If you’re ready to make some changes to your bathroom, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some top tips on creating a spa-like bathroom in your own home.

Neutral and Natural Colors

When you enter your bathroom to relax, the last thing you need is to be greeted by bright and bold colors. Stick to white, beige, cream, and similar colors. They will naturally relax your brain, rather than stimulate it.

There are many options for these colors with natural materials too. For instance, you’ll find them in tiles, natural stones, and wood. Add a few plants to your decor and your bathroom suddenly becomes part of nature.

Stand Alone Bath

It only takes a glance at a stand alone bathtub to understand why it says luxury. Stand alone tubs are an integral part of modern spa design, easily adding a touch of class to any bathroom. If you want to change your current layout to a stand alone tub, you’ll need the help of a plumber.  

You may need some underfloor work done in your bathroom to get the tub that you want fitted. It can also help if you have a private view out of your bathroom window to take in some scenery while you use your new tub.

Heated Floors

There’s nothing quite like getting out of a shower or bath and stepping onto heated floors. They’re especially wonderful on a cold day. Heated floors work well in a bathroom not only because they can help you to feel cozy but it’s also the room you’re most likely to always have bare feet in.

It can take time to install a heated floor but bathrooms are often quicker than any other rooms in the home because they’re smaller.

Soft Towels and Rugs

If you’re going to create a spa-like retreat in your own home, the last thing you want is towels that feel like cardboard. Make sure you stockpile thick, soft towels to keep on hand in your bathroom. It can also make a huge difference to use soft rugs across big floor space.

This is a great way to keep heat in the room but it’s also heavenly to feel a soft rug beneath your feet when you want to unwind.

Declutter

It can be difficult to relax in a cluttered room. If your bathroom is full of products, kids toys, and more, you may need to find some storage solutions. Keeping all of the clutter out of sight in storage drawers could transform the room and allow it to feel like a haven instead of another dump site.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, take a look at the others.

The post How To Create a Spa-Like Bathroom appeared first on InstantELLA.

There’s no need for you to fight the blues without a battle plan. Here’s a look at some simple ways in which you can get rid of stress quickly.

Deep Breathing Techniques

The best way you can go about relieving stress is by doing some deep breathing exercises. Find a quiet space and then sit or lie down comfortably and try to focus on your breathing patterns. 

Let the air waft through your nose as you breathe deeply and allow your abdomen to expand. You can then exhale very slowly through your mouth.

All you have to do to find a deep sense of relaxation is to do this several times, you will get a blissful feeling that reduces stress hormones.

Laugh a Little

Sometimes you shouldn’t wait for a joke to come to you, you should go to the laughter directly. There is something called laughter therapy and it’s easy to get and free of charge. 

Turn on Netflix, YouTube, or whatever streaming channels you choose and watch a funny video or a movie. Listen to a comedy podcast or watch a comedy special, all of this helps.

When you take a proactive approach to lightening up your mood you are triggering endorphins and this will help to promote a sense of well-being. You can also take 9-Me-BC Solution to help increase your dopamine levels and enhance your mood.

Get Moving

When you’re feeling stressed you probably want to curl up in a little ball and sink into your bed or go into a dark corner and ruminate about the current disasters that are unfolding in your life. The last thing you want is to go outside and exercise. 

However, you will find out that the simple act of just taking a walk or going for a jog can go a long way in squashing stress and making you feel more alive again. You’ll have your boxing gloves on and be ready to take on your challenges with a little more force all because of getting a little exercise. 

Remember that workouts don’t have to be one-hour sessions. They can be short and sweet and this will still release those crucial endorphins you need to start relieving that stress.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is done by tensing certain muscle groups in your body and then relaxing them. You can start with your toes and then work your way up to your head whenever you can. 

It’s an easy technique to do and you can find videos that will direct you on YouTube. Try it and see how it works to kick back your stress and help you to feel relaxed.

The post 4 Ways to Relieve Stress Quickly appeared first on InstantELLA.

