GET THAT GLOW! FROM THE INSIDE OUT...

1. Hydrate

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Any one who knows me knows that I am rarely seen without my water bottle and live by the mantras “Hydrate or die-drate” and “Hydrate Before You Caffein-ate”. If you live in a warm climate, it is incredibly important to replenish the hydration that you loose through sweating. And, especially anyone who is constantly going in and out of air conditioning needs to be especially mindful of hydration. The air conditioning actually pulls moisture out of the air and your body!! Always carry around a re-usable water bottle, and never single use plastic (there is no excuse!) Check out my favourites below…

2. Eat antioxidant rich foods

Although supplements can be useful to the body, it is for the most part possible to get all the nutrients we need from food! Eating antioxidant rich foods can help minimise cell damage and flush out toxins. Look to nuts, pure dark chocolate and berries for a quick snack. Or incorporate dark leafy greens like spinach, kale and cabbage into your salads. For regular meals, fatty fishes with omega three’s help to increase cell regrowth, ultimately shedding the icky layers of our skin. And, when in doubt, avocado is always the move!! If you need some inspiration for healthier meals check out Madeline Shaw’s instagram or Half Baked Harvest on insta.

@madeline_shaw_

@halfbakedharvest

3. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations”. In other words, mindfulness is incredibly personal and it is completely up to you how you wish to look inwards to accept your thoughts. Personally, I find mindfulness through breathing excursuses I do each morning and evening, and also when I practice yoga. Taking moments ( it doesn’t have to be very long) to check in with yourself about how you are feeling is so important as it allows you to reset and assess if you need to make some changes. If you are new to the concept of mindfulness, I highly recommend checking out the “Headspace” app, it guides you through a series of meditations.

4. Less is more

When it comes to skincare, less is more. Slathering your face with every product imaginable is only going to irritate it. I like to have two go-to skincare routines, one for hot climates and one for colder ones. For the hot and humid climates, I use an acid- based cleanser, followed by a rose toner and finished with a light-weight water based moisturiser. For colder climates, I use an oil-based cleanser, followed by a hydrating toner and I top it off with a serum. Remember that your product based skincare should not be your first line of defence, it is much better to combat skincare through lifestyle changes. I put some of my favourite topical products down below!

5. Get moving

Exercise is not one-size fits all. Not everyone enjoys running long distance and not everyone enjoys barre class. About 8 months ago, I completely changed my exercise routine and I have never felt better. I used to get up and run probably about 9 or 10 miles, however that was not sustainable for me. Now, my exercise routine is accomplished through yoga (on most mornings), a few spin classes and making sure that I get out and go for a walk to clear my mind. If exercising at the gym is not really your thing, it is super easy to get into the habit of walking everywhere! One of the benefits of the pandemic has been the amount of fitness studios offering online classes. Check out Katie Gray Fit and Nathalie Clough on instagram to sign up for their zoom pilates workouts or check out SweatyBetty on instagram for shorter and non-live workouts.

@katiegrayfit

@nathalie.clough

@sweatybetty

6. Positive Affirmations

I am a firm believer in the Law of Attraction (later post to come!). The general idea of it is that what you put out into the universe is ultimately brought back to you. The concept is similar to karma but it’s more about you receiving what you put out and less of a second coming type situation. For example if you are constantly spewing out negative thoughts about yourself, the Law of Attraction states that those negative thoughts will come true. However, if you are only thinking positively about yourself, those positive thoughts will come back to you in reality. Tell yourself one nice thing every hour! Your perspective will dramatically shift. Check out the app “I am”, which sends you customised positive affirmations!

** Note: Please remember that I am not a dermatologist or a nutritionist and none of this information is meant to be taken as medical advice. I am simply sharing what I have learned from personal experience.