Family Life Archives | Page 7 of 11

10 Ways to Build Your Brands Relationship With Bloggers

Right, you have just started a business or are planning on launching one this year.

You have a great product/service and a snazzy new website. (If you haven’t got a website yet, I highly recommend these guys).

You have set yourself up on social media. (Facebook & Instagram have personally been the best 2 resources for driving traffic to The London Mummy but people rave about Pinterest which I haven’t quite mastered yet).

Your friends and family have been supportive but you can’t rely on them forever. You have used your wider network.

Now you need to get yourself out there and market yourself to… your target market!

We are all getting used to the new wave of media that has taken the world by storm in the last few years. There are Bloggers, Vloggers, Instagrammers, Blogazine’s and Microbloggers (who ‘blog’ on a social platform) to name a few.

Bloggers are becoming popular with businesses and PR companies as it is now apparent that an audience is more responsive to a personal recommendation than an old school advert.

I have worked in PR and am now on the other side. The former is much harder let me tell you. If you have your own business, you have to do your own PR.

I am coming up to 18 months of this blogging lark and I absolutely love it. I love that I am free to do what I want, free to research, read, shout about and give exposure to people, products and places that I have chosen. So how do I hear about these people? Most often they contact me and that is what you have to do. Reach out!

How to build a good relationship with bloggers (if you want to use them) and how to maintain that relationship –

Research some blogs that reach your target market (ie fashion, parenting, travel blogs?) When you approach them, make sure you use their name and get the spelling right. It is also obvious when it is a generic email (I understand that sometimes it’s a numbers game) but you are more likely to get a good response if you make it personal. Have you actually read their blog?
Better yet, say why you like it (not for the ego) and even follow on 1 or 2 of their social media channels.
Why not organise a small launch in a local cafe with a few local bloggers. If a blogger says they can’t make it – don’t get the cyber pip! You have to think about building a long term relationship, so reply with a ‘I understand’ etc (if you reply at all – sometimes not necessary…)
Some bloggers receive a lot of requests. If you want them to differentiate between requests, give them an incentive – whether that’s a coffee, pay the taxi ride, offer a goody bag or send a sample. If you don’t have a budget, a good incentive would be that you share the post on your own social media or ‘press page’ on your website.
If a blogger has agreed to give you exposure and sent you a list of questions and requirements i.e. types of photos, links etc rather than send over 10 different emails, send just one email with all the information. It makes it so much easier!
Send loadable images! Don’t send thumbnail images but on the other hand don’t send too high res (as it is a massive hassle resizing photos!).
I can’t say I am a fan of Dropbox. I prefer being sent pics in an attachment but perhaps that’s just me. Don’t send every marketing photo you have ever shot either!
Be polite. Nothing worse than suck up central when wanting something and then you hardly hear from them when it’s done. Manners maketh man and all that.
Not only should you say thank you if you want them to include you again, share the post on your social media and make sure you tag them correctly. (You press the ampersand @ then write the ‘handle’ and it should come up in bold).
It’s also polite to comment on the post if you are tagged in it and it is about you. If a PR company has arranged the exposure for you, it is still a good idea to reach out and makes you relatable.

If you are starting a new business and are thinking of doing so this year, I hope you have found this post helpful. There are some excellent resources under ‘Careers’ on The Ultimate Directory. I will also be putting a series together of my favourite websites & bloggers in all the different sectors, so watch out for that too.

Lastly, if you email me with your new business, I will put together a post all of you who have asked!

Remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get!

Have a great day xx

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Family Life Services

12 Apps For An Easier 2017

And a very Happy New Year to you all! There was a fleeting moment when I thought my first post of the year would be my resolutions/goals for 2017. However, not being self deprecating – I discarded it pretty quickly as thought it wouldn’t particularly benefit you (less sugar, more walking – yawn yawn yawn) and my ultimate goal is to inform you, not bore you! Instead, I thought a list of my favourite apps would be a great way to kick start the year!!

Cozi

This app ‘made me’ say goodbye to my trusted Filofax as I could no longer read what I had written. Husband to Diddi Dance and (2yr old) in Japan. Just no. You get the picture.

With Cozi, everyone has the app (our au pair does too) and each person is assigned a colour. Anyone can enter an appointment or holiday and it updates on everyone else’s app. There is also an area for to do lists and shopping lists. I LOVE IT.

Task Rabbit

This is great if you have a one-off small job i.e looking for waitresses, someone to walk the dog or a patient person to build you your Ikea shelves. Book them in (they can come within the hour) and per them per hour. Super duper.

