Cost of Living: Mindfulness
This week, we reflect on the importance of taking some time for ourselves despite the cost of living crisis and how it can benefit us on an emotional level.
Date:
15 September, 2022
Take a breather
We all know that the cost of living crisis isn’t going away. It’s a stressful time for a lot of families across the UK, with the price of everything seeming to spiral upwards at an unprecedented rate. From groceries to the energy warming our homes, there’s hardly anything that isn’t impacted. The pressure of finding a way to manage our household finances can seem overwhelming, but there are things we can do to manage our mental wellness.
This article highlights some moments that we can take for ourselves that won’t break the bank. With the cost of living crisis a worry for many, it’s important we don’t get snowed under by fear and anxiety. It’s all too easy to dismiss mindfulness and wellness but they’re powerful. Our brain governs everything about us, take care of it and it’ll take care of us.
The down low
You might be asking, “what the heck is mental wellness?” It’s an abstract term that doesn’t really have one definitive meaning. For some, it’s talking about how we feel emotionally overall, for others it describes the general feelings we have as we go about our daily life. Regardless of how you interpret it, the concept of looking after our mental state is more important than ever.
Let's get on with it zen
We don’t need to book a five-star wellness retreat to get the good vibes rolling. We can take advantage of the space we have at home. Creating a self-care regime is the first step in promoting a sense of positive mental wellness. It might sound silly, but spending time looking after our body can have a significant impact on how we feel on the inside. Not everyone likes the same thing, so create a process that’s about the main attraction – you!
Put your back into it
As we said earlier, keeping active really does help create a balanced state of mental wellbeing. Even if you’re not the sportiest person, there’s an exercise for everyone out there. Check out Joe Wicks on YouTube, he has lots of free workouts that’ll get your blood pumping in your living room.
Free online meditation and yoga tutorials are options, which can help improve our mental wellbeing by relaxing both the mind and body. There’s a reason why yogis are always so chill and full of peace and love. Start out with basic routines, as you don’t want to hurt yourself – a trip to A&E isn’t exactly relaxing!
Pamper yourself
There are lots of ways in which we can pamper ourselves, but some top picks might be: making homemade face masks, listening to favourite music, a DIY manicure, making time to do favourite things whether that’s reading or arts and crafts, or just watching some entertaining TV.
DIY spa experience
Light a candle, throw a bath bomb into the tub and maybe enjoy a cheeky glass of wine. Pop a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door and you’re sorted for a couple of hours.
Home is where the heart is
There are lots of fun mindfulness activities that we can do without leaving home.
Home spa experience. Light a candle, throw a bath bomb into the tub and maybe enjoy a cheeky glass of wine. Pop a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door and you’re sorted for a couple of hours.
Date or mate night. Have a cinema experience at home without the annoyance of missing part of the film because you need a bathroom break, or the added cost of sweet treats. BBC Good Food shows us how to make homemade popcorn.
Cheap and cheerful nights in. Staying in and cooking saves a couple of pounds, but it’s also a great way to unwind. Once your belly is full, sit back and watch some telly or play a board game.
Read a book. Can anything beat sitting back with a good book? Pick up something new, or try out a genre that you’ve never read before. Check out a site like Goodreads for some suggestions.
Clean home. Kim and Aggie would be proud if we spent some time tidying our homes. It doesn’t have to be drastic, put away any clutter that’s collecting dust and other bits that are a potential eyesore. Instagram darling Mrs. Hinch shares her top cleaning tips here.
Competition: THREE retailers – Wilko (£50 Gift Card), Currys (£50 Gift Card) and New Look (£100 Gift Card).
Wilko has been a family favourite for more than 90 years, starting out in Leicester as a single store. In 2022, there are now 400 stores in the UK.
Currys is a leading retailer of technology products with 830 stores across eight countries. They strive to help their customers through expert knowledge on the latest electronic knowledge.
New Look is one of the UK’s biggest names in high street fashion – “the number one destination for clothes that suit all body types”. Founded in 1969, the retailer giant offers a great selection of style choices for a reasonable price.
To enter, send us an email at [email protected] and tell us about your favourite way to relax.
T&Cs apply - here
PLEASE NOTE, THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
Resource bank
Keep the good vibes going by looking into resources that promote wellness. Please note, most of the apps are free with optional in-app purchases: