Looking for some easy-peasy ways to ease the January gloom? These 'Daily Retreats' are a great way to upgrade your days and help to make the coming week immeasurably better. From smiling at strangers to switching your ‘phone off, we’ve compiled seven simple tricks to bring joy and boost your wellbeing (you’re welcome)!
{Monday} Reclaim your evening and resist the temptation to trawl through your Instagram feed 'til your eyes bleed (usually circa 1.30am) by defiantly switching your 'phone off at 8. Try setting an actual, 'old school' alarm clock and put your 'phone waaaaay out of reach so you're better equipped to focus on the moment - enjoy dinner and a proper conversation with your loved ones, watch (as in, actually watch) the new drama the office is raving about, listen to a podcast or dive into the novel that's been lurking by your bedside for an aeon.
Your bed should be reserved *strictly* for nocturnal activities, so keep a {pillow mist} and silky {eye mask} close to hand and set yourself a bed time... by making the 'going to bed' process ritualistic, you'll naturally start to wind down and be mentally eased towards slumber. Trust us, you'll sleep better and gain so much more than you may think you're losing.
{Tuesday} Our nutritional health expert {Karen Cummings-Palmer} is evangelical about the benefits of starting every day with hot water and lemon. "It's really good to 'alkalise' your system first thing upon awaking. Have warm (NOT HOT - it's bad for your teeth) water with a little bit of lemon which, although it might seem counterintuitive (lemon being citric), helps to up your body's pH levels and ward against development of disease." I like to follow mine with a quick 'shot' of almond milk laced with The Nue Co.'s {Plant Protein + Gut Food} to help feed the 'good bacteria' and jump-start my digestion.
{Wednesday} It's hump day which means everybody's in peak 'grouch' mode. Time for a little experiment... instead of using your book/newspaper/headphones as a human force field, why not flash a smile at someone who's particularly squashed, or pay a compliment to somebody beside you on the bus. A bright smile or a kind word are powerfully disarming − instantly dissolving even the most hardened carapaces. Think about how great you feel when somebody you've never met takes time to tell you that they love, love, LOVE your shoes? Today's the day to go forth and spread joy!
{Thursday} Ready for the weekend? Rev your engines with a five minute, brisk {body brush} before you hit the shower. Encourage circulation and lymphatic drainage by brushing towards the 'central' lymph nodes − in the groin, armpits and the base of your neck. Use sweeping circular motions to work your way up the legs, bottom, midriff − then from wrists to shoulders and across your chest but BE GENTLE − you're stimulating skin, not shredding it. Hop into a hot shower and use a luxurious, invigorating shower gel to optimise the energising benefits (we LOVE Therapie's {Boost Hair & Body Wash}), then finish with a quick cold rinse to help you dive into the day.
{Friday} You've made it! You're overdue some major relax and unwind time so pour yourself a glass of wine or brew a pot of tea while liberally lacing a hot, steamy bath with one of #TeamCB's soul-soothing soaks. Whether you reach for Kai's Hawaii-infused {Bathing Bubbles} − the olfactory alternative to two weeks on a paradisiacal isle − or need to ease the end-of-week, post-workout tension with REN's muscle-easing {Atlantic Kelp and Microalgae Anti-Fatigue Bath Oil}, our {Bath & Shower} shop is overflowing with wonders.
{Saturday} Hands up if you're great at drinking two litres of water while at work, but discipline goes out the window at the weekend!? Set yourself a challenge to ensure that even though it's Saturday you won't allow yourself to desiccate. Carry a bottle of water with you − we love Innermost's {Tritan Shaker Bottle} − and consciously top up your aqua levels on the move. You'll be amazed at how much more alert and energised you feel (as well as how incredible your skin looks).
{Sunday} Battle the inevitable Sunday evening dread with... a hair mask! Think about how often you indulge your hair and scalp, and aim to rectify the ongoing neglect (and endless stress!). Briogeo's {Scalp Revival Charcoal + Tea Tree Treatment} is less 'mask', more... feast for your follicles − promoting scalp health to promote healthy growth and help maximise shine. Or try Living Proof's {Healthy Hair Night Cap} which spins straw into silk while you slumber. An overnight miracle-worker, just comb through your lengths and leave in overnight to wake up to Rapunzel-esque tresses.