1. Soundcloud

SoundCloud is a popular digital music streaming channel that enables musicians to connect with fans and provide songs directly to listeners. Although the music-sharing platform has a paid subscription service, you can access the website and listen to some tracks for free with a basic account. SoundCloud gives artists the option to mark certain songs as free for download. Downloading music in various formations is also possible. Visit SoundCloud and hover your mouse over the player; find out if a song is free by clicking the three-dots button. A download file menu may appear if the particular track is freely accessible.

2. The Internet Archive

Free audio lovers will find the Internet Archive useful. This nonprofit digital library contains an endless catalog of books, music files, software, websites, and even more. You can browse Archive.org and filter music according to criteria like genres. Not every song on the archive is free, but in cases where such possibilities exist, you will have numerous file formats to download your favorite songs for free.

3. ReverbNation

Users can filter their searches on ReverbNation to find free songs. The music hub was launched in 2006 to help musicians, producers, and fans collaborate and communicate. ReverbNation is one of the best avenues for listeners craving better connections with new stars. On that note, you can leverage ReverbNation’s built-in player to listen to their favorite songs, or better still, search the site’s free mp3 collection to download tracks.

4. Torrent sites

The Pirate Bay, Torlock, and Soundpark are popular examples of music torrent websites. P2P file-sharing technology provides an alternative gateway to download music. Millions of internet users rely on torrenting sites and applications to download music, movies, and games. However, this can be tricky and unsafe if you don’t follow the best practices. Torrenting without virtual private network (VPN) protection can expose you to risks, including fines and other legal consequences. If you don’t mask your IP, law enforcement agencies may catch you if you download copyright-protected content on peer-to-peer networks. Consider learning how to torrent safely with reliable VPN apps. This will reduce your cybersecurity risks and shield you from surveillance agencies spying on your online activities.

5. YouTube audio library

YouTube constantly updates its audio library with new tracks. The platform is especially convenient for digital creators in the YouTube space who need royalty-free songs to include in their videos. All users with YouTube accounts can download a limitless number of songs for free on YouTube Studio. YouTube’s audio library policies also allow creators to use their tracks in monetized videos. There is no requirement for attribution unless the downloaded song carries a Creative Common License. 

6. Musopen

Musopen is among the top go-to free music download platforms. The website has tons of classical songs, sheet music, and digital records that are free, legal, and royalty-free. Stream your favorite songs online or download the track freely for any purpose. The feature is listening to online radio with your PC or mobile device. Find free music for downloads in different ways: search the website according to the music composer, instrument, format, and time. Another means to access free music downloads is to leverage Musopen’s music discovery tool, which allows you to filter tracks by mood, such as sad or relaxing, and license type. Users can’t preview songs without logging in but can also download virtually any media file with an account. Free-account holders may download a maximum of 5 songs of standard quality per day.

7. BeatStars

BeatStars platform offers music download services, too. One amazing feature of this website is users can access newly added songs and sort them according to the genre, mood, instrument, beats per minute, and energy level. However, you may have to subscribe to your favorite artist’s profile before accessing their music download link for free. But this is worth the effort since you don’t have to pay a dime to entertain yourself.

Music is an integral part of entertainment, and knowing where to download yours is important. Hopefully, you’ll consider the platforms stated above for the desired outcome. 

The post 7 Ways To Download Music For Free appeared first on InstantELLA.

A healthy life is certainly a blessing, and one must not waste it by ignoring their health and getting into activities that can ruin one’s perfectly good well-being. No matter if it is about focusing on your objective or about working on your goals, health is one of the factors that will contribute the most to your success.

Aso, if you have been worried about your health lately and want to make changes in your life, here are some of the things that you can do to make sure you improve your health in the best possible manner.

Exercise Regularly

From our childhood, we are trained and taught one thing, which is to exercise. Living an active life and exercising regularly will help your organs to work efficiently as well as it will also enhance your physical health in a great manner.

The reason behind this is that working out for a certain time at least three times a week will certainly maintain your blood flow by improving your heart and lung health and will also help you to strengthen your muscles and bones.

All you would need to do is to just wake up a bit early from your everyday routine to go for a run outside in the block. Or you can join a gym to go for proper cardio and work out under the instruction of a professional trainer and hit the spa for some massage therapy in Spring Hill, FL.

