As another round of lockdown looms, we share some self-care tips to help you navigate these uncertain times.
There’s a post circulating on Instagram right now, and its message is a simple one: “It’s ok to feel overwhelmed right now.”
It’s little wonder this post has been so popular, it’s the shared sentiment of many Aucklanders as we await today’s announcement on what the next few weeks hold.
But whatever comes next there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that prioritising our own wellbeing, mental and otherwise, is what will help us to get through.
Here, we share our top tips on how to put self-care front and centre this month.
GET PLENTY OF REST
Recent studies around the restorative powers of sleep have cemented it as one of the key pillars for optimum wellbeing. Not only is a good night’s sleep beneficial for your mood, weight management, immune function and disease prevention, but getting enough rest may be the closest thing there is to the fountain of youth.
It’s called beauty sleep for a reason – your body repairs itself while you snooze, which leads to a long list of benefits for your appearance. Skin makes collagen while you sleep, which means skin is plumper and less likely to wrinkle. In addition, the blood supply to the skin increases overnight, meaning you wake up to a more glowing complexion.
Wondering how much sleep you need? For adults aged 26-64, the minimum sleep requirement is seven to nine hours per night.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN
Now’s the perfect opportunity to overhaul your skincare regime, check your beauty products shelf lives (and do away with any expired items), and treat your skin to some much needed TLC. Building a skincare regime is easy at Mooi Skin, we have everything you need to keep your skin looking its beautiful best from home – check out our online shop here.
If you’re in need of a little pampering, discover our five favourite face masks to help nourish, hydrate and detoxify your skin now.
- For Ageing Skin: Cosmedix Bio Shape Firming Mask, $95
- For Dry or Dehydrated Skin: Aspect Dr Hydrating Mask, $65
- For Congested Skin: Cosmedix Detox Mask, $98.90
- For Dull-looking Skin: Cosmedix Glow Mask, $99
- For Delicate Eye Area: Societe Peptide Eye Mask, $19
NOURISH YOUR BODY
While the stress of not knowing may have you hankering for sweet treats (and wine!), opting for fresh, seasonal fare is your best bet at keeping winter bugs and viruses at bay, while improving your mood and achieving a glowing complexion.
From June – August, the following fresh produce is in season and therefore readily available in New Zealand:
Vegetables: Avocado, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, fennel, kale, kumara, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radish, rhubarb, silverbeet, spinach, spring onion, swedes, tomatoes, watercress and yams.
Fruit: Feijoas, kiwifruit (both colours), lemons, limes, mandarins, oranges, passionfruit, persimmons and tamarillos.
Earlier this month, Mooi Skin welcomed naturopathic skin therapist Nicola Wood to the team, who specialises in working with people battling chronic health conditions to find their ‘healthy’ once again.
Check out our interview with Nicola here and book in for your comprehensive skin consultation with Nicola online here.
SWITCH OFF
If the first thing you do upon waking is scroll your Instagram feed, and the last thing you do at night is clear your DMs, then chances are you’re in need of a digital detox.
While it’s important to stay informed of our situation and keep up-to-date with government announcements, taking time off social media and networking sites will work wonders for your mental wellbeing. The internet is rife with opposing theories and misinformation, so monitor your screen time and ensure your information is coming from a trusted, government-backed source.
Detoxing off devices is especially important at night, as blue light can affect our circadian rhythm and melatonin (our sleep hormone) – both of which are crucial in achieving a good night’s sleep. If you must use your cellphone in the evenings, consider wearing blue light glasses to help protect your eyes.
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness can simply be defined as one’s ability to be fully present in the moment. To practice mindfulness means to be engaged in what we’re doing, free from distraction or judgement, and experience an increased awareness of our thoughts and feelings without being caught up in them.
It’s multitude of benefits are far-reaching, including everything from decreased stress and sadness, to finding it easier to focus and feeling happier overall.
A number of apps like Headspace, Calm, The Mindfulness App and Buddhify will all help you to teach you how to live more mindfully.