Amazon Alexa

We have just kindly been given the Amazon Dot which is ‘dot’ that you have in the kitchen – connected to your phone and the wifi – and you can ask it questions, play music and rather dangerously order things (you have to have an Amazon Prime account) It is such fun too and a great way to bribe the kids. ‘The first one to finish your broccoli gets to ask Alexa a question…’ (They love ‘Alexa – tell us a joke!’)

Touchnote

One of my friends asked me jokingly the other day ‘have you forgotten how to write?’ as she received another thank you letter from me using Touchnote. Basically, you buy credits, upload a photo, enter the recipients address, write your blurb and press send. I do think it is as personal as a hand written thank you as you get a personalised photo! (Justify justify…)

Photobox

I have lost my phone and the subsequent photos one too many times to make the misatke of not printing out my photos.

With Photobox, you upload your photos from your phone directly onto the Photobox app, order them and they will arrive within 48hrs. You can also order personalised presents.

Waze

Why was I using a separate Sat Nav for so long when this beauty was around? Move over Google maps (and trad maps for that matter). Simply put in your destination postcode and it will navigate you to the place you are going to, whilst avoiding any heavy traffic along the way. (You can even choose Sue Perkins as the voice!)

Uber

If you haven’t downloaded Uber yet, what have you been doing? No, seriously, it is a fantastic way to get from a – b for a reasonable price. I have a discount code to give you £15 off your first ride TLMUBER if you are a newbie (My pleasure)

Deliveroo

Perhaps I shouldn’t mention this at the start of the year when most people have healthy intentions BUT you really should have this app if you like a variety of takeaways (Carluccio’s take away? win!) With a minimum order of something ridiculous like £10 it is a great option if you are home alone too. #snoutfest

My Fitness Pal

Leading on from the above, if you want to watch what you eat, My Fitness Pal is a great calorie counter. Enter your goal weight, how much you exercise and it will give you your calorie limit for the day. Then simply enter your food – they even have specific meals from restaurants – drink and exercise each time something passes your mouth and you will see how many calorie allowance you have left (for that glass of wine at the end of the say!)

Hoop

I have written about the fantastic Hoop before here. If you are ever at a loose end with your kids, enter your postcode and it will show you what’s on around you. Genius.

Mush

If you have just had a baby or moved to a new area and are looking for some like-minded mum pals, Mush ‘the tinder for Mum’s’ has made this app a perfectly acceptable and practical way for meeting other mums in your area.

Zipjet

Schedule your washing to be collected and dropped off at a specific time. Can also do your dry cleaning! I have only used this when our washing machine packed in but could easily get used to it!

I hope you have found this useful. For more Apps & Services, please have a look at The Ultimate Directory. I always love to hear what makes your life easier (and if I am missing a trick!) so drop me an email hello@thelondonmummy and say hi (or if you receive my emails, simply reply!) xx

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Family Life

8 Tips For a Happy Christmas With Your Other Half

We all know that Christmas is a pressure cooker of emotions, routines and expectations. It is meant to be a happy time of year but it can end up being the most stressful. What’s most important is that you and your other half are on the same page because if you are united – children playing up, traffic jams and the fact you have forgotten the presents – will be all the more bearable if you aren’t at each others throat.

So, how to do that?

Plan

Planning isn’t sexy, but if you take time to plan in advance – it will pay dividends in the long run.

Decide who is doing what, what your timings are and who is in charge of what, before the holidays commence.

This is part of our check list that we will delegate between each of us –

Wrapping
Packing clothes
Packing car
In Car entertainment
Route planning
What we are doing each day (without zapping every last minute plan)
Mealtimes

(I just made that up now, I don’t actually have a check list that I make us go through!)

Anyway, you get the picture.

It’s Not a Competition

You both work hard. You are both knackered. You both deserve a break. But remember, it is not a competition who is the most tired/over worked etc. Treat each other how you would like to be treated.

‘Are you ok?’

‘Would you like anything?’

‘Is there anything I can do for you?’

These are a few thoughtful questions that will make the other person feel valued and understood.

Remember, it is not a competition.

Divide and Conquer

When we first had kids, we did everything together at weekends. Now we have 3 it life is a bit more hectic.

It is sometimes more effective and peaceful to divide and conquer.

Why not factor in giving the other one total guilt free time off a couple of hours a day?

I am going to suggest 1 of us does breakfast (him!) we all have lunch together and 1 of us does kids tea (I opt for this ones so it can coincide it with a glass of wine!)

