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Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of work, work, and more work? If you’re like many of us, you may find yourself taking work home with you, even on the weekends or holidays (vacations). But did you know that taking work home with you can actually be detrimental to your mental and physical health? In this blog post, we’ll discuss the importance of leaving work at work and why taking time for yourself is essential for a healthy lifestyle.

Are you guilty of taking work home with you? It’s all too easy to pick up that work call on the weekend, answer that email right before dinner, or vent to your friends and family about the latest drama. If you’re self-employed then it’s even more likely that your work overspills into your home life. But it’s important to remember that taking work home with you can be detrimental to your wellbeing and performance. It not only takes away your much-needed downtime, but it can also have a negative effect on the quality of your work.

Take Time Out to Recharge

When you think about it, working forty hours a week is already taking up a huge chunk of your life. Don’t let those hours start to spill over into your other time, or you’ll find yourself spending most of your life working and have no time for yourself. That kind of lifestyle can lead to burnout, and when that happens, your productivity will suffer. So, take care of yourself and make sure you get the rest and mental recharge you need.

Take Time Out to be Creative

Bringing work home can be a real productivity killer and can lead to more stress at home. It’s difficult to be creative when you feel stressed. Creativity is key to success in the workplace. It helps us come up with new ideas and solve problems. If you don’t have access to your creative juices, you won’t be able to perform your job to the best of your ability. So if you want to be able to tackle issues more effectively, it’s time to keep work at work.

Take Time Out to Pursue Your Passions

If you’re not taking the time to do the things you actually enjoy, you’re not setting yourself up for a happy life. Not only can unhappiness lower your motivation and creative output, it can also make you feel stuck in a rut. So don’t let your work take away your precious time for self-care. Make sure to switch off your phone or keep it away from you for at least one day a week so you can make room for the things you love.

It can be pretty hard to resist the urge to keep working after you’ve clocked out for the day. Especially if you’re self-employed. It may feel like you can catch up so you’ll be in a better place to start the next day. Unfortunately it very rarely works out that way. The work simply expands to fill the time. It’s essential therefore to draw a line between work and home life. If you let work invade your personal space, it’ll lower your productivity, creativity and stop you from doing the things you love.

You’re not defined by your job and you need to make time for yourself. By taking the time to unplug from work and do something for yourself, you’ll be able to reset and come back to work with a clearer head and a fresh perspective. So take a break, enjoy yourself, and remember the importance of leaving work at work.

This month we’re going to be taking a look at our work life balance. As you make your way through your career journey, it’s important to remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as reaching your goals. Don’t let tunnel vision take over and forget to make time for yourself. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing how self-care can help you achieve a better balance between work and life.

Self-Care Helps You Avoid Burnout

The number one reason you need to make self-care as important as your career is that if you don’t take time for yourself each day or week, this could cause burnout. Burnout is a condition of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that can take months—sometimes even years to recover from. Battling a bout of burnout in the middle of your career will be much more time-consuming than just taking time for your self-care in the first place.

Even if you don’t think that you’re anywhere close to burnout at the moment please add that self-care now, while you can. Life doesn’t wait until it’s convenient to pile onto us. It can take just one more thing, large or small, to tip the balance. If you’re lucky enough to be in a good place at the moment, then use this time to build in good habits. If things are not so rosy, then it’s even more critical to start taking time for yourself.

Self-Care Helps You Stay Healthy

Self-care isn’t just about avoiding burnout – it’s essential for keeping yourself healthy. If you don’t allow yourself enough time for sleep, exercise, and preparing and eating the foods your body needs to keep itself going it can leave you feeling run-down and taking more sick days than you’d like. Of course, when you are taking regular sick days from your career, this will be much more damaging than taking the time you needed for yourself in the first place.

Self-Care Gives You A Brand New Perspective

Taking some time to relax and recharge can be a great way to clear your head and give you some alone time with your thoughts. Having a different perspective can help you tackle challenges and come up with solutions that can help you avoid any issues before they even arise. This is a smarter way to work, so you can focus on the things you want to do, rather than having to fix something that you could have prevented.

