LIFE STYLE Archives - Page 2 of 13

Never Put These 6 Plants In Your Kid’s Room

We’ve all seen the Instagram-worthy newborn nurseries filled with neutral throw pillows and thriving green plants. But before you go crafting a jungle in your little one’s room, do some research—as it turns out, not all plants are safe to have around children, and some may even be toxic if chewed on by a curious teething baby.

Keep these 6 common house plants out of reach of children for their safety.

Dumb Cane

This common house plant is prized for its spotted green and white leaves, which make it fit beautifully into most homes. Unfortunately, its leaves are more than just pretty—they contain calcium oxalate, which can be dangerous for children if ingested or touched. In small quantities, dumb cane leaves can irritate the skin, but if a large number of leaves are swallowed, it can cause severe stomach upset.

Caladium

Caladium leaves are recognized by their lovely pink and green heart-shaped leaves. These beautiful leaves should be looked at, but not touched, since they can irritate mucus membranes and cause vomiting.

Philodendron

You might have a philodendron around if you like large, palm-like plants that don’t require much maintenance. While these plants are easy to care for—even for sleep-deprived new parents!—they’re not the best option for families with young children. Consuming philodendron leaves can cause swelling and irritation in the mouth, which can lead to trouble breathing for some kids.

Pothos

Similar to philodendron, pothos plants should be kept away from kids. Their leaves can cause burning and inflammation in the mouth, which could result in trouble swallowing or breathing. They can also irritate the stomach and can cause vomiting or diarrhea.

English Ivy

English ivy may make the outside of your home look particularly picturesque, but it can wreak havoc on your family members if eaten. These leaves irritate the throat so severely that it can swell from the mouth down. It’s best to keep this plant away from vulnerable children.

Oleander

Oleander is a less common household plant, but it’s worth mentioning because it is extremely poisonous and can cause a slow heart rate and even death if ingested. If you suspect your child has eaten any oleander leaves or flowers, it’s important to take them to the emergency department.

What To Do If Your Child Has Eaten A Poisonous Plant

If you suspect your child has eaten something dangerous, call the poison control hotline immediately. It’s also a good idea to call your child’s doctor and have them evaluated, particularly if they’re showing signs of stomach upset, rash, or swelling.

Keeping Plants Out of the Mouths of Kids

The best way to prevent your child from getting sick from a house plant is to fill your home with safe, non-toxic plants. It’s impossible to keep an eye on your kid every second of the day, so prevention is the best safety strategy.

If you do have dangerous plants at home, move them into a room with a locked door so you can ensure your little one won’t be able to access them.

This list of dangerous plants is not exhaustive, so if you have questions about whether a house plant is safe to put in your little one’s room, do some research before purchasing it. Remember, making thoughtful decisions before you buy will help to avoid accidents in the future!

The Best Unique Housewarming Gifts

If you’ve ever moved into a new home, you know how overwhelming it can be—when did you get so much stuff? And where are you going to put it all in your new place? Though housewarming gifts are always well intentioned, sometimes gifts like throw pillows, blankets, or coffee table books can just add to the moving clutter.

When you’re giving a housewarming gift, you want to give something useful and thoughtful that isn’t going to add to the mess (and stress!) that inevitably comes with moving. Check out these unique ideas for housewarming gifts that your loved ones will treasure through every move.

Personalized Cutting Board

Does your bestie love to cook? Then why not gift them one of these adorable personalized cutting boards? Every cook needs a solid cutting board for those veggie-heavy meals, and this one will make them smile each time they pull it out.

Indoor Herb Garden

Herbs are great to have on hand for cocktails, cooking, and more! Even if your bestie moved into a windowless apartment, help bring some greenery inside with this smart herb garden that uses LED lamps to mimic sunlight. Best of all, it’s so tiny it will easily fit on a windowsill or any other nook and cranny of a cluttered new house.

Return Address Stamp

For a super thoughtful gift, design a custom return address stamp with their new address. Not only will it save your friends tons of time (and hand cramps!) when sending out thank-you notes and new home announcements, but it’s a gift they’ll use over and over—until they move again, that is!