Get Some Rest

Each family has their achilles heel. For us it is tiredness. We know that we don’t function well if we have over cooked it or had a late night.

Once or twice during the silly season is a given – it would be rude not to let your hair down at Christmas, but otherwise we make sure we get a good nights sleep so we are on the best form possible for the next day.

Early drink, early bed!

Anything to keep Vivian emerging (my alter ego!)

Compromise

Are there things that you are pre-empting? Talk about them. This is one tiff that always arises which we have worked out how to overcome.

My husband likes sharing his food. I don’t. Especially when he wants my last mouthful. (Yes, i am greedy/selfish) Anyway, we have overcome this by compromise.

I will share my food at the beginning of my meal but heaven forbid he wants my last mouthful!

Lower Your Expectations

If you don’t expect anything, you won’t be disappointed.

Ok, this may seem like a negative way to live but in terms of presents, behaviour and the amount of alone time you want etc look at everything as a bonus rather than an expectation.

Chill out!

Family & OCD are not a good combinations. If you both have different standards, this can often be a bone of contention.

I know that my husband likes me to leave the bed made, curtains pulled, clothes put away if I leave the bedroom last and he is a bit irksome at kids mealtimes, so I want him to leave me to it. (hence why he will be doing the morning shift!)

But remember, don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s not worth it. Will you remember when you are 86?

Live In The Moment

These years when the kids are gone will be gone in the blink of an eye.

Live in the moment.

Enjoy it.

See the good on everything.

Make happy memories.

Put down the phone.

Don’t wish it away.

Love each other.

Keep your mouth shut.

Don’t react.

Be still & etch the joy on your kids faces this Christmas in your heart forever.

Have a very very happy Christmas

Love

Lucinda xxx

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Activities Family Life Spotlight

How To Drop a Dress Size In Two Weeks with Amanda Stotesbury

Crash dieting/exercise is frowned upon by (mothers!), nutritionists & fitness gurus as it is deemed unhealthy and unsustainable. ‘You will only put the weight back on…’ blah blah blah Perhaps this is true (we will wait and see!) but if you are like me, you need a kick-start to see results quickly. Therefore you feel encouraged and hence it is easier to continue… So, how can you drop a dress size in 2 weeks?

Basically, it started as the stars aligned. I didn’t think, ‘oh December is going be my month to get healthy!’ (Why would anyone choose this month?)

I haven’t eaten breakfast for a long time, but when a nutritionist from Nestle Breakfast Cereals said

‘If you don’t put fuel in a car, it will stop suddenly, so why would you not put fuel in your body at the beginning of the day?’

I really felt she was talking to me! I always crashed at 11 and made unhealthy choices, so since then in November I have started having breakfast with the kids (usually porridge)

This helped me energy levels enormously.

When I heard about Amanda from Bella Bello and her two-week kick-start course, I jumped at the chance to give it a go. Amanda is a personal trainer and pilates teacher and works throughout London.

She came to my house 3 times a week and either trained me at home, interval training in the park or on an actual jog. I must say, I loved the boxing the most – might have to get some gloves!

Amanda may even bring her dog Goose!

She also enlightened me about a common problem woman have after pregnancy. No, not weak pelvic floor (although that is super important!)

Diastis Recti

It is basically the gap in your abdomen after pregnancy and unless you close it through breathing and pilates exercises, normal sit ups will futile and only make the problem worse, hence never getting your abs back. We worked on this and she showed me some exercises to narrow the gap.

If you would like her to check your Diastis Recti, drop her an email and she will very happily swing by for 10 minutes and give you a quick prognosis!

Anyway, usually at this time in December, my face is puffy, I am grabbing a croissant for breakfast due to a permanent hangover and I am tucking my tum into Spanx.

But not this month!!

I actually went for a jog this morning. This is a view of the Thames from Hammersmith Bridge.

She also recommended two great apps Gym Boss for interval training and Nike Training for prompts & encouragement whilst you train.

I have also just bought a Nutri Bullet from a friend who is moving back to the States and I have got the kids on board too. They are loving the concoctions.

Amanda gave me so many top exercise and nutrition tips over the course of two weeks and has left me with a little plan to continue what we started.

Amanda’s 5 Nutrition Cheats

Replace pasta with butternut squash spaghetti (spiralized butternut squash) M & S is my favourite
Freeze blueberries as a delicious snack and you are far less likely to eat the whole punnet if it’s frozen.
To battle my mid-week chocolate craving I keep a low-calorie chocolate powder in the cupboard or have a matcha latte.
Instead of ice cream, slice up bananas and freeze. Then put in a blender with anything you’d fancy to make healthier ice cream!!
Eat from smaller plates and bowls this is an old trick but it really works!!