Taking care of yourself is just as important as your career as the work itself. Self-care helps you stay healthy and prevents burnout. Plus, it gives you time to be alone with your thoughts, which can help you solve problems and get a new perspective. All of that can help you get ahead in your career and put you on the path to success. It also gives you the resilience to be able to support co-workers and family when they need a little help.

It’s important to remember that you are in charge of your own life. Taking the time to prioritise self-care can have a huge impact on your work life balance. Whether it’s taking a break during the day to go for a walk, or setting aside time to plan your week ahead, small changes can help you reclaim your life and achieve a better balance.

With the nights drawing in and the weather changing, you may feel like you need a pick-me-up. We can take a natural approach to boosting our happy hormones. There are plenty of ways to naturally elevate your mood and improve your overall wellbeing without having to rely on sugary snacks or caffeine. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best natural hormone boosters.

The feel-good hormones in your brain, like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, can be released through various activities, exercise, and even the food you eat. These hormones can give you a boost in mood and energy, and can be triggered naturally. Here’s what you should know about these happy hormones and how to get your levels up without any extra help.

Different Types of Happy Hormones

Before discussing how to boost them, it helps to know exactly what feel-good chemicals you are focusing on. Here are some of the most common ones to consider:

Serotonin – affects our mood and emotions. It’s one of the happy hormones related to reducing stress and anxiety. If you struggle with insomnia or high levels of anxiety, then activities like exercise and being outdoors in sunlight can help boost your serotonin.

Dopamine – is the happiness hormone. Whenever you experience something that brings you joy or pleasure, chances are it’s because dopamine has been released. Think of it like a reward system for all the fun stuff in life – good food, a good movie, sex – anything that connects to the reward system in your brain.

Endorphins – are our natural pain relievers. They give you a burst of energy and happy feelings. Exercising releases this hormone and is a great way to get your endorphin fix.

Get Enough Exercise

Naturally, moving your body and getting exercise is going to be a great way to get those happy hormones naturally. This of course includes endorphins, but it can release dopamine and serotonin as well. The great thing is that it doesn’t have to be any specific type of exercise. While it is often referred to as the “runner’s high”, you don’t have to go running just to release endorphins. Move your body in any way that you find enjoyable, from taking a dance class to going on a hike.

Meditate

If you’re looking to de-stress, find more gratitude, and set some intentions, then meditation is the answer. It’s a great way to clear your head and recharge your energy, plus it releases serotonin. Start with short sessions and build them up as you feel your way into it. There are many ways to meditate so try a few and find the one that works best for you and your own lifestyle.

Participate in Activities You Love

Doing things that bring you joy can really help boost those happy hormones. Shopping, cooking, socialising with friends, watching something funny on TV, getting creative or artistic, playing with the dog – there are so many ways to get those feel-good chemicals flowing.

There are lots of natural ways to boost your happy hormones and elevate your mood. From exercising to meditating to just doing something for the joy of it, there is something for everyone. Give one or more of these natural hormone boosters a try and see if it makes a difference in your mood and overall wellbeing.

With the right time management and organisation strategies, you can make the most of the autumn months. Set yourself up for success with a productive routine. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring some of the best time management tips for the autumn season. These tips will help you to manage your time a little better, not just to get more work done, but so you also have downtime and plenty of rest.

Explore a New Productivity Method

If you’re looking for a way to maximise your productivity this autumn, why not try something new to you? Time blocking is a great tool to help you manage your time more effectively. Basically, you set aside specific blocks of time to focus on one task at a time. You do as much as you can within that time frame, then move on to the next. That way, you don’t get stuck in a rut of spending too much time on one thing and not enough on another.

Another helpful method is to prioritise your tasks and take on the most important ones first. That way, you can get the hard stuff out of the way in the morning and keep your motivation up throughout the day.

