New Year’s resolutions: Five ways to spoil yourself
The year is coming to an end and if you are already planning your New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to make your happiness a priority. Here are five ways you can spoil yourself in the New Year.
When the clock strikes midnight on 31 December, you’re expected to swap ice cream cake with iceberg lettuce, weekend sundowners with weekday study sessions, and retail therapy with restraint.
It’s no wonder New Year’s resolutions feel like chores instead of a path to self-improvement. If you’re tired of misery setting the tone for the rest of the year, it’s probably time to prioritise your happiness. Here are five ways to spoil yourself in the new year:
Work Splurges into Your Budget
Depriving yourself too much can eat away at your willpower and eventually lead to an unplanned spending binge. Giving yourself some wiggle room to buy the things that make you happy not only makes it easier to stick to your budget but also gives you the motivation to keep working toward your financial goals.
Take Back Your Lunch Break
If you’re used to wolfing down a sandwich at your desk while chasing an impending deadline, you’re in good company. According to a 2018 survey, more than two-thirds of South Africans skip their lunch break. The result? Decreased productivity and a dip in creative thinking. So instead of staring at your screen during your midday hiatus, find a fulfilling way to spend that hour. Meditate, listen to a podcast or read a novel – whatever you do, don’t squeeze in a bit more work.
Slow Down
How many times have you ‘inhaled’ a slice of cake as soon as it landed on your plate? Have you noticed that taking small bites allows you to relish the moment and prevents you from overeating?
That’s pretty much how every other area of your life works. It seems everyone is in a hurry, impatiently waiting for their order in fast-food restaurants, looking at their watches and speeding down the highway. Slowing down and being mindful of what you’re doing at the moment is one of the easiest ways to decrease the stress levels that come with living in a fast-paced world.
Take a Scenic Drive Home
Unless you’re an influencer who makes money by travelling the world, most of our everyday lives are routine. Whenever you’re in need of a pick-me-up, take a drive down a street lined with trees or stop at your local park to take in the scenery. Seeing a bit of nature every day can work wonders for your mental wellbeing and give you a bit of time to destress.
Pamper Yourself at Home You don’t have to turn your bathroom into a world-class wellness retreat to get a spa treatment. Steam facials, body scrubs, milk baths and aromatherapy showers can all take place in the comfort of your home.
Schedule a spa day at least once a month so you can pamper yourself without paying a fortune. Most people associate a new year with sacrifice. But if there’s anything you should let go of, it’s the habit of putting yourself last. Diets and workouts are important, but not nearly as important as your peace and happiness.