Amanda’s 5 Training Cheats

If you’re struggling to get out and run, just say you’re only going to do 10 minutes. I find the moment you get to 10 you always want to carry on for another 10!
If you really can’t get motivated for the gym put on YouTube at home and find a workout. I love Fitness Blender but there are tons of workouts on there to choose from.
Buy new fitness clothes! This always inspires me to workout.
Not really a cheat but get a personal trainer! No self motivation needed we do all the work for you!
If you don’t fancy running one day then don’t force yourself instead do a 30 minute hiit workout! Similarly if you can’t face lifting weights go for a jog! It’s all about consistency so whatever gets you up off the sofa go for it!

Amanda’s Favourites

Restaurant : Kurobuta Kings Road / Marble Arch or Nama Vegan 222 West Kensington

Hotel : Costes in Paris

Website : Net-a-porter

Shop : Maje, Sandro, Baar and Baas, Sweaty Betty

Holiday Destination Tough one! Our villa in Majorca, Ibiza or Tulum Mexico!

So the real test will be Christmas. With the help of My Fitness Pal I will be able to spread out the calories and if all else fails, I will just book some more sessions with Amanda!

Why don’t you book her for January?

£240 for 6 1 hr sessions.

Now that would be a great Christmas present!

amanda@bellabello.co.uk

bellabello.co.uk

Amanda is also giving away 2 FREE sessions. She will come to your home/office/park and put you through your paces. (Don’t worry, she is firm but fair!)

Email me hello@thelondonmummy.com with Amanda in the subject to be entered into the draw. Draw will close on 21st December.

Good luck! xx

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Events Family Life

Teach Your Children About Giving This Christmas

‘I want that for Christmas…’ for the 17th time during the adverts for Peppa Pig was starting to pain me. So we had the chat. ‘Some children don’t even have a roof over their head, let alone Christmas presents…’ The two year old drew a blank, but the boys got it! I saw an opportunity…

They really wanted to give something this Christmas – so I looked into a few ways they could do that. I hope you will find this rather refreshing after all the recent posts on Gifts!

Salvation Army Christmas Present Appeal

Go and buy a few nice presents and drop them at your nearest Salvation Army. The Salvation Army are receiving new unwrapped gifts to distribute to adults and children who are homeless this Christmas.

Christian Aid Worldwide Christmas Appeal

Go online and choose a practical present for people fleeing violence this Christmas. A hygiene kit, a pair of boots and a days worth of food for a Syrian Refugee. It will also aid you in explaining that most things we take for granted.

Operation Christmas Child with Shoebox World

It’s too late to buy and send a real shoebox filled with treats, so go online and pack a virtual one for a child which they can choose the gender and age for. This then will become a tangible shoebox to children around the world.

I thought The Wellspring Charity Foundation PND Hamper was worth a mention too.

Through The Wellspring Charity Foundation PND Hamper Fighting Poverty you can donate a hamper to someone who is in financial difficulty who you suspect has PND or has been diagnosed with PND. There is even an option nominate yourself.

Another way you can donate is the NSPCC Letter To Santa

Each letter is £5 which goes straight to the NSPCC Christmas Campaign and your child will receive a personalised letter from Father Christmas. No excuse not to really!

Lastly, The Mayor of London website is a great resource to narrow down your search and find opportunities to volunteer in your borough.

Remember, actions speak louder than words and the best way to teach your children is through example, so go and volunteer, buy some presents or get online.

You could even just wear your slippers for Shelter today!

If you know of any other 2016 Christmas Campaigns, please let me know and I will add them xx

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Days Out Family Life

A Gift From Me To You With Uber

Are you at the forefront of discoveries or do you get to the party a long time after other people? I totally missed the Uber phenomena until a friend made me download it in the middle of the night in Piccadilly as there were no taxis around… and the rest is history.

(OK not the type that will be bound and preserved in a museum but you get what I mean)

So when Uber asked me to help with a little collaboration, I was more than happy to oblige.

The fab team at Uber are giving you £15 off your first ride (or free if your first ride is under £15) if you use the code TLMUBER (No catch!) IOS or Android

PS. In case my mother is reading this – IOS is Apple/Ipad/Iphone etc & Android is Smart Phone (Samsung etc)

What’s So Great About Uber?