Funky Kitchen Towels

You don’t have to know the ins and outs of their new home design to know that kitchen towels will come in handy. For a personalized touch, give these beautiful towels with an ode to their home—new or old!

House Portrait

Is your friend leaving their first home or moving into it? Either way, commemorate the home that will always hold a special place in their heart with a custom house portrait. Just provide a photo of their home to a designer, and they’ll whip up a custom portrait to be hung somewhere special by someone special. Choose the color, frame, and format for a one-of-a-kind housewarming gift that matches your friend’s style.

For a smaller and less expensive option with the same loving touch, commission a custom house Christmas ornament!

Custom Doormat

There’s nothing quite as warm as a friendly doormat. Make every step into their new home even more welcoming with a custom doormat showcasing their family, funny inside jokes, or other personal touches. With the option to change colors, fonts, and text, you’ll be gifting your loved one something that will make them smile time and time again.

For a doormat that’s endlessly customizable depending on the day, season, or mood, try this neutral doormat!

Wine

If all else fails, there’s always wine! Say “congratulations” in the best possible way with a celebratory bottle of bubbly. For a more thoughtful option, gift a wine or coffee subscription. They’ll get happy mail every month with another reminder of how much they mean to you!

Housewarming gifts don’t have to be bland. Give your friends a gift they’ll appreciate and enjoy next time they move for a tangible reminder of how much you love them.

How To Tighten Loose, Sagging Skin

Our bodies handle a lot of change throughout our lifetimes—and extreme changes that occur due to weight loss or gain, pregnancy, or aging can cause skin all over the body to become loose or saggy.

Luckily, there are things you can do to reduce the appearance of loose skin, no matter where it is on your body. Try these 5 tips to naturally tighten your skin for a firm, youthful appearance.

Take Collagen Supplements

Collagen is the protein that binds skin cells together, making them appear tight and firm. While collagen is naturally produced in the body, many things, including aging, UV exposure, and a poor diet, can cause your body to underproduce collagen.

To boost collagen throughout the body and maintain tight, wrinkle-free skin, some people take collagen supplements. Using skin-firming creams formulated with retinol, an anti-aging product, can also help stimulate collagen production and produce firmer skin over time.

Firm With A Gua Sha

Gua shas exploded into the skincare market a few years ago, but they’ve been used to treat facial skin in China for centuries. They’re a little handheld piece of jade shaped like an oblong heart, and, when used properly, they can decrease inflammation in the face, stimulate collagen production, reduce dark undereye circles, and tighten skin.

To tighten skin using a gua sha, apply a few drops of facial oil and gently rub it in by running the gua sha over your face and neck in the direction of lymphatic flow (towards your hairline). Use your gua sha at least once a week to see results.

Perform Regular Exercise

Exercise can both prevent the development of loose skin and reduce its appearance once you have it. By maintaining a healthy body weight throughout your lifetime, you’ll minimize the potential of developing loose skin due to weight gain and loss.

If you already have loose skin, exercise can minimize its appearance. Exercise develops the muscles under your skin. Your skin has to stretch to cover bigger muscles, which makes it appear tighter.

If you’re dealing with loose skin on your face or neck, try specific exercises targeting this area to reduce the appearance of sagging skin.

Utilize A Daily Moisturizer Containing Hyaluronic Acid

While most anti-aging firming creams won’t give you an immediate face lift, using a daily moisturizer formulated with hyaluronic acid can help reduce the appearance of loose skin over time. Keeping your skin moisturized will help it to remain plump and hydrated, and hyaluronic acid makes moisturizers even more effective by attracting and preserving water molecules.

Try A Non-Surgical Dermatological Treatment

If creams, supplements, and exercise aren’t reducing the appearance of your sagging skin, you could try a non-surgical treatment at your dermatologist’s office. These procedures are great for loose skin throughout your body since they can be performed on any body part.

