What do you plan to give up for 40 days?
From Ash Wednesday 6th March to the 18th April is the season of Lent, a time of reflection and preparation before the celebrations of Easter.
The 40 days of lent can be a long time to give something up – So instead of not doing things why not do something new and positive to push yourself and achieve more, make time for yourself and do the things you keep putting off!
You can start a new healthy lifestyle for Lent, prioritise making more time for yourself and book a pamper session, we can all take care of everyone else’s needs but hardly give a thought to ourselves. Self-indulgences should be high on your priority list. Practice gratitude and compose an exercise programme and healthy eating regime which will be more likely to stick.
Why not start small? Make a plan with your goal in mind and schedule one or two days a week as your ‘focus days’ get used to doing these regularly so they become a habit. Keep it up and see how much progress you made after the full 40 days. Making small changes makes big results. Pick 3 important things on that list and focus on those. Writing goals down and telling friends about them makes them more achievable.
Some ideas of lifestyle changes beginning with Lent
• Be Kind – do a good deed a day. You’ll make someone’s day and probably your own too. Win Win
• Give – give something away every day. Share the love and you’ll feel lighter too.
• Switch off for an hour or so and be pampered with a massage or facial or book a pamper party where everyone switches off at the door and focuses on the here and now – www.zenpamper.co.uk
• Meditate for one-minute, focus on your breathing – deeper breaths allow more oxygen into your lungs aiding detoxification which helps to de-stress and improve your posture.
• Book a facial which is key to achieving clear skin. Facials remove dead skin cells and clogged pores. As well as being relaxing, it’s a good confidence booster. When you look good you feel good, which can put a spring in your step.
• Make a list of positive affirmations and for every negative thought think of 3 positive ones.
• Write down 5 things you’re grateful for every day – research shows after 1 week of this practice you can have benefits of being happier for upto 6 months.
• Use less plastic – take your own bags when shopping, eat in when you can, recycle and compost.
• Only use the internet for 30min each day – detox from computer devices, the dangers of radiation from these devices can damage our health.
• Eat mindfully – sit down, put away your phone, chew your food and don’t rush. You will have better digestion and greater satisfaction with your meals.
• Strengthen your body – move daily whether you’re doing a class or not, try not to sit down all day. Walk to work, take the stairs, do 15 minutes of stretching.
• Decrease the amount of caffeine your drinking gradually.
• Drink more water – Have a glass of water each hour and double it for every workout and coffee you have.
• Drink 2 cups of green tea https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html
• Eat Vegetarian or Vegan one or two days a week – which tends to be lower in fat and higher in fibre.
• Decrease your amount of sugar – too much sugar may increase your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and inflammation.
• Eat whole foods – swap white foods for wholemeal or less processed options.
• Read a book everyday – for mental stimulation, improving your memory, focus and concentration.
• Go to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual – get your 7-9 hours a night. At least two of them before midnight – they’re worth double. Massage can help improve sleep not only by reducing muscle tension but helps you achieve deeper relaxation.
Hope these give you a few ideas and help you to get off to a good start into the month of March. When you reach the fortieth day you should reward yourself for a goal accomplished. Congratulations – why not have a little pampering as a reward, treat yourself to a professional manicure, new hairdo, or the indulgence of a hot stones massage. For a list of all relaxation treatments which can be delivered to the comfort of your own home, why don’t you book a Zen Pamper Party