I have been known to take a bus back on my own at 2 in the morning, trek through rush hour on a freezing night and not drink a drop at a friends dinner party as I knew I had to drive back. Oh yes, I was that person.

I don’t like to call myself tight, just careful. Hey, I would prefer to spend money on other things. Nails are my ‘thing’. This is my next look. Strong isn’t it?

Mustn’t sway from the subject in hand.

So when I finally downloaded Uber – actually the friend downloaded it for me (despite in hindsight it being uber (!) simple and ordered my first car.

Not to be dramatic but my (social) life changed in an instant.

I didn’t get that sinking feeling as soon as I put the kids to bed that I had to do public transport to a destination nowhere near any public transport.

For the price of a Donner kebab (yes, we have been known too – especially if we are walking home!) I could arrive at my destination in the cool calm and collective way that I envisaged how I would at the ripe old age of 35 years. I could even where high heels!

You know what’s even better though, have you tried Uber Pool?

If you pool your ride with someone else, it is even cheaper. It may mean a little divert and being dropped off slightly before your destination but if it saves you a fiver – win! One more Martini Expresso.

I ordered an Uber for my parents from the River cafe in Fulham to Oxted in Surrey. The car and friendly driver arrived in 5 minutes. It took 50 minutes to get home (super speedy) and it was only £30.

My husband took an Uber from Heathrow to home and it was also only £30 – usually it would be about £70.

As you can see, I am genuinely excited. Uber is going to transform my Silly Season!

So, what are you waiting – Download the app here and book that first trip!

This post was written in collaboration with Uber (obviously!)

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Days Out Family Life Food

My Thyme Away With Nestle Breakfast Cereals

Sitting at my computer with the rain pummeling down, it feels like a distant memory that I was actually away for 3 days only a week ago. And what a 3 days it was. Firstly, it was lovely to go away independently of family (!) and secondly to a beautiful place (the spelling of Thyme in the title is not a typo). I was accompanied by fantastic group of other bloggers from around the world to learn about Nutrition, Food Styling & Photography with Nestle Breakfast Cereals.

NUTRITION

Our time started with a talk on Nutrition by Constanza on the importance of breakfast – especially for growing children.

It was a wonderful insight to things I didn’t know and facts that I had ‘forgotten’.

Nutrients missed at breakfast, such as calcium, fibre and certain vitamins and minerals, cannot be made up later in the day.

A balanced breakfast should represent around 20%-25% of total daily calorie intake (although can vary with different National dietary requirements)

A well balanced breakfast should consist of –

Some dairy
A piece of fruit
A glass of water for hydration (tea or coffee is ok!)
A wholegrain based food
An source of protein (or if that is too much at breakfast, a bit of protein mid morning)

What does 1 serving of wholegrain look like?

a 30g bowl of wholegrain breakfast cereal
1 medium slice of wholemeal bread
2 whole wheat crackers
2-3 cups of plain pop corn

We each had to describe our breakfast routine – let me tell you, mine was the least glamorous!

The other perception that I had of breakfast cereal was that it is full of sugar. Not so! There is no more than 9 grams od sugar per serving which is a lot less than I thought there was.

The other great thing to note is that there is more wholegrain than any other ingredient in their cereals (you know the boxes with the green banner across the to?)

DECONSTRUCTED RECIPE MAKING

Next up, we cloaked ourselves in an apron and set to work making a breakfast recipe with the same ingredients that make up Nestle Breakfast Cereals.

I chose Smiley Oat Cookies which are the basis for Cheerios.

Straight from the oven.

I even took them home and they got the massive thumbs up! Next we learnt how to style them for a photo for a recipe book for example.

FOOD STYLING

I didn’t really have a clue and the first thing I did was pack it all onto a tray with a few raspberries and it looked like I was whacking it down for kids tea.

So under the careful guidance of Lou I was given a few tips. This goes for products & flat lays as well.

Natural light. Move your product into the light.
If there are shadows, bounce them off with a piece of silver card.
Reflect the recipe with the accessories. (I.e there no raspberries and blueberries in the Oat Biscuit recipe so why include them in the photo!)
Brush oil on the biscuits to make them shine.
You don’t have to include everything in the photo. You can zoom in.

Lou & the photographer Ellis at work.

After a bit of tinkering, this is what we came up with – my first ever food photo!

COMPETITION TIME

On the last day, we had to make a Nestle Cereal. From scratch. Ouch. It was between these three.

Then the winner would be picked from who took the best photo.