If you already use these suggestions day to day then simply pick another idea that resonates with you.

Focus on One Task at a Time

Now is the perfect moment to ditch the habit of multi-tasking. Instead concentrate on one single job at a time. It may seem like multi-tasking is a great way to maximise your time and get more done, but it’s actually not. When you’re trying to do multiple things at once, you don’t give your full attention to any one task. This can cause your focus to be constantly shifting and make it harder for you to get things done. It’s better to finish one thing before moving on to the next. It will help you get it done faster.

Reassess Your Daily Schedule

Have a look at your daily routine and see whether there is anything you can do to make it more efficient. Consider when you wake up and when you go to sleep. Would a new morning routine work better for you this autumn? What breaks do you get during the day, how do you spend your down time? Are there certain tasks that take more time or focus? Make a few tweaks here and there to create a more productive routine.

The more you understand about your work and your schedule, the better you’ll be at making the most of your time.

Plan in Downtime

Autumn is the perfect time to remind yourself that rest and self-care are essential – not just for your physical health, but for your productivity too. Instead of cramming your schedule with work, please plan in some downtime too. It will pay you back anyway. Taking a break can help you stay productive and energised. I see too many clients who don’t take sufficient rest and their bodies rebel. Please don’t let that happen to you.

With a few simple time management tips, you can make the most of the season and set yourself up for success. From organising your schedule to planning downtime, these tips will help you stay productive and make the most of your time. So don’t wait – start planning your productive autumn routine today.

As the days get shorter and the chill of autumn sets in, many of us begin to feel a sense of restlessness and nostalgia. This autumn, why not try your hand at meditation? Meditation is a healing practice that does so much more for you than just helping you to clear your mind. It can make you more mindful and grateful for the good things in your life, reduce stress, and help with your focus. Whether you’ve been curious about the practice for a while or just want to find some inner stillness, now is the perfect time to explore the many benefits of meditation.

Know Why You Want to Meditate

Before you dive into your meditation practice, take a moment to set your intentions. Ask yourself why you’re doing this – what is motivating you to embark on this journey? It will be difficult to sustain a practice if you just do it because someone else said you should or because it was recommended to you. You need to really understand the benefits and your own personal reasons for making meditation part of your life.

Intentions and Progress

Take a few moments to get in touch with your intentions before you start meditating. What changes do you want to make? What challenges are you facing? Writing down your thoughts beforehand can help you get the most out of your meditation session. Take a few moments to really think about what you want to get out of it and you’ll be ready to start.

Create a Relaxing Meditation Space

Creating a calming, comforting and quiet spot for meditation is key for a successful practice. Whether it’s a corner of your bedroom or a dedicated home office, having a tranquil area to unwind and relax is essential. Preferably this should be a space where you won’t be interrupted by other family members or inquisitive pets. Make sure to choose a spot that’s comfortable and inviting, so you can get the most out of your meditation sessions.

Combining Mindfulness with Meditation

Meditating has many benefits, but combining it with mindfulness can really take it to the next level. Instead of trying to clear your mind, mindfulness encourages you to simply observe and accept whatever is happening in the moment. You take note of your thoughts and feelings without any judgment or criticism – just let it all pass by. It’s a great way to really get the most out of your meditation practice.

Add Meditation to Your Regular Routine

Just giving meditation a few tries won’t do much in the long run. It’s best to start your practice right away and keep it up regularly. Start small – just a few minutes a session – and increase it a little as you get more used to it. That way, you won’t feel too overwhelmed. Add it to your new autumn morning routine.

The autumn season is the perfect time to take a break from the hustle and bustle of life and give yourself the gift of relaxation and inner peace. From setting intentions to mindful meditations, there are plenty of ways to get started. So why not take a few moments each day to reap the many benefits of meditation this autumn? You won’t regret it!

Autumn is a great time to get organised and optimise your schedule to make the most of the season. The days are getting shorter and the weather getting cooler. Cosy up and stay on top of your schedule. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to optimise your autumn schedule and make the most of the season. Read on to find out our top tips for getting organised this autumn!