Get Good Night’s Sleep

One of the major reasons why many people are facing mental and physical health issues these days is because they are not getting enough night’s sleep which is necessary for a human brain to work properly and keep other parts active.

According to many health officials and doctors, it is really essential for every human being to get at least eight hours of sleep at night in order to function throughout the day properly. However, most people do not pay much attention to their sleep cycle, which leads to health issues later.

For this you can buy a comfortable and puffy adjustable bed frame, which can help you to relax as soon as you lie down. Since your bed can be one of the major reasons for getting proper and comfy sleep, getting such beds will help you a lot.

Something else that can help when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep is your bedroom decor. If you can make it calming and comfortable by installing reclaimed white wood plank decor on the walls and using neutral tones and plenty of natural light, the entire room will be a lot more conducive to sleep.

Try to Eat Healthily

According to many pieces of research, your body or your health is actually 80% what you eat and 20% of your activity or workout plan. This means that whatever you put in your body throughout your day has a great impact on your health.

For this very reason, it is really necessary to eat your food with the right amount of nutrients that your body needs to maintain all its functions. Eating a balanced diet and ditching excess fats and junk food from your diet will certainly change the way you live.

However, some aspects of health cannot be managed through diet alone. Vision, for example, is highly susceptible to conditions that may develop silently, such as glaucoma. Even with the best nutrition, routine checkups with an eye doctor are essential. Early detection and intervention, including glaucoma treatment, can prevent irreversible vision loss. Regular eye exams allow doctors to monitor your eye pressure, detect early signs of disease, and recommend appropriate treatments, giving you peace of mind while protecting your eyesight for the future.

Maintaining overall wellness requires a combination of healthy eating, physical activity, and preventive healthcare. By addressing all three aspects, you create a proactive approach to long-term health rather than waiting for problems to appear.

Quit or Limit Smoking

All those billboards and health advertisements that advise you to quit smoking tobacco are certainly right. If you are a heavy smoker, this might be one of the major barriers between you and a healthy lifestyle.

This means that if you want to make healthy improvements in your life, one of the main things is to first try to quit or at least limit your smoking habits. You can try to replace your regular tobacco cigarettes with e-cigs or vapes, which are less harmful to your lungs and will help you to quit easily.

In addition to that, you should also try to limit your alcohol habits if you drink. For this, you can also join a rehabilitation center or a professional doctor or therapist who can help you to get on the right track without getting into much hassle.

Take Time to Relax

Just like other important systems in life such as earning money, getting an education, learning new skills, it is also really necessary to take out some time from your hectic daily routine to relax and calm yourself down from all the chaos that has been happening around you.

We all live quite a busy life nowadays, and most of the time, we are so caught up in our work and achieving the goals that we forget that the real purpose of life is to stay healthy and keep ourselves relaxed so that you have the energy to complete your tasks.

For this, you can try taking a weekend off from work or school every once in a while, or you can also try to go to peaceful places or spend holidays with family and friends to keep your mind off of all the hustle of everyday life.

Manage Your Stress

With all the activities that we have to perform every day to maintain our lifestyle, it can sometimes get a bit overwhelming for us and our nervous system to keep up with everything without having a breakdown.

Since no one’s life is perfect and we all have to deal with a fair share of stress at least once in our life, it is really necessary to know the right way to manage all your anxious thoughts and chaotic situations, to maintain your sanity.

This means that to maintain your mental health, you can try to do relaxing exercises such as yoga, cardio, Zumba, etc., to calm your mind, or you can also try seeking professional help if you think that things are getting a bit out of your hands lately.

The post 6 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Health appeared first on InstantELLA.

I’m not sure how many of you reading this, like me, have often thought about whether to even make resolutions at all. We make resolutions, sometimes grand ones – losing weight, going vegan, pursuing a different hobby or learning a new skill, getting a passport, travelling the world (you get the drift) – only to break them or worse still not even give them a go before giving up all together. And that’s ok.