Ultrasound, radiofrequency, and laser treatments are non-invasive treatments that use heat to stimulate your body to produce collagen. They typically don’t show immediate results, but they do tighten your skin over several months, and the results can last for more than a year.

If you’re willing to try a slightly more invasive treatment, laser resurfacing is a great option for tightening loose skin. Laser resurfacing tightens skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles within 2 weeks.

If you’re struggling with sagging skin, you have many options to reduce its appearance. Experiment with different skin-tightening methods to find the one that works best for you!

6 Untrue Weight Loss Myths

There’s a lot of misinformation about weight loss out there. The truth is, many of us want to lose weight, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. The simplest way to a healthy weight is eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. That’s it! If you’ve heard any of these weight loss myths, consider them debunked.

Diets Work

Diets can work, but just because a new fad diet starts going viral on social media doesn’t necessarily mean it will work for you. Sure, there’s nothing inherently wrong with Atkins, paleo, keto, or Whole 30—if you can sustain it. The problem is that most people think diets promise a quick solution to their weight loss problem, when in reality, only long-term lifestyle changes will sustain weight loss over time.

If you’re trying to lose weight, focus on less dramatic, incremental changes, like daily exercise or gradual diet change, rather than going all-in on a diet for a few weeks. Yo-yo dieting, or gaining and losing pounds frequently due to diets, actually causes you to gain weight over time.

Carbs Are Bad

Carbs get a bad rap, but they’ve been enjoyed for far longer than the obesity epidemic has been going on, so they really shouldn’t take all the blame. The truth is, depending on your biology, a low-carb or low-fat diet might be more effective for you.

You don’t have to eliminate carbs entirely, but try to stay away from refined carbs, like sugar, since these do cause you to gain weight.

Counting Calories Matters

You wouldn’t think a 100-calorie scoop of ice cream was equally as healthy as a 100-calorie scoop of hummus, would you? When it comes to counting calories, the quality matters just as much as the quantity. Simply focusing on consuming as few calories as possible won’t help you lose weight if the calories you’re eating are made up of unhealthy fats, refined carbs, or sweets.

You Can Eat Anything You Want If You Exercise

Exercise is an important addition to any healthy lifestyle, but it’s not the only thing that matters. Yes, exercise burns calories—a lot, depending on the activity! But it takes a lot of energy to exercise, which can make you disproportionately hungry. In fact, some people actually gain weight when they exercise, since they eat more calories than they burn!

Don’t be afraid to indulge every once and awhile after a strenuous exercise, but don’t completely ignore your diet when you workout either.

Snacking Makes You Gain Weight or Lose Weight

Some people subscribe to the idea that 6 meals a day are better, while others try to avoid snacking completely. The fact is, it doesn’t really matter how many times a day you eat as long as you’re making healthy choices.

For some people, snacks between meals help prevent them from overeating at mealtimes. Other people might snack out of boredom instead of hunger, which could cause weight gain. The total amount you consume each day matters more than when you eat, so if you’re hungry, grab a healthy fruit or vegetable and go on with your day!

While we’re busting myths, just remember: weight is just a number. Mental health, dietary choices, exercise, relationships, and many other factors make up a “healthy” life, so try not to obsess over the number you see on the scale!

The Best Air-Purifying Plants and How To Keep Them Alive

Plants are a fun, lively addition to any home, but did you know they’re more than just a pretty face? Some plants can reduce stress, improve your productivity, and even clean your home’s air!

We’ve rounded up our favorite air-purifying plants to make your home feel fresh and clean year-round. And because not everyone has a green thumb, we’ve got some care tips for each plant—because having drooping plants around is just sad.

Peace Lilies

According to NASA, peace lilies are one of the top 3 best houseplants for removing toxins from your household air. They’re also beautiful, but keep in mind that their leaves are toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach if you’re got furry friends around!

How to keep them alive: Peace lilies love a little bit of everything—keep soil moist, not sopping wet, and place them in a well-lit location for maximum flower blooming.