As the fall season rolls around, it’s a good time to take a look at your habits and routines and make a few adjustments. You don’t have to overhaul your entire schedule, but some simple small changes can make a world of difference in terms of productivity, health, and overall happiness.

Keep What’s Working, Ditch What Isn’t

As summer winds down, it’s time to take a look at your routine and figure out what’s working and what’s not. Maybe you’ve been trying out some new habits, or maybe you’ve just gone along out of habit. Either way, now’s the time to decide what you want to keep, and what you want to leave behind. It’s all about doing what you enjoy, or what works for you and getting rid of the rest.

As you go through your day, take note of the things you’re doing and why. Ask yourself, “Is this helping me in some way?” If the answer is no, then it’s probably something you can cross off your list.

“Helping me” can be something that’s gives you a “pick me up”, something that is “me time”. It doesn’t all have to be about work and productivity.

Set Some Health and Life Goals

Think about all the things you want to achieve this week, this month, this season. What are the goals that make you feel excited and motivated? What do you want to do to improve your health and wellbeing? Get creative and be detailed – why do you want to reach these goals? Does the thought of them fill you with joy? If not then question are they really your goals or someone else’s? How will it feel when you finally reach them?

Getting a better grasp on the reasons why you’re striving for a certain goal or dream can really help you stay committed to it. Knowing why you’re putting in the effort can be a great source of motivation.

We have some major holidays and festivities coming up and a little planning now can help reduce stress when they roll around. Planning now can also help you budget for them.

Review Your Annual Goals

Take a look ahead and plan for the future. Whether it’s a yearly or 5-year plan, mapping out your goals can help you get the most out of your autumn and beyond. With long-term objectives in sight, you can craft a strategy to reach them, including adding relevant tasks to your calendar. It’s a great way to make sure you’re staying on track and staying ahead.

Schedule More Self-Care Time

Remember that autumn is also about rest and recharging, so you want to schedule in time for self-care and relaxation. Please make it a priority to find time in your hectic schedule for some self-care. Even if it’s just 10 minutes of pampering yourself during the day, or reading a chapter from your favourite book before bed, make sure to give yourself that time to recharge. It’s crucial to attaining and maintaining better health.

Now that you know how to optimise your autumn schedule, you can get organised and make the most of this season. With a little bit of planning, you can make sure that you have enough time to enjoy all the wonderful things that autumn has to offer while still managing your work and other commitments. So, go ahead and start planning your autumn schedule today!

If you’ve aimed at becoming a morning person but haven’t been able to stick to it, autumn is the perfect time to give it another shot. With the new season comes a fresh start and renewed motivation to make positive changes in your life. As the days get shorter you also don’t have to rise so very early to be up with the sun. In this blog post, we’ll discuss ways to make the transition to becoming a morning person easier and how to make the most of your mornings. So, if you’re ready to take on the challenge, let’s get started!

Allow Fresh Air In

As soon as you wake up, let some fresh air in. Open all the windows, just a small amount if it’s a cold day, a little wider if it’s still warm. This is also a good time to go outside on your patio or garden for a few minutes if possible.

Fresh air can boost your energy levels, even before you’ve had your morning coffee or tea. Step outside and take in the calming, revitalising scent of the crisp morning air. If you have journaling as part of your morning routine, why not bring your journal outside? You can sip your morning cuppa and write while you enjoy watching the sun rise.

From a chinese medicine viewpoint, that fresh air is one of the building blocks for our qi, the energy that will sustain us throughout the day. Starting the day with fresh air gets us off on a firm footing.

Wait Until Later to Check Your Phone

Ditch the urge to check your phone as soon as you wake. It can be tempting to see what notifications you missed overnight, but this tends to be too distracting and can lead you into a state of stress.