This year, I told myself, I’d take my time formulating resolutions.  Instead of a time bound, tangible resolution (like  the ones mentioned above), I’d concentrate on improving my mindset, daily – as means to an end – which will assist me in achieving those time bound, tangible, resolutions. Here are some of my practical New Year 2020 Daily Resolutions:

Patience & Perseverance

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In this generation of instant gratification, having patience is a rare commodity. As a mother, wife & professional I get impatient & frustrated easily & on a daily basis when things don’t go my way or when tasks are not completed in the time, I consider appropriate. My anxiety doesn’t help either. So, I’ve decided to be more patient with myself for starters. I’ve decided to do my best, be less judgmental of people & situations and persevere.

Obedience, Without Question or Grumbling

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Someone asks you to do something that you know sounds like a good idea. But you don’t think too hard about it, you don’t obsess over what could potentially go wrong or how you’d look doing it. You just say ‘Yes’ (with a smile). Oh! How liberating to not worry for once & just go with the flow. For me, it’s so far helped saved time, precious time I am no using to focus on creativity & execution.

Generosity of Time, Words  & Actions

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Easy to understand, difficult to execute. Being generous with my deeds & an attitude of service to others has always come naturally to me. It’s the generosity of my words & time that I have a tough time with. I’m naturally feisty & sarcastic. And as for time, it’s the one thing none of us have control over, so I am very stingy with mine. But though we can never control – shorten or lengthen – real time, we can also choose how & who to spend time with it and therein lies the generosity. I’ve been more generous with my time lately & it’s brough blessings on my family, friends & me!

Avoiding Acedia

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Acedia, often linked to sloth and the 7 Deadly Sins is “a state of (mental) restlessness and inability either to work or to pray”. Whereas Sloth is physical laziness, Acedia is more of a metal indifference, intrusive thinking & purposefully distracting yourself with other thoughts or actions, to avoid dealing with a priority. Controlling the mind is harder than controller the body.  I’ve been guilty of this several times, knowingly or unknowingly, throughout the day. But now that I know what Acedia is, I’m more aware & guarded in my thoughts. It’s given me more clarity to prioritize my tasks throughout the day & directly helped me complete the right kind of work in the right time.

Withdraw from Social Media

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I cringe at this one as I’m sure most of us do. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube & the rest have taken over our lives! Wrong. We’ve let them. Locking up phones, temporarily deactivating Social media accounts & taking technology detox breaks are good ways to break the habit. Recently however, someone suggested another solution & probably the best one I’ve heard so far. Every time I think of reaching for my phone, I look at the person next to me instead & engage with that person, instead of a lifeless phone!

An Attitude of Gratitude

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Toughie! Many scientific studies have show than being more grateful has a physical impact on a person’s brain and is directly linked to increased calm and a sense of happiness. That said most of us are ungrateful throughout the day, when we complain about our jobs, problems with co-workers, the never-ending chores at home, even simple things like not enjoying our meals, or the way we spend our relaxation time. Complaining & being dissatisfied are symptoms of an ungrateful attitude. But everyday is a new day and an opportunity for me to be more grateful!

Open-Mindedness

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Simply put, this involves being receptive to a wide variety of ideas, arguments, and information. For me being open minded means, giving up the impulse to react immediately and instead listen & assess a person or situation. It was hard at first, because my natural habit to interject kicked in. But I realized open-mindedness  is a necessary ability in order to think critically and rationally. It’s a habit that needs to be cultivated and we’re never too old to develop good habits

Daily examination of Conscience

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This practice is common as a spiritual exercise among Christians and Catholics and involves a ‘review of one’s past thoughts, words, actions, and omissions for the purpose of ascertaining their conformity with, or deviation from, the moral law’. I don’t see why this practice cannot be applied to our secular, everyday lives. It would be similar to a year end job review – what are the things we did well, how can we improve on our weaknesses and what would the outcome look like? I believe a daily examination of conscience will eventually make me a better version of myself. This doesn’t only have to be for adults, so I’ve also begun to help my kids adopt this positive practice.

If you enjoyed reading this or agree that some of these are areas of concern for you that could use a bit of improvement, feel free to adopt some or all of my New Year 2020 Daily Resolutions for yourself. Remember to be kind to yourself. I for one, am rooting for you. Good Luck!