Spider Plants

Ever heard of air plants (otherwise known as the easiest plants to keep alive, ever)? They’re also called spider plants, and they’re great at cleaning up household air. Keep a few around in a hanging basket for optimal air purification.

How to keep them alive: Mist spider plants with water two or three times every week to keep them healthy.

Golden Pothos

This indestructible ivy-like plant can reduce the presence of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and more! If you take care of it, it grows, and grows, and grows, so make sure you have a lot of space for your golden pothos to grow into if you purchase one!

How to keep them alive: Water every week or two when the soil feels dry.

Dracaenas

Dracaenas are fun because there are many different varieties—choose your favorite with confidence, knowing you’ll reap the air-purifying benefits of this amazing plant no matter which variety you select!

How to keep them alive: Too much water can drown your dracaena, so only get the soil damp when watering.

Mother-in-Law’s Tongue (Snake Plant)

Snake plants are unique because they filter indoor air, even when the sun isn’t shining. Put one in your bedroom for purified air all night long! Just remember that these pretty plants can be harmful to children or pets if eaten, so keep them out of reach of any nibblers.

How to keep them alive: Whatever your home is like, you have the perfect space for a snake plant. Shady? They’ll do fine. Direct sun? They love it! Water them when you notice the soil’s dry—that’s it!

Aloe Vera

You probably have a jar of aloe vera ointment somewhere, but did you know this miraculous plant does more than just soothe a sunburn? Aloe vera also filters formaldehyde out of the air while it grows!

How to keep them alive: Place aloe vera in a well-draining pot, so it doesn’t sit in standing moisture after you water it. Remember, it’s a desert plant, so try not to overwater it!

Rubber Plants

Did you know rubber plants (or ficus, as your mom probably calls them) are a type of evergreen tree? These hearty, deep green plants might need to be dusted every now and then to keep them looking fresh, but their extra maintenance comes with extra benefits—they’re beautiful, and they filter carbon monoxide in your home!

How to keep them alive: Easy peasy. Give rubber plants a lot of light and keep the soil moist to thrive.

Areca Palms

Ready for the houseplant that will make your friends think you really have a green thumb? Areca palms’ bamboo-like trunk and bright buds will brighten up any room. While they’re at it, they’ll also eliminate formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and benzene!

How to keep them alive: Give it a lot to drink, put it by a window, and watch it grow!

Chrysanthemums

Talk about flower power! Mums flowers work to purify the air, but unfortunately, they don’t bloom for very long. If you’re looking for a short-term air-purifying solution, mums are a pretty addition to any home.

How to keep them alive: Damp soil will keep mums blooming as long as possible.

Ready to turn your home into a greenhouse? Enjoy the satisfaction of taking care of something while reaping the benefits of a clean, healthy home.

6 Lifestyle Habits that Cause Premature Aging

Do you examine your forehead for wrinkles each night or panic each time a clump of hair falls out in the shower? None of us want to age before our time, but for some people, unwise lifestyle habits may cause wrinkles, uneven skin tone, sagging skin, or hair changes prematurely.

Signs of aging are considered “premature” when they occur before age 35. If you’re noticing changes in your skin or hair, make sure you’re not contributing to premature aging by staying away from these 6 bad habits.

Tanning

Not only does tanning put you at an increased risk of developing skin cancer, it causes you to age, too! That’s because the sun’s UV rays (including UV light from a tanning bed) actually damage your skin cells. Even if you don’t get sunburned, the sun damages your skin when you spend time outside, which increases the likelihood you’ll develop sun spots and wrinkles.

UV rays damage your hair too—they can cause breakage in the cuticle, the outer layer of hair that protects fragile inner strands. When your hair gets damaged, it may feel brittle or frizzy, and you may develop split ends or dryness.

The best thing to do is avoid sun exposure as much as possible. Try self tanner instead, and use sun protection with SPF whenever you spend time outdoors.

Unhealthy Diet

There are tons of benefits to maintaining a healthy diet, but one is that it keeps your skin looking nourished and youthful! According to some studies, diets high in sugar and carbohydrates can cause the natural aging process to accelerate.

