Image source: Girlboss
New Years can be weird. The date changes by a year, and suddenly, it’s like we get to hit the reset button. This renewed “blank slate” feeling lets us re-center our focus on our priorities and to strive to be an even better version of ourselves than before. While some people don’t believe in resolutions for the sheer fact that many people don’t keep up with them (ahem, gym—- I’m totally guilty too), making realistic goals and striving to meet them throughout the year allows us to hold ourselves accountable and grow as individuals.
Drink more water.
You’ve heard it a million times, but we’re just going to say it again. Drinking enough water can do wonders for the body. Not only can drinking enough water help improve your skin (hello, glow), but it can also help your body with digestion and detoxing. A good rule of thumb is drinking about half your weight in ounces of water daily. However, it’s always best to consult with a doctor, as everyone’s daily intake could be different. Need motivation to meet your daily water intake? Try
SELF’s 12 easy ways to drink more water every day.
Go on a social media detox.
Believe it or not, Instagram envy is real. And studies show it can be a major cause of depression. From fitness models with supermodel physiques to effortlessly successful boss babes to influencers living the high life from every glamorous city in the world - scrolling through your social feed can give you a false sense of failure by comparison. In a recent report conducted by the
Royal Society for Public Health, social media use is linked with increased rates of anxiety, depression and poor sleep.
Overcome Imposter’s Syndrome.
Ever feel like you’re living a lie and you’re not as talented as you really are? We hear you. Some comforting news: you’re not alone. According to a study conducted by the
International Journal of Behavioral Science, an estimated 70% of people will experience these feelings, too. A
Huffington Post article shares 7 coping strategies to cope with it. There’s always going to be someone less and more talented than you, but it’s important to remember that there’s no one quite like you -- and that is your power.
Think more positively.
It turns out that your thoughts hold more power than we can really comprehend and Rhonda Byrne, the author of
The Secret, was really onto something. This year, make it a priority to be kinder to yourself. By learning to love yourself, accepting that failure is apart of the journey to success, and having a more positive outlook, you can essentially attract more positive energy into your life. Instead of telling yourself you probably won’t land that dream job or internship, tell yourself you will. Of course, bad things might still happen, but that’s just life. If one door closes, one door opens. Think more positively and you’ll be surprised at how much your new outlook can impact your life.
Choose self-care over FOMO.
Sometimes, after a long week, your couch and Netflix just sounds like a better time than going out to a party. So you stay at home, only to check Snapchat to see all of your friends having a blast - and just like that, you’re hit with FOMO. We get it; it sucks. But trust us when we say there will be hundreds of more parties in the future. And if you’re feeling like you need to catch up on a nap or just be alone to recharge, that’s totally okay. Just be sure to listen to your mind and body to know what you really need. No one else can make that decision for yourself, but you.
Walk more.
If you don’t live NYC or a city that relies heavily on public transportation, walking might be something you think less about. Parking your car further away in parking lots, taking the stairs, and prioritizing weekly, if not daily, walks can improve your health and stamina. According to a study conducted by the University College London cited by this
Harvard article, “walking reduced the risk of cardiovascular events by 31%, and it cut the risk of dying during the study period by 32%.”
Ditch the caffeine for matcha.
If you’ve been with us since the beginning, you know we’re pretty big fans of matcha, here at Mirra. Here’s why: matcha gives you a boost of energy just like that Starbucks latte, without those awful mid-day jitters. It also has a slew of benefits for your skin and body which include:
- Reducing inflammation
- Fighting free radical damage with powerful antioxidants
- Stabilizing blood sugar levels
- Helps increase focus and concentration
No matter what you decide to prioritize this year, start with baby steps, rather than expect an overnight miraculous change. It will allow you to be more forgiving of mess ups and lack of “huge” improvement. And remember, progress over perfection is much more important. 2018 is your year. With life pulling you in so many different directions, it’s easy to let your own needs fall to the waist side. But this year is another opportunity for you to put yourself first. And here at Mirra, we believe that’s the ultimate lesson in self-care.