The post 2020 Unconventional New Year’s Resolution for a New Decade appeared first on InstantELLA.

Hans Christian Anderson said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” This has been seen in the lives of elderly patients as they come alive by the memories conjured by old melodies. As people age, their minds and souls continue to grow and become trapped in failing bodies.

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Music can help improve the quality of life of elderly people limited in their daily activities. Between their home health care and struggles to do daily tasks older people who are stuck in their homes have lost much of their joy to live. Music can help them regain that passion for life. Here are a few ideas for incorporating more music into your loved one’s life. You can even incorporate these ideas into a plan with top home care agency in Philadelphia.

MP3 Player

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It won’t take you long to load 100 of your loved one’s favorite songs on to an MP3 player or another music device, but it will afford them hours upon hours of enjoyment. Whether it is big band music from the early 1900s or 80’s hair bands, it shouldn’t take too long to find the music that speaks to their soul. If you have a little bit of time to devote to the project you could even make a list of their favorite songs to put on their music device.

Play an Instrument

If your loved one used to play an instrument, even if it was back in their 20’s, don’t be afraid to pull out the case, dust it off and play a few notes. It may surprise you how quickly they remember how to play. If they’re willing you could sign them up for lessons so they can continue increasing their talent.

By encouraging them to play you are helping them to have another hobby that they can invest themselves in and feel like they are progressing instead of just sitting around the house. If they are confident enough you could even do a mini-recital with them so they can show their friends and family the progress they are making.

Concert

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If you hear that a concert is coming to town that they might enjoy then get tickets and take your loved one. A sit-down concert is a great way for them to get out of the house and enjoy something they love.

Music While Exercising

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If your loved one has an exercise routine that they do each day, even if it is just walking around the house, try playing some of their favorite upbeat songs from when they were younger. The music may help them to keep better balance as they focus on something else while walking. It could also help them to remember days gone by so be prepared to listen to some riveting stories from before you were born. Some senior living community facilities implement this practice into their daily routines to help facilitate memory support.

Drumming workshops music to residents’ ears

You will be surprised at how alive the music makes your elderly loved one feel and act. They will have stories to tell and melodies to hum along with as they enjoy a blast from their past.

The post Music and the Elderly appeared first on InstantELLA.

But sometimes, we take advantage of our body and don’t treat it with the right care, whether that’s rest, a session with a Massage Therapist Near Me, or a combination of a few different things. We keep pushing it to carry out tasks for us without checking in to see how it’s doing. There are a few specific body parts that we use daily and need to pay a little more attention to the signs that they give.

Feet

5 Important Things Your Feet Are Trying to Tell You about Your Body

How often do you use your feet? Even if you aren’t a marathon runner, your feet still do a lot of work for you. Carrying you to and from work, around your house, to walk the dog, to chauffeur kids around, you get the picture. So, how much do you really pay them any attention?

Foot care is so incredibly important if you want to keep doing these daily tasks. So, here are some things that you can do to care for you feet:

• Wash and dry them. (Drying them is especially important for preventing fungal growth.)
• Massage them.
• Pay attention to aches and pains, and take a break.
• Wear comfortable, non-restrictive footwear.
• Trim your toenails.
• Let your feet breathe. Take your shoes and socks off for a little time every day.
• If there are any abnormalities like lasting blemishes, aching joints, or other problems with your feet, go see a podiatrist.

Hands

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We probably do as much or more with our hands than we do with our feet. Whether you do manual labor, type on a computer all day, take care of children, etc., your hands are the ones doing a lot of the work. So, what do you do to care for your hands?

Here are some things you can do to make sure your hands get the attention they need:

• Wash your hands. This is for your hands, but also for the benefit of your entire body and keeping germs away.
• Protect your hands. Use the right kind of gloves when doing yard work or exercising.
• Massage them and moisturize them.
• Pay attention to aches and pains, and again, take a break.
• Trim your fingernails regularly.

Back

7 Ways to Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season

Your back is part of your core, without that, you aren’t going to be able to do much. So, here’s that question again – what are you doing to care for your back?