While the precise effects of diet on aging aren’t exactly clear, choosing a nutritious diet will help you maintain a healthy weight—and that’s always a good idea!

Smoking

Smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer and other chronic conditions. Even if you manage to avoid these, it makes you appear older—that’s a lose-lose! Because cigarette smoke exposes your skin to toxins, smoking regularly can make your skin appear wrinkled and dry.

It’s never too late to quit smoking, and when you do, your skin will thank you for it!

Stressful Lifestyle

If you’re constantly stressed about work, your relationship, money, or something else, it might be time to try yoga, journaling, or another method of mindful stress relief. That’s because stress not only feels terrible, it makes you age prematurely, too!

When you’re stressed, your body releases the hormone cortisol. Some cortisol in your body is normal, but too much (or too much too often!) can damage the collagen in your skin cells. Collagen keeps your skin looking elastic and plump—damage to it causes unnecessary wrinkles and sagging.

Too Little Sleep

A good night’s rest can be hard to come by, but studies show that sleeping poorly can cause signs of aging to appear on your skin. Your cells need rest to repair damage from the sun, environmental pollutants, and dry air. A full night’s sleep gives your cells the time they need to regenerate before heading back out into the world.

Over Exfoliating

Exfoliating is an important step in any skincare regimen since it clears your pores of buildup and helps remove dead skin cells. But be careful not to overdo it, since over exfoliation can damage healthy skin. Exfoliate once or twice a week (no more!) and, if your skin becomes irritated, try a new method to protect your fragile skin.

With a few simple lifestyle changes, you can nourish your skin and protect it from aging before you do. Give these tips and try and witness your skin become firm, radiant, and glowing over time!

How To Get Over a Bad Mood Fast

Arguments, disappointments, or failures can all put you in a bad mood, but sometimes you just wake up that way. If you’re struggling to get past a bad mood, try these 6 tips to help you feel better fast.

Smile

When you’re in a bad mood, the last thing you want to do is smile. Maybe no one’s ever told you this before, but you can actually smile without feeling happy! Studies show that smiling does have a small effect on your emotions, even if you’re forcing yourself to do it. So next time you’re in a bad mood, just start smiling. Smile at the people you walk by on the street, or your coworkers, or to yourself in the mirror if you have to!

Vent

Bad moods can cause us to dwell on negative thoughts. If you know what put you in a bad mood, acknowledging your emotions can help you move on from them. Talk to a friend you trust about your feelings—but be careful not to share your emotions with someone who will judge you or make you feel more frustrated.

Remember, bad feelings are a part of being human. Acknowledge them, but don’t let them define your day.

Focus On Gratitude

When you’re in a bad mood, it’s easy to spiral. Suddenly you went from being frustrated you dropped your dinner to feeling bad about the job you didn’t get last year, and the time your boyfriend cheated on you, and that expensive top you really liked that you spilled wine on…

Instead of spiraling into negative feelings, try and remember a few things you’re grateful for. Write down 3 good things that happened this week, and try and focus on how those things made you feel. Your mood will start to lift immediately!

Exercise

There’s nothing like a bad mood to cause you to overindulge on sweets, alcohol, or other unhealthy vices. But these things won’t make you feel better, and they’re often followed by shame once you calm down later.

Instead, try going for a walk or a jog when you’re in a bad mood. Sunlight and endorphins can work wonders on your mood, and exercising can give you some time to think and gain perspective about what upset you in the first place.

Journal

Sometimes, a bad mood can hit without an obvious cause. Maybe you woke up feeling off, or you became sad towards the end of the day. If you’re not sure what’s bugging you, journaling can help clear your mind.

Try writing a few pages without any particular agenda—just record what comes into your head. As the minutes progress, you might get some clarity about what’s really going on in your subconscious mind.

