Build Your Wellbeing Toolkit
Posted by Samantha Lawson, Jan 07, 2021
The new year is naturally a time for taking stock, reflecting on what’s happened and what’s yet to come. We get it, it’s HUGELY tempting to sign up to the idea of an extreme fix that will speed you towards your goals. But let’s be real, has this EVER worked? For anyone? If it did, we wouldn’t have to talk about it every January. So before you sign up for that juice cleanse or tell yourself you’ll write a novel by February, allow us to present new year the NEOM way: Small steps that add up to inner and outer wellbeing for YOU. A toolkit, if you will, to help you work practical things into your already-great life. The goal is wellbeing, so there is no unattainable peak to reach, and NO GUILT.
Sleep
Why it’s in our toolkit:
We are obsessed with sleep at NEOM. It has such a big effect on all aspects of our health and life, from mental health to gut health to how your skin looks and more. We just can’t be our best selves while we’re running on empty.
Small steps to try:
- Rejig your routine so you can fit in a shower or bath around an hour before bedtime, which gets the circulation going and helps release heat from your body, allowing it to drop to the ideal temperature for sleep more easily. Boost this activity with a foam or body wash that contains those sleepy essential oils.
- Skip spicy food in the evening. Spice might be delicious but it’s a ‘wake-up’ call, along with sugar and caffeine. Switch these stimulants for something milder, wit herbal tea and cinnamon instead of sugar.
De-Stress
Why it’s in our toolkit:
At its worst, stress can be totally paralysing on the emotions and can have an effect on our physical health. HOW can anyone be expected to reach new goals if underlying stress is holding us back?
Small steps to try:
- Tackle overwhelm by tucking away a few techniques you can call on when the panic starts to hit. Remind yourself that SMALL is actually BIG, and find one small win from your day to focus on. More on that here.
- When you finish work for the day, switch up the scent in your home. Make sure whatever candle or oil you choose is different from your workday, and choose one containing naturally relaxing ingredients like Brazilian rosewood, lavender and jasmine.
- Make time to show yourself kindness – this can take whatever form you like, but we love closing the bathroom door, lighting a candle and treating our skin with a nourishing, natural oil.
Energy
Why it’s in our toolkit:
It’s great to take small steps, but sometimes (often?) you also need to fuel that fire. We love a latte in the morning, but small steps to boost your natural energy will see your general levels lift over time, and leave you with room to take on those extra things on your goals list.
Small steps to try:
- Swap out your usual products for a ones with uplifting essentials oils that give a natural energy boost – something with zingy citrus-like grapefruit and vitamin C will nourish skin and give you extra, natural pep for the morning - like the hand balm.
- Switch up your routine so that your exercise is in the morning rather than the evening. Before you panic about ANOTHER thing to do in the morning, we don’t mean your full workout. Just ten minutes of stretching, Hiit or a quick walk will do wonders for your rest-of-day energy levels and cortisol (stress) management.
Happiness
Why it’s in our toolkit:
The reason for setting all those January goals is that often, we think they will make us happy. Poppy Jamie (founder of Happy Not Perfect) told us on our Podcast that is a steady, moving upward line. It’s a journey, not a destination, so simply choosing wellbeing will help you feel your glow get stronger.
Small steps to try:
- Pay attention to your gut – trying to take in more fibre and trying something fermented like kefir will boost your gut health, which is shockingly where 95% of our serotonin (the happy hormone) is produced.
- Do something that you KNOW makes you happy – watch a favourite TV show or call the friend who makes you laugh the most.