8 Simple Ways To Stride Through The New Year

So, you've celebrated the New Year with a little too much champagne and your new year's resolutions' list seems endless and uninspiring. Discover how to hack your way through January with our 8 top tips.

1. Make time for yourself

We are all a little guilty of working too hard sometimes, but whether it is work, family or life that is keeping you up, be sure to book in activities or block out a few 1-hour slots in your diary each week. Whether it's a spinning class, time for reading, or just a walk in the park to take in some fresh air, making time for yourself is important to ensure you feel grounded and can manage any of the hurdles that life throws at you.

 

2. Ensure sleep is a priority

Sleep is also another crucial factor we must prioritise in our daily lives. Thinking you can run your engines on a few hours of sleep each night is a lesson you might learn the hard way when you can't keep your eyes open during that important meeting or just keep missing your alarm and your plans for the day ahead.

It is recommended to have at least 8 hours of sleep everyday to function at your best. Some people need more, and trust us, if you can get more - take it and run with it! We are sinners for planning appointments and activities in the early mornings during the weekends, so perhaps it's time to sit back and relax more when you get the chance. 

3. Work on your breathing

Meditation can take as little or as long as you want it to. Sometimes closing your eyes for just two minutes and focusing on your breathing can make all the difference.

In a world so reliant on technology, there are even some incredible apps that help you stay focused on breathing and meditation. 

Headspace is one such app that wants you to 'live a happier, healthier life with just a few minutes of meditation a day'. 

Pinterest is another excellent source of breathing and stretching routines that can take as little as 10 minutes each morning to get you in the right zone.

4. Carve time for exercise

Nothing beats the feeling after you finish a gym session or smash your personal best on that 5k run. If you can't squeeze in a full workout, remember you can always split your workout throughout the day. A 15 minute morning yoga or strength training workout with some dumbells followed by a 20 minute cardio routine after work could do the trick. 

Instagram and YouTube are a great source of workout routines. Some of our favourites include Pop Sugar and Cindyyufitness.

5. Immerse yourself in creativity

Taking a quick walk through a local art gallery, fair or museum can work wonders for your soul by focusing your creative energies. Your local newspaper is a great source of art exhibitions happening in your local area. 

Surrounding yourself with art, particularly in your workplace, has proven to create the right synergy for a more efficient workforce. You can easily build up a mis-matched gallery wall of your favourite artworks which is on-trend, or choose a range of affordable art print sets for a cost-effective way to spruce up your office.

6. Take Up A New Hobby

Sketching, colouring or painting are also hobbies that could prove a rewarding creative outlet, relieving stress and settling your mind. Whether you choose to listen to your favourite songs, or sit in the quiet while getting creative is up to you. 

7. Invest in scents

Scents can work. Whether it's a relaxing eucalyptus candle, or some floral decanters, placing beautiful scents in your bedroom, bathroom and entrance hallway means you can feel refreshed and take a breather. After all, who doesn't love beautiful smells to revitalise the senses?

8. Review your to-do-list on Sunday

Want to make your week a success and stop playing catch up every day? Begin your "working week" on Sunday and round up the most important tasks and appointments on a Sunday. Using a simple calendar app or even Google Calendar could mean you pave a new path for yourself and become more efficient, while ticking off the urgent tasks so you can relax a little more and leave more time for yourself. 

At Mode Prints, we are obsessed with stationery and note-taking. Have a look at our range of Personalised Note Cards and Notebooks to get inspired to make more lists and notes in 2019.

We hope you enjoyed our guide to encompassing more health and wellness into your daily routines to lead a healthier and happier life this year.

What do you do to stay healthy and focused? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you!