Look at Old Photos

Even though it doesn’t feel like it when you’re in a bad mood, you’ve had some really, really great times over the last few years. Next time you find yourself in a slump, scroll back through old photos taken during experiences you enjoyed. You’ll laugh, you’ll smile, and you’ll get lost in reminiscing without even realizing your bad mood is disappearing along the way.

Getting yourself out of a funk isn’t easy, but you’ll be grateful you did it once you’ve had a chance to reflect. Next time you’re struggling, use these tips to help put things into perspective and regain the joy in your day.

5 Bad Habits That Keep You From Sleeping Well

Sleep works wonders for your health. It keeps you from getting chronic diseases, boosts your mental health, and helps prevent obesity. So if you don’t sleep well at night, what can you do to catch more zzz’s and reap the benefits of a good night’s sleep?

It turns out, many of us have bad habits that may prevent us from sleeping well each night. Avoid these common activities before bed to help you rest easy.

Watching TV in Bed

You probably wouldn’t sleep well with the lights on, right? Well, trying to fall asleep after staring at your phone or the television for hours can have a similar effect. Your brain is not only stimulated by what you’re watching, which can keep you from getting good rest, but it’s also confused by the light. Light tells your brain that it’s time to wake up, so you’ll have a more difficult time falling asleep if you’ve been watching TV or using your laptop or phone before bed.

Instead, implement a new wind-down routine that will help you fall asleep fast. Try reading or journaling about the day before you get into bed. Make a cup of caffeine-free tea or take a warm bath to signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep.

Exercising in the Evening

Regular exercise can help you sleep better, but fitting it in too close to bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep. Try to avoid exercising at least 3 hours before bed unless you’re doing light intensity exercise, like a relaxing yoga flow or a stretching routine.

If you can, exercise in the morning to help you feel energized all day long while preserving the ability to fall asleep fast at night.

Midnight Snacks

Evening TV and snacks just go together—but evening TV, snacks, and a good night of sleep don’t! If you want to help yourself fall asleep, skip the midnight snacks—particularly snacks containing chocolate, since chocolate has a small amount of caffeine. Drinks containing alcohol can also hinder a good night’s sleep, so try to avoid these after dinner.

If you’re really craving an evening snack, try a high-carb option like toast or crackers, since these can release serotonin and help you fall asleep. Warm milk or tea may not help you fall asleep, but they can help you relax, making sleep come easier.

Afternoon Cups of Coffee

For many people, an afternoon cup of coffee is an essential pick me up. However, caffeine from coffee, soda, or energy drinks takes many hours to metabolize—in fact, 4–6 hours after drinking your afternoon cup of joe, you’ve still got half its caffeine in your system!

If you think caffeine might be keeping you up at night, experiment with how much you drink and when you drink it. For some people particularly sensitive to caffeine, it might be worth giving up entirely to ensure your nighttime sleep isn’t interrupted.

Working At Night

If you regularly leave work with a ton on your to-do list, you might be in the habit of checking your email or knocking a few things off the list before bed. Unfortunately, this habit won’t help you sleep, since stimulating your brain with work can increase stress before bed. You’ll know this is a problem for you if you commonly find yourself struggling with racing thoughts as you try to fall asleep.

Instead, log off from work at least a few hours before bed each night. If you find yourself still struggling with jumbled thoughts each night, consider journaling or meditating before bed to help calm your mind.

Getting a full night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do to preserve your health. Build a routine of sleep-producing habits to enjoy a good night’s sleep every night.

How To Build a Running Habit Today

For non-runners, building a running habit can seem intimidating. But the truth is, it’s just like any habit—by making a routine and sticking to it, you can easily become comfortable running. Over time, you’ll be able to boost your mileage and experience all the amazing benefits of running—weight loss, increased energy, and a rush of endorphins, to start—for yourself.

Ready to get started building a running habit? Keep these 5 simple tips in mind!

Make Running a Part of Your Routine

If you’re really going to make running a part of your life, it needs to find a place in your weekly routine. Running a few times a month isn’t going to help you get into shape—in fact, it’s probably going to discourage you from continuing to run since your progress will be so slow.

