STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

I want to take better care of myself

Starstuff · Kenneth Cole

I've been trying to treat myself better and make better decisions too. I've also done the following things:

+switching my coffee for tea
+exercising and walking more
+forcing myself to drink a lot of water -- often when I feel tired I find that I'm also dehydrated. Makes it easier to skip coffee in the morning.
+getting rid of things I don't use- feels sooo good

Especially that last one, for me, is huge. What is the expression? We are owned by our posessions? something like that -- I've been cleaning out closets and giving away garbage bags full of clothes, shoes, and just stuff I don't and haven't used in a while, and it literally feels like I'm giving up a burden. I've also been trying to let things that bother me roll off my back. If someone is nasty to me, I figure, they're just putting out what they feel inside. That reaction doesn't come naturally or immediately, but I try to remember it.

-- Edited by Starstuff at 16:49, 2008-11-25

Kelly · Hermes

a multivitamin! I think of it as "insurance" - I mean, I try to eat well, but I take a multi just in case some nutrient is slipping through the cracks in my diet.

jj · Kate Spade

I get a massage every other month - it really helps allevate the tension in my shoulders and back.

I also get acai smoothies (soymilk, acai, cherries, blueberries and ice) - these fruits are supposed to be some of the healthiest you can eat.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

If you consume pop, I'd try to cut back on that. I'm trying to rid my diet of artificial sweeteners (I drink diet pop) and I feel better when I do.

I agree that getting rid of stuff is freeing and I feel good about donating it. I think a clutter free life is a luxury.

As for the facials, cheack around to see if you have an Aveda Institute in your area. I went to get a facial there and they did a good job, the student's instructor stopped in to make sure she chose the right mask for me and help analize my skin, and it was about $40 and included a foot soak and massage and a scalp massage. It's nice to be pampered and save money too. It wasn't as swanky as the spa ones I've had in the past, but it was good and much cheaper. I figure I saved enough to have a nice sushi lunch with my friend before hand.

I also like Perrier with lime with dinner. It makes it feel more special than just ice water at dinner, and it is a nice treat.

I bought a nice little basket and filled it with some nice bath salts and bubble bath and whatnot, and taking a bath after work is a nice way to unwind too.

You might consider upgrading your bed linens if you don't have high quality ones. It is really a nice feeling to slip under super soft linens. SmartBargains has some nice ones for about 1/2 the price of Bed Bath and Beyond and they include an extra set of pillow cases. I bought a set recently to replace a set I boguht from BBB and they were the same quality.

HTH

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Great ideas, lynnie. I second the coffee thing. I feel so much better when I eliminate it from my diet--even though I love it so much.

Dr. Weil says that if he could recommend one "splurge" to most people, it would be massage. He says the results are good for us in so many ways that it shouldn't be considered a splurge but a near-necessity.

Suasoria · Chanel

I also made a new year's resolution last year to pay more attention to grooming/beauty because while I've always been low maintenance, it's nice to feel like I'm treating myself occasionally.

I don't know if you drive, but having the car washed always makes me happy as long as it stays clean.

Some people swear by keeping fresh flowers in their house - if you go to farmers' markets, that's a good place to stock up. I'm not into flowers but I do like to burn incense. I find it relaxing.

Laughter is so good for you. Perhaps get DVDs of Scrubs or AbFab or whatever makes you laugh, and spend a day having a marathon. Or turn off the TV completely if you tend to keep it on.

Maybe explore new music on iTunes or get some relaxation CDs, play around with some new age or jazz or classical or whatever.

On that note, meditation does wonders for stress, mental acuity, and overall health. A yoga class in the evening after work is a great way to unwind.

Although it's not about spending money, ITA with a purge or even a "mini-purge" - just shoes, just sweaters, just jeans, or whatever. I love to purge.

Regarding possessions, I'm sure we all have some nicer things we "save" for special occasions like candles or wine or dishes or perfume or even underwear -- but wouldn't it be nice if we all USED some of these nicer things more regularly instead of hoarding them for some time in the future?? The wine editors at the Wall Street Journal do a fun thing called "Open That Bottle Night" once a year when they encourage all their readers to uncork something they're holding onto, and then email them about what they did for the occasion. (We should do something like this here - only make it "Wear Those Shoes Day" or "Carry That Bag Day," for no reason.)

Somebody told me once that you can look at every Monday as the start of a new year...so even if you backslide on some of the goals you've made, you can start over on Monday and it's all good.

dangergirl · Kate Spade

lynnie wrote:
+exercising and walking more

I'm trying to exercise more too - definitely helps if you choose a sport you enjoy and that's sociable too. I've recently started playing badminton and going climbing with friends - both much more appealing than going for a run in the cold, wet and darkness etc.

Kelly · Hermes

I'm glad some other people mentioned massages. I had written that originally but I deleted it because I didn't know how to justify it other than "I just feel healthier when I get them" and I didn't know if that was good enough evidence of it being helpful :)

Elle · Hermes

Facials are the bomb, yo. My MOH got me one right before my wedding that included a scalp, hand, and foot massage whilst you marinated in each step of the facial and I thought my brain was going to melt and drain out my nose. In a good way!

I guess it isn't technically a physical way to take care of yourself, but I try to read books I find inspiring, thought provoking, encouraging, etc. I find it supports my mental health quite a bit, which helps me keep stressful situations in perspective and strengthens my commitment to healthy physical habits. Connecting to the greater good or feeling plugged in to my fellow peeps or something like that!

Also, I'd recommend yoga or pilates for exercise if you don't do it already. Not only is it an efficient use of workout time with respect to results (IMO) but it is also great for counteracting the physical consequences of stress.

-- Edited by Elle at 15:00, 2008-11-26

stardust · Kenneth Cole

There are tons of great suggestions on this thread.

I've been trying to exercise more and I find it hard to stick with it because I seem to feel exhausted and worse after exercising and I always wish I'd get that high that people talk about and be super excited about doing it again the next day. I know it's because I'm unfit, but I have started doing pilates and that is one thing that makes me feel better straight away.

I agree with the massage suggestions and I have also started getting acupuncture regularly from really skilled Chinese practitioners that includes a form of massage with the acupuncture. It is really incredible how much better I feel and I'd recommend acupuncture to anyone- it's cleared up my skin and made my sleep better and made me more conscious of how important it is to have balance and be aware of the body as a whole. I guess it's an Eastern medicine approach but I definitely feel like it's made me healthier.

NCshopper · Hermes

One relatively inexpensive way to start feeling better is definitely to take your vitamins. I just read this article the other day about what vitamins the experts recommend: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/13/ep.vitamin.primer/

They all recommend taking Vitamin D, which is what you also get from the sunlight, so maybe either getting outside more often and catching some sun when you can or taking vitamin D might make you feel less "blah" this time of year. I usually go through the winter "blah's" myself and I'm going to try upping my intake of D. We'll see if that makes me feel more like myself!

-- Edited by NCshopper at 20:24, 2008-11-26