Get More Sleep!

We’ve all woken up exhausted after ‘just one more episode’ of our favourite series the night before; but it turns out humans are the only mammals that intentionally delay sleep. Which, when you consider that people that regularly get more than 7 hours of sleep a night are less likely to suffer from diabetes, asthma and even cancer, seems incredible that we would voluntarily delay it! Setting the foundations for a good night’s sleep is essential, investing in some good 100% cotton sleepwear will help regulate your body temperature (and look glam at the same time – no bad thing!). Also, why not switch ‘one more episode’ for ‘one more chapter’ of your favourite paperback? Ditching the blue light before bed can improve our circadian rhythm and encourage our bodies to feel sleepy instead of alert, another huge help for a good night’s sleep!

Journaling

While we’re on the subject of sleep, switching your head off after a busy day isn’t always easy. Sometimes we need to get those thoughts out of our head and onto a page to make way for rest and to allow up to properly separate work from play – and there’s so many more benefits too! Journaling has been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, as well as boosting immune health and cultivating a sense of gratitude. All of this adds up to…you guessed it, better sleep and better overall health, including improved memory! What’s not to love about this easy hack?!

Self Care

Here at Sand Dollar you don’t have to tell us twice about self-care, it’s one of our favourite things…when we get around to it! But building in good habits that are easy to maintain makes people feel calmer, less overwhelmed and naturally more positive, so we’ve rounded up a few of our faves to help your self-care become second nature! 90% of visible aging is down to sun damage, so Lancaster Sun Protection is top of our list, not only providing SP50 coverage but helping to reduce and protect against the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin with a beautiful glow. The other item top of our list is the Eva Hair Wrap from Silke London; made from 100% silk it helps to protect hair from sleep and sun damage, extend time between washes and reduce damage from colouring and bleaching, all whilst looking super elegant. Tick!

Exercise

Love it or hate it, exercise is always a feature on these lists, and for so many good reasons! Just 20 minutes of walking a day lowers cardiovascular disease, boosts energy levels and lowers blood pressure – as well as providing those brilliant endorphins that make you feel great! In the winter months it’s hard to feel motivated, so pick a sport you love and take the pressure off! Also, finding something you feel great in never hurts, so if swimming is your thing then finding the perfect swimsuit might be just the push you need to get out there and start – check out our range of gorgeous one-pieces below. Maybe getting the kids involved and training as a family is the way forward for you, in which case grab a ball and head down to the beach for some Vitamin D while you get your heart rates up and bond as a family!

Have fun!

Lastly, and possibly most importantly, don’t forget to switch off and enjoy yourselves this year. Carving out some ‘me time’ allows the hours when you are needed behind a desk or cooking the next meal (and helping with homework, washing and everything else!) to feel a whole lot more manageable. So, whether it’s going out with the husband, the girls or just taking yourself out for a date, throw on your favourite frock and go and have some belly laughs. You deserve it!