January Health

I love this picture. It sums up where we are right now, with so few options in a winter lockdown.

And it suggests freshness and health as well as comfort and treating ourselves. We need both of those right now.

With the pressures of being at home all the time, homeschooling and working, short days - though thankfully getting longer - and the strange isolation of not socialising, yet for many, spending hours talking to people and working on a screen, its more important than ever to try and find ways of staying healthy and motivated.

These are the simple things that I think are important...

Make time every day for 'me' time. Time to plan, think, process, away from phones and devices. Early in the morning, before anyone is awake is a wonderful time for this. Have a mug of hot water and lemon, do some yoga stretches or whatever you enjoy, then make a coffee and journal or meditate. Or simply enjoy the coffee and the quiet and let your mind focus on the day ahead and how you're feeling, right now. Writing is a great way of processing thoughts and feeling. No need to share them with anyone. And a short exercise routine early in the day is a great way of kick starting your body and mind.

Also make time in the day to get outside, especially if you're working infront of a screen. Walk and breath in the air and let your thoughts wonder. Sunlight is essential for the production of Vit D and we're at risk of being low in this, so getting outside is really important as is a good Vit D supplement. Its also thought to give added protection against the effects of Covid. Another good reason for taking it. I buy it in liquid form and put a few drops in juice in the mornings for the family. The kids don't know its there. Easy!

Also make sure you drink enough water. When we're at home all day it's easy to overload on tea and coffee. Intersperse these with herbal tea or hot water and lemon which is a great neutraliser for the body. Lack of hydration can lead to lethargy, tiredness, headaches and a misleading sensation of hunger. Keep an eye on the number of coffee cups building up and add some mugs of peppermint tea or glasses of water to the pile!

Amidst all this mindfulness, those lovely macaroons in the photo are a reminder of life's little treats and there's nothing wrong at all with a good film and some sweet treats on a dark evening.

As the famous saying goes, 'this too will pass'. And no doubt it will. So remind yourself of your worth and the need to take care of yourself and of others, and be kind, drink coffee and water, eat greens and chocolate, write it all down,doodle, daydream, read, walk, run, plan for when it's all over, and enjoy the quiet days because one day you might wish some of them could come back.