Charles Dickens once famously wrote, “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Currently, the world is facing a once in a lifetime event that is affecting a lot of people in a multitude of ways. Each day brings new information that can become overwhelmingly tiring and it is becoming more apparent that we could all collectively use a deep breath, a cup of tea and a hug. However, Mr. Dickens also did say it was the best of times, so with that being said, it’s always important to find the good in the bad, wait for that light at the end of the tunnel and continue to stay positive. In these tough times, it is important to prioritise your #selfcare and #selflove so that you can maintain a healthy mind and body. This is why the team at Apéro has compiled a list of 5 ways that we like to take care of ourselves (and also pass the time) from the comfort of home.

 

REFLECT

When we reflect, we are in tune with our mind, body, and soul. Take the time to reflect on all the positive things in your life daily and remind yourself and others to be grateful, even in the hardest of times. Every morning, start your day off positively by taking a moment to reflect on 5 things you are grateful for. We for one, are grateful for our family and friends, a warm and cozy place to call home, the ability to walk and talk, the opportunities that are available and so much more. When we are feeling grateful we shut out anxiety, and when we put positive thoughts into the world we attract positive things back.

MEDITATE

When we take the time to meditate, we trigger our comfort systems and the thing about meditation is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Take 10 minutes of your day to sit down in the sun, begin by focusing on your breathing and recognising everything that you can feel, see, hear, touch and smell. If your mind wanders, that’s okay! 

“Thoughts are little pockets of stress that your consciousness encounters as it descends into calm. When you ‘think’ them, the pockets of stress are released.” ~ Sarah Wilson, First, We make the beast beautiful.

WORKOUT

It is no secret that exercising can help the body and mind in many ways, as it releases endorphins that can relieve stress, help calm anxiety and reduce fatigue whilst increasing energy levels. Now we're not saying you have to run a marathon (around your house) to release endorphins and see the improvements. There are ‘fun’ ways to exercise too, for example putting on your favourite music and dancing around your living room. Or if you want to kill two birds with one stone, try yoga, where you can meditate and exercise at the same time. We find learning TikTok dances is also a fun form of physical activity and potentially going viral is a #bonus.

PAMPER YOURSELF

You deserve to light a candle, soak in a bath, put calming music on and sip on tea (or wine)! Whilst you’re at it, treat yourself to a face mask, moisturise your body and put on your softest dressing gown. Taking the time to pamper yourself will leave you feeling fresh and calm.

“The greatest gift you could give yourself is a little bit of your own attention.” - Anthony J. D’Angelo

WORDS OF AFFIRMATION 

Now this one is really important and often overlooked. Many people, in fact, don’t realise just how much they speak about themselves negatively (and we are guilty of this too) or don’t recognise how they shine brighter than they know. Next time you say something negative about yourself, try and remember to say three things you like about yourself instead. If you get into this habit, you will realise that the things you like about yourself (even if it’s the little things) far outweigh the bad. Don’t let your insecurities and others stop you from finding peace and love with your natural, amazing and beautiful self.

 

The Apéro Team xx