These notifications instantly take you away from your peaceful morning. You start overthinking, and it makes it hard to focus and be productive. To be a morning person, you need to start as calmly as possible.

A Hot Cup of Tea

Start your day off right by hydrating with a cup of tea or a glass of hot water with lemon. Avoid carbonated drinks and especially energy drinks, and instead opt for something more soothing for your throat. For an extra boost of hydration, drink a big glass of water first thing in the morning.

Set Your Intentions for the Day

As you start to wake up and get your day going, set your intentions. It’s like making a to-do list, but it’s also about how you want to feel and the mindset you want to have throughout the day.

What type of day do you want to have? What is on your to-do list? How can you make today better than yesterday? Journaling can be a great way of doing this.

Prepare for the Morning the Night Before

Making the switch to becoming a morning person can be tough, but there are a few things you can do to make the transition smoother. One of the most important steps is getting ready the night before. That way, when it’s time to get up, you won’t be scrambling to get your morning routine in order. Take some time to create a soothing evening routine that will help you wind down and make sure you get to bed at a reasonable hour. That way, you’ll be all set for a successful morning.

Autumn is the perfect time to start your day off right and become a morning person. With the right attitude and a few simple steps, you can make waking up early a breeze. Start by setting a consistent wake-up time and gradually adjust it to an earlier hour. Find ways to make your morning routine enjoyable and relaxing, like listening to music or stretching. And most importantly, have patience with yourself and don’t give up if you have an off day. With some dedication and practice, you’ll be a morning person in no time!

As the days get shorter and the temperature starts to drop, it’s easy to feel the season shifting from summer to autumn. But this time of year doesn’t just signal a change in the weather. It’s also the perfect opportunity to make a change in your mindset. With the changing of the leaves comes a chance to turn over a new leaf in your life. Autumn is the ideal time to do it. It’s an excellent time to start shifting your mindset and developing habits not just for your body, but your mind and spirit as well. Read on to find out why!

Take Time to Move to a More Positive Mindset

After the yang period of the summer you could be feeling a little burned out and a bit down. Adding more comfort and relaxation into your life could help you find a more positive outlook. Autumn is the perfect time to chill out and take a step back to figure out what’s really important to you. Those peaceful moments where you can just be yourself, free of stress or worries, are when you can really get clarity on what changes you want to make. So give yourself some time to relax and find that inner peace.

Rest and Recharge

Earlier seasons in the year call for more productivity and getting more done. Autumn on the other hand, is a time adjusting your routines and allowing space in your schedule for rest and recharging. This can be related to your mindset – about how you feel about work, finances, and your daily life. It’s not about changing your lifestyle, just taking a break from the hustle and bustle and allowing yourself to recharge. Get a little more rest, enjoy time with friends, and don’t push yourself to be productive every second of your day.

Setting Your Priorities

Prioritising in life is essential for developing a positive outlook and making meaningful changes. As you cultivate a growth mindset, you’ll naturally feel more upbeat and be better able to set meaningful priorities. Ask yourself what matters most to you, and what you can let go of. Don’t try to keep hold of everything or you risk overwhelming yourself.

Autumn is the perfect time for a mindset change. Take advantage of the cooler temperatures, beautiful colours, and cozy atmosphere to create a new path for yourself and your goals. You’ll be so glad you did!

As summer fades into autumn, it’s time to get creative with your exercise routine. The weather might mean you can finally enjoy cooler, autumn workouts without the heat or you may need to move indoors if it’s gotten too chilly. Autumn/fall can be a great time to switch up your exercise routine and focus on more gentle forms of movement.

Take Advantage of the Autumn Days

Take advantage of the perfect weather! Autumn has those great in between days that are not too hot and not to cold. It’s the ideal time to get outside and get moving. Make the most of exercising out in nature when you can. Whether its walking, rambling, cycling, taking your dog for a walk, or even visiting a nearby forest. Make the most of this season, watch the colours change and enjoy the great outdoors!