Back pain and problems with the back can be debilitating and can keep you from doing the things that you enjoy or even the basic tasks you need to accomplish each day.

Here are some ways you can give your back a little extra care:

• Get a massage. (Seeing common theme here?)
• Take a bath.
• Avoid lifting heavy things (or know your limits at least).
• Use correct posture when exercising.
• Pay attention to aches and pains, and take a break.
• Get a good bed and pillow.
• Stretch daily.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

Do what you can to give your body the extra care that it needs. After all, it does so much for you, so make sure you take a little time to give back.

The post 3 Parts of Your Body That Need More Care appeared first on InstantELLA.

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most hectic and stressful time of year for many.

It can require many trips to the mall, lots of driving, working overtime before the holidays, and also dealing with a lot of family members and friends.

It can leave you a bit frazzled and tired, and make you wonder if you are going to make it through it ok and have the energy to start of the New Year on a good foot.

Something that you can do to make sure you don’t turn into the Grinch this holiday season is to give a little time back to yourself and find some time to relax and rejuvenate.

Here are seven ways to pamper yourself this holiday season so that you are feeling your best and everyone is getting a well-rested and well-cared version of you.

Take a nice long bubble bath

If it seems like your schedule is jam-packed but you know that you need just some time to yourself a bubble bath is a great way to do that while still being able to fit everything else in.

The nice thing about a bubble bath is you can do it at home anytime you have time, especially in the evening when all the kids have finally gone to sleep.

Throw in a couple of bath bombs, light a few candles, and allow yourself to relax into the warm bubbles.

Get a manicure and pedicure

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Just like getting your hair done, getting a mani and pedi feels luxurious while not necessarily being so.

Take a couple gal pals with you as well who may need a break from their hectic lives as well.

Just make sure if you are diabetic to ask your foot doctor if it’s ok to have a pedicure done to make sure you don’t get any kind of harmful infection.

Get a massage

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This is one you can do alone or with your significant other, in fact, it could be a special Christmas gift for you and them as well. Booking yourselves in for a swedish massage in St Louis Park, MN or another more relevant area can be a great way to loosen up any tension and unwind together.

It’s something you both will love and help you to both relax and feel pampered as well.

Rent a hotel room

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If you really need to get away from it all drop off the kids at their grandparents and take a staycation at a local hotel.

That way you don’t have to worry about cooking and cleaning, and you can just lounge around all night and sleep in in the morning.

Eat some yummy treats

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This is one that is great when you really can’t take any time away from everything that is going on but can instantly perk up your mood and let you indulge.

Get your hair done

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No one will question you if you say you have to get your hair touched up and it will also help you to look fresh and fabulous for your all your holiday parties.

Get your hair washed, cut, and styled and maybe even add a blowout.

You will be able to relax while everything is getting done and take some time away from the everyday tasks on your list.

Take some alone time

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Even if it just means going to the grocery store alone or taking a walk alone, take some time to be with yourself and you will find it will help to center you and find a little bit of peace and quiet.

The post 7 Ways to Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season appeared first on InstantELLA.

But you don’t have to let those tendencies take control. When you find yourself on a downslope, take some time to do something that can boost your mood and help you feel good all day, regardless of what might still be the same. Who knows, your choice to do something different may bring new people or opportunities into your life!

Wear a Feel-Good Outfit

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Maybe you have a dress code to keep, or maybe you’ve been doing the bare minimum for your appearance the last few weeks. Change things up by wearing something that you feel good in. You may need a day of jeans and sweatshirts to break things up, or go the other way and dress in your most killer outfit to put some bounce in your step that other people will be sure to notice.

If you have a dress code to stay in line with, splurging on a new blouse or pair of boots could be just the thing. And for those with uniforms, jewelry like rings or earrings could be just enough to brighten your attitude. It’s all about feeling comfortable in your own skin and remembering what makes you feel like you.

Take Extra Time with Personal Hygiene

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You probably routinely take a shower, wash your face, and put on deodorant before you head out the door, but it may be time to slow down and really focus on yourself with your personal hygiene. Part of feeling good and healthy is also feeling clean and taken care of.

