OA’s Guide to Quick Pick-Me-Ups When You Need ‘Em
From time to time we can all use a pick-me-up. That’s life, right? Up, down and all around. Luckily, even the smallest of things can make all the difference for your happiness. Just taking some time out to give yourself a little me time and things might be bouncing back quickly. So, we’ve collected together a roundup of ten ways you can change your life – or at least feel better – because there’s no time like the present!
1. Breathe Deep
Deep breathing may sound a little too simple, but in actuality the basic act can help to give your body a much needed detox. The more oxygen you breathe in the better your body will be at absorbing vitamins and nutrients, meaning your lympathic system is ready and raring to go!
If you find deep breathing works for you, then you might want to read a little further into the art of pranayama, a form of disciplined breath control which has all kinds of benefits for the mind as well as the body.
2. Smash up an avocado for better hair and skin
Avocados aren’t just useful for guacamole recipes, but can also be mashed up to create a smooth and creamy treat for your skin and hair. The oils in avocados have nourishing and moisturising properties that’ll do just as good a job as those luxurious store bought cosmetics.
3. Dust off your old bicycle
A lot of people own bicycles but quickly get out of the habit of using them. Dust off your bicycle today and get outside! Not only will you be able to see the world around you in a different way, cycling is a cheap and exciting form of exercise.
4. Plant something indoors
It’s very fulfilling to watch something you’ve planted grow, so why not expand your garden indoors with a few herbs or vegetable plants. By planting them indoors there’s less chance they’ll get forgotten and they’ll also act as summery pops of vibrant green hues in your kitchen.
5. Crush up a strawberry to whiten your teeth
Small changes to the way we look can really alter our mood, so why not whip up this quick and simple whitening toothpaste recipe with one strawberry and some baking soda?
6. Treat yourself to mojito cupcakes
We should all endeavour to eat healthily, but there needs to be some fun and self indulgence from time to time, so make yourself a batch of these delicious yet quirky vegan mojito cupcakes as an afternoon snack.
7. Learn to meditate
Those lucky individuals that have perfected the art of meditation swear by its stress relieving properties and the way it puts both your body and mind at ease. Even if you can’t dedicate much time to it, start by simply stopping and having a quiet look inside instead of panicking about everything else around you.
8. Have some fun with cocktails
We’d never suggest that alcohol is an answer to your problems, but after a long week sometimes an ice cold drink is the only thing that really hits the spot! Not only do cocktails taste great, they’re really fun to make and you can be picky about your ingredients to make sure they’re extra special and worth it. Give these garden cocktails a swish!
9. Download a healthy eating app
As more and more people invest in the latest fancy smart phones, both developers and brands are creating even more applications to cater to all aspects of our lives. Unsurprisingly, apps focused on improving our eating habits and lifestyle are hugely popular, so take a look at our picks of the apps that leave you with no excuse but to treat your body well.
10. Make a homemade latte
Coffee in modertaion is a great way to put a spring back into your step and lift the spirits. Make yourself a super super creamy latte in a fancy glass instead of just going through the motions and sloshing your regular brew into an old mug. We guarantee it’ll look and taste much better.
Don’t you feel better already from just fantasizing about one of the above treats?
image: Kara Allyson
