The past few weeks have been a total madness, from changing a new job to starting one, to keeping up with my 4 year old 's social life and Christmas school play, from managing the house and everything in between and waking up in the middle of the night, thinking of what needs to be done tomorrow, it can be hard to switch off!
Last week, I did just that, I had to find that nice slow groove and slow down, for my own piece of mind and to recharge and take care of myself. Whilst I love what I do and enjoy being busy, I am forever grateful, but at times we just need to take it easy, after all there is only one of me and one of you, this does not have to be taking time off, for days on end, even the smallest of things and setting time aside can help.
Monday Cook-Off
I can normally get home at 10 - 11 pm of a night from work, whilst being out the house for 15 hours is not ideal, it happens and I come home grab a quick bite to eat, before hitting the bed, but last week I changed that I took a little time to get out earlier and get home and spend time with my family I even managed to cook and I loved it, I felt so much more relaxed, just because it is the first day of the week, does not mean I have to smash it from the get-go.
Whilst this may not seem like self-care, it truly felt it. I felt more invigorated just spending time with family and cooking, even though the kitchen was left looking like a war zone, the mushroom and lentil bolognese was a hit, Leanora and I sat on the kitchen floor and ate it, giggling about our day whilst enjoying our meal surrounded by pasta on the walls.
Read It
So you know I am a major fan of books, I actually have not read anything new for a little while, because I've been so busy. But I treated myself for my Birthday and started Michelle Obama's, Becoming and it is amazing, but I'll fill you in more later in the week when I finally bring out my latest book club reads.
Armed with a book, on route to work and a little reading before bed, is just so relaxing. It is about finding that balance to break away from work and the constant go of life, to help you switch off, be it even watching a movie or a fave tv show, we are currently loving Dynasties documentary on a Sunday.
Midweek pamper
Nothing like switching off, then a little beauty self-care, that midweek pick me up and a little indulgence to help you feel better and relaxed is perfect. With Christmas fast approaching I wanted to save some money, so I bought some beauty bits from Feelunique and had an at home pampering session.
After a long hot soak, a bath filled with essential bath oils, some candles burning, my new fave podcast on in the background and freshly polished nails., by the time I got into bed, tucked up with a book, I felt less stressed, re-energised and mentally renewed. My body and my find felt great immediately leading me to have better and non broken sleep. I totally recommend taking time out with a pamper night at least once a week as a must.
Stretch it out
I have to confess I always try to find a million excuses to not go or work out at home, it is too cold, it's too dark, I've not slept enough, I got too much work to do, the gym is going to be busy I won't be able to get a slot avail;able for a class, you can see where I am going with this right!
So last week, I made sure to get in at least two works in the morning, if I can not attend a class, I got up 30 minutes earlier, rolled out my mat and stretched it out. I felt leaner after yoga and stronger after a 30-minute pilates session and you can instantly feel the benefits in your mind, body, and soul. I learned the importance after a work out on taking care of one's self, I felt ready for my day and able to tackle whatever comes my way and charged with life and positivity and anything negative I may have been thinking or holding on to, simply went away.
It is about doing small things to help you switch off, feel rested and energised to be able to manage your days and weeks. Instead of doing all of this on a Sunday to prep me for the week, it's about doing a little each day.
What would you do with your week or day to help you switch off?
London Mumma
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Whether you are new to working out or an old pro or looking to join a class and find new techniques to keep your body guessing, I highly recommend turning your attention and signing up with Esqaured.
Now I'll be honest I have not worked out in a long time, I mean what just over 3 years now. Since having Leanora I attended a few buggy and mummy work out classes with the NCT gals, but 9 months later and returning to work, I found it less difficult to work out, whilst some gyms have creche inside, I just can't leave my daughter with any and anyone.
Leanora now 4 years old, starting school in a matter of weeks and my home and work life balance has found it's easy groove, plus being primarily located in the city where there are an abundance of new and old gyms, there are no excuses for me not to go.
A girlfriend from work was always asking me to go and if truth be told I always found an excuse, heck any even just to not go, but always promising that I would! But simply put I was not yet ready, whilst I knew I needed to work out, I was not feeling great and knew that I could be healthier, had to be healthier not just only for me but my daughter too, plus sitting at an office desk for 8-12 hours eating mac n cheese and running from meeting to meeting is not ideal, nor is the running around proper exercise.
Whilst classes and monthly gym memberships can become extremely costly, classes local to you may not be ideal, thinking would I make it in time, what if my train is delayed, can I do it in my lunch break, with certain subscription packages can I do a variety of classes, all of these comes to mind and thinking about it alone is enough to put anyone off, so I did just that, that was until Esquared got in touch.
I always ran before I became pregnant, twice a day some days 4-5 days a week, I tried the gym but they were not fun and I felt very self-conscious, then when I fell pregnant, I could not for obvious reasons, run so I turned to pregnancy yoga and Pilates and loved every minute of it, my body too. I continued as I had said for a short period after giving birth, but never took to it again.
So when Esquared got in touch about this app, that lets you know all about the gym and 100's of classes on offer in your CURRENT location I was thrilled, especially as there are loads close to where I work and home, so if I felt like I wanted to look up, yoga, Pilates, my new fave box fit, ass and abs and pillar killer (don't ask, I thought I was gonna die, but I'm booked back to do it next week) I could just do so, buy easily buying credit and if I wanted a class today, tomorrow or for even in a few days time, I could easily book myself in, and with the filter of the type of class I was looking for I could book myself in with a few easy taps and off I go.
If you are not looking for class, the Esquared app will find gyms close to your location, so if you are looking for more of an intense work out on your own for a spot of weightlifting, it is all there and easily accessible, plus they have gyms and classes starting off from as little as £5. Another bonus and certainly my fave feature about Esquared is that there is no joining fee, just simply pay as you wanna work out.
Since starting my fitness journey with Esquared just over a month now, I've totally been bitten by the fitness bug, I go to a class at least twice a week, before or after work and sometimes cheekily in my lunch break, where I've been able to find 30-minute work out classes.
A major thanks to Esquared for getting me back on track and god knows you've changed my life for the better and they can change yours too, make sure to download the app, here if you have Apple or Google Play sign up and maybe I'll see you at the next class.
London Mumma
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