Decide which days you’re going to run each week, and then make a plan to run at the same time each day. If you’re a morning person, commit to getting up early 2–4 times a week to run. If you’re fitting in a jog after work, make a plan to leave work on time.

At first, it may feel uncomfortable to fit running into your routine, but as the weeks progress, it will become an essential part of your weekly rhythm.

Turn Running Into “Me Time”

Do you enjoy podcasts, books, or TV? Depending on whether you run on a treadmill or outdoors, you can indulge in any of these pastimes while you’re running.

Tune into that trashy reality TV show your boyfriend hates or that true crime podcast you’re obsessed with next time you get geared up to run. The key is to only allow yourself to watch, read, or listen to these things while you run, so the minutes spent running become a treat you look forward to.

Don’t Overdo It

Once you get into shape, it can be tempting to push yourself harder and faster each run. Go easy on yourself, even when you feel good. Remember, you’re trying to build a running habit, not win a race (at least, not at first). If you make yourself miserable by pushing yourself too hard, you won’t want to pick up your shoes again tomorrow.

Jog, don’t sprint, at a pace that allows you to talk. The first mile might feel uncomfortable some days, but push through it to get to the more comfortable middle miles.

Run With A Partner

If you are lucky enough to have a running buddy, make it a routine to meet them for a run every day at a particular time and place. A running partner can keep you motivated on the days you think you’re too tired to exercise. Plus, running is more enjoyable when you can do it with someone you love!

Be Your Own Hype Man

Some days, you’ll finish a run and the endorphins will have you feeling on top of the world. Next time you feel that way, take a video of yourself to remind your future self (who is tired and really, really, really doesn’t feel like running today) how good you’ll feel after you go.

Building a running habit is easy if you stay disciplined and create ways to make it fun for yourself. Now get out and enjoy your run!

Eight Ideas For Relaxing Weekend Activities To Destress & Recharge

Modern life can be fast-paced, hectic, and stressful. After spending the week finishing to-do lists and meeting deadlines, it’s important to find ways to unwind over the weekend.

When you have time off work and want to recharge, here are some ideas to help you relax:

1. Read a book

As well as having many other benefits, reading a good book is a fantastic way to escape from reality and relax on your day off. If you find you have some free time, grab a book that’s of interest to you, find a quiet spot and get cozy – then enjoy!

2. Take a long bath

Another way to relax on your day off is to take a long soak in the bath. A lot of people are too busy to pamper themselves during the week. At the weekend, you can enjoy the benefits of a warm bath, like getting a night of better sleep, relieving aches, and lowering stress levels.

3. Watch a movie

If you’re at home and looking for a way to zone out, watching a movie can be very therapeutic. Whether you prefer romantic movies, comedies, thrillers, action, or something else, watching a great movie is an enjoyable way to fill your weekend.

4. Try out new recipes

Cooking can be a really fun, creative activity that’s amazing for restoring energy. When you have some time off, it’s an opportunity to take your time and experiment with new recipes and ingredients, and to improve your cooking skills in general.

5. Listen to music

Listening to music can help you recharge, so it’s perfect for times when you want to feel peaceful and calm. Music is known to reduce levels of stress hormones. Whether it’s listening to the radio or your favorite album on Spotify, listening to music has so many benefits.

6. Draw or paint

Being creative is awesome for relieving stress and feeling more at ease. If you can, include a creative activity, like drawing or painting, on your weekend. Even if starting with a blank page seems too hard, there are other options like using an adult coloring book.

7. Take a yoga class

If you’re looking for a really relaxing activity, yoga is perfect. Even if you’re a complete beginner, there are loads of classes available. Simply search for some in your local area. Or, you can even take online classes from the comfort of your home.

8. Spend Time Outdoors

Spending all day at a desk or looking at screens can take its toll. So, on your days off, make sure you spend some time outside. It could be going for a hike, visiting a park, or even camping. Whatever the activity, being out in the fresh air can energize you and improve your mood.