Try New Forms of Outdoor Exercise

Why not try something new and see what other forms of movement you like? Maybe you are familiar with cycling or walking, but you don’t have much experience with rambling. You might surprise yourself and find that tai-chi is actually really enjoyable. You may find that running outside, rather than at the gym, is surprisingly therapeutic. There are so many options out there, so why not see what you can discover?

Experiment with Home Workouts

While there are many different forms of movement you can do at home, autumn is ideal for conditioning and gentle movement. It is a time when you slow down, enjoy more rest, and treat your body with care. This is in tune with the normal cycle of yin (cooling and slowing) following yang (warmer and faster). Maybe you start doing yoga or Pilates in the morning, or you enjoy an evening stroll with your other half.

Head to the Gym

If all else fails then renew your gym membership and get the most out of the equipment available. Not only will you get a great workout, you’ll also have the chance to meet some new people. Now with Covid rising in so many places, I would suggest that you check out the ventilation in any gym you use. What is their air quality like? Ideally they have ventilation and some form of air purifier to keep you safe. With so many people breathing heavily in an enclosed space it’s easy for viruses to pass around. Personally I’d try the alternatives above before opting for the gym but we’re all individual with our own needs and priorities.

Now that you have the perfect autumn fitness routine, you can look forward to the cooler weather and all the amazing activities that come with it. With the right mindset and a little bit of motivation, you can make the most of the season and stay fit and healthy. So get out there and enjoy your autumn workouts as part of your new fitness routine!

As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, it’s time to slow down and savour the season of autumn (or fall for our friends across the pond). From the changing colours of the leaves to the cozy evenings spent indoors, autumn offers us the chance to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to make the most of the season of autumn and why it’s important to take the time to slow down and enjoy the beauty of the season.

Review your goals and intentions

As we head towards a new season, it’s time to set your sights on the future. Reflect on the past few months and use them as a source of motivation and inspiration for the changes you want to make and the mindset you want to adopt. Take a look at your list of goals and ideas from earlier in the year. See what you’ve already achieved. Don’t be afraid to cross off the things you’re no longer interested in.

Don’t forget to set intentions that go beyond your to-do list. Think about the changes you want to make in your life and how you want to adjust your mindset. To help you slow down, why not pencil in some self-care or rest time, or commit to establish a healthier work-life balance? If you missed me last week that’s because I had to find myself some self-care time when life handed me a curve ball. I would only cancel clinic hours in very extreme circumstances but I can (and did) cancel my blogging to reset my own work-life balance.

Work Smarter, Not Harder

This season, take care not to burn yourself out! Take some time to cultivate habits that help you work smarter, not harder. Achieving more with less effort is all about optimising productivity and time management. Time blocking, focusing on one task at a time, and tackling the toughest tasks first, are all great ways to make your workday more efficient. Don’t worry about the number of items on the to-do list (there will always be too many), just make sure that you pick out those tasks that are going to move you forward.

Commit to More Self-Care and Downtime

As autumn rolls around, it’s a great time to make a few adjustments to your daily routine for some much-needed self-care and rest. Sure, you still have responsibilities. If you take a closer look though, you’ll probably find some time to fit in a bit of R&R. Do you typically work a little past finishing time, or are you dedicating too much time to busy work that isn’t really a priority? If so, it’s time to make a change and prioritise your own well-being. We need to take care of ourselves now so that our immune systems can carry us through the winter months.

Head Outside Every Day

Take advantage of the mild autumn weather and head outdoors. Nature and fresh air have so many healing benefits, and it’s the perfect time to take advantage of them. This is the time where you are past the summer heat wave, but winter frost hasn’t started yet. Explore the outdoors near your home.

We’re about to enter another season of change. It’s the perfect time to take a break and enjoy the beautiful colours and cooler temperatures. So, take a moment to slow down and savour the autumn. Enjoy the crisp air, the changing colours, and the sense of renewal that autumn brings. It’s a time to reflect, to appreciate, and to be mindful of the beauty that surrounds us.