So take a few more minutes standing under the hot water or take a relaxing bath instead. Take extra care when brushing your teeth, as recommended by the Family Dental Health Center, and don’t forget to floss thoroughly. You can also change up the products you use to brighten your smile, alter the smell of your hair, or bring out the color in your eyes.

Take a Vacation From Your Phone

Ask Yourself – Could You Survive Without Technology?

Life is already busy without the constant lure of apps and notifications from your phone, but media has become such a necessity that it’s easy to forget to detach from it. You may not be able to take a full vacation right now and leave your phone behind, but don’t sell short the small ways you can get some separation.

You can designate your work breaks as technology free, leave your phone at home for an hour while you take a walk outside, and even turn your phone off overnight. Sure, it will be difficult at first, but the break will allow you some time to yourself to think, breathe, and spend quality time doing what you love with people you love.

Balance Healthy Foods with Tasty Treats

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Some people may tell you eating healthy is the only way to make your body feel good when it comes to food, but extreme food restrictions can also be adding to the monotony you’re feeling. Likewise, too many comfort foods can leave you feeling lethargic, out of shape, and even sick.

Feeling good about your diet is all about balance. So run to the grocery store and pick up a box of your favorite cookies for snacks, but don’t forget your favorite fruit or vegetable, too. Be mindful about how many times you eat out and start making a habit of drinking more water.

Indulge in some Personal TLC

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You may need more than just fresh fruits and clean hair to boost your mood, so some pampering may be in order. Visiting a spa or similar institutions is not only a retreat for your body but you can find some relief for your mind as well.

If you experience a lot of stress, schedule a massage to work out the knots in your muscles. If you do a lot of intricate work with your hands, go for the manicure, and if you’re always on your feet, a pedicure is for you.

And if you don’t want to spend extra time and money outside of the house, a good old-fashioned nap or sing-along to your favorite album can do wonders.

Assume the Good

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A big part of how you feel is mental, and with all the breaks in the world, it can still be hard to come back to the drawing board without being annoyed or reacting negatively as you have in the past.

Make an effort during your personal retreats to think positively. As you watch the people around you, try to assume the good. Is the intern badgering your coworker or sincerely trying to figure out the right way to do a task?

As you practice giving people the benefit of the doubt, and even choosing to be amused rather than frustrated about things out of your control in those small moments, a feel-good way of thinking will begin creeping into the rest of your day as well.

The post How To Feel Good In Today’s World appeared first on InstantELLA.

Rachelle Jones, a women’s health doctor, helped us put together this list of self-care tips that you can do in 10 minutes or less each day.

1. Read

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Take a few minutes to read something that you enjoy. Whether it’s a magazine, a book, a blog, or even a Facebook post, take some time for yourself to sit and read something just for you.

2. Call a Friend

How long has it been since you called your best friend? Call a friend up and talk to them for a few minutes. They’ll appreciate the sentiment and you’ll feel much better after you’ve caught up with your friend.

3. Color

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Adult coloring books are all the rage. Pick on up for yourself, or print off a few pages of one, and sit down for 10 minutes or less and just color. Don’t worry about anything else except the task at hand. Let your mind relax as you fill the colors in the lines.

4. Meditate

All you need is a few minutes to meditate. Meditating is especially helpful if you find yourself stressed out or anxious a lot. If you’ve never meditated before, try a guided meditation with an app like Calm. This will help you clear your mind and focus only on yourself while shutting off all other stressors.

5. Listen to Music

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Music can be very therapeutic. Find a quiet place to relax for a few minutes and listen to two or three of your favorite songs. You’ll feel rejuvenated after this much needed break.

6. Go Outside

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Go for a short walk outside – or just go outside and sit. Allow the air to refresh your senses and clear your mind as you take in the nature that surrounds you.

7. Journal

Find a quiet place and write down your thoughts. Journaling allows you to reflect on everything that you are thinking and feeling. Write down positive thoughts and things you are grateful for.

The post 10 Minutes To Better Self-Care appeared first on InstantELLA.