Guess which one I chose – Cheerios! (I was told it was the simplest to make but it wasn’t easy – the piping was a killer).

Once the Cheerios had been double baked with a coating of honey glaze, I left them to cool and got started on sourcing the props I wanted.

Here is a little video of me in action. [embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2T4nsngou_E[/embedyt]

There is no way to share this without sounding boastful, but for purposes of recounting my story it would be weird not to tell you – I actually won!

Collecting my prize – a Polaroid camera. (Can you see my genuine look of delight – I haven’t one anything for years!)

Here was my shot. I am sure it was the lime matching the Nestle logo…

Here are some of the other photos. Hearts from bananas – cute!

The lovely team. From Mexico, Poland, Romania, Indonesia and the UK!

Relaying my few days to the cameras. Need to turn the enthusiasm…

All these wonderful events and classes were interlaced with delicious meals cooked on site at Thyme.

I whole heartedly recommend it away for a weekend away. They also host a cooking school and cookery lessons!

Follow Nestle Breakfast Cereals on Instagram!

nestle.com

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Family Life

Life Passing You By

Last night, I was reminded by John Lennon’s famous life quote…

It resonated. A lot.

At drop off this morning, first day back after half term, the standard response was to ‘How was your half term?’ was a mix between ‘hectic, busy and exhausting.’

So as the pace is going to hot up in the run up to Christmas, here are Olivia Read’s top tips for slowing down so we can really appreciate life. (Read Olivia’s Spotlight on The London Mummy)

PICK THREE that resonate with you the most and commit to taking action on them TODAY!

DO LESS: In our many roles at home and work, we have a zillion commitments every day. Rather than running around like loopy chickens, we need to take back control. Prioritise what’s really important and what you can let go of. Learn to say no or to delegate. Doing less will actually make you more productive.

SWITCH OFF: Most of us can admit to having an unhealthy attachment to technology. Despite endless studies showing the negative effects this has on us emotionally and on our sleep quality, it seems we’re unable to switch off. Our brains are over-loaded and need downtime. Set yourself a no-screen rule 90 mins before bedtime: no checking emails and no social media.

SPACE: London-living can be overwhelming at times. We need regular space and a hit of nature to replenish us. Creating 20mins of space a day around you and your life will rejuvenate your spirit. Read a book, find a quiet haven for your lunch, meditate – whatever appeals to you but ideally spend that time outside, surrounded in greenery. Study after study shows the positive effects that nature has on our emotional and physical well-being.

DISRUPT: Our lives can be spent doing the same things day in day out. These daily routines and rituals force the weeks to drift by unnoticed as autopilot takes over. Disrupt this process and heighten your consciousness by doing something new. Try taking an alternative, more scenic commute home twice a week or explore a new neighbourhood next time you’re out for dinner.

SINGLE-TASK: We’re a generation of multi-taskers and while it’s easy to think we’re rather efficient, in reality it’s chaotic, stressful and ultimately less productive. Our brains simply aren’t capable of focusing on too many tasks at once. Plan your day into 60min blocks interspersed with short 15min breaks for urgent stuff that’s cropped up and a brain dump. During the longer blocks, switch off all notifications so you can focus wholly on what’s in front of you.

HYGGE: Frequently topping the world’s happiness polls, the Danes could teach us a thing or two. Hygge is their concept of living cosily, appreciating the small things in life with good people. As the nights draw in, embrace winter by hunkering down with friends and family who make you feel whole and rooted. Reconnect with your favourite people and enjoy the simple life.

BE GRATEFUL: It’s easy to lose perspective on the important things in life when we’re busying ourselves with the daily grind. Get some perspective back by creating a daily list every morning of 5 things that you’re thankful for in your life. The simple act will slow you down, quieten the background noise and kick-start your day positively.

BE PRESENT: We spend so much time planning for the future or ruminating over the past, that the present passes us by. By engaging in the here and now, we can experience life to its full. Mindfulness takes practice but you can start with small steps. Commit to being fully present in at least 3 activities a day: a meal, bedtime stories with the children, a work meeting, the playground. No phones, no laptops, a clear mind and enter whole-heartedly into the moment.

BREATHE: When you find yourself speeding up and the stress levels rising, pause and take a deep breath, holding it for 10 seconds. It’ll change the chemistry in your brain, reducing cortisol levels and boosting serotonin levels. Doing this for 10mins a day will help you handle stress more effectively and improve your overall well-being.

SET A GOAL: With our energy focused on a million other things, the days can drift by without any clear direction. Life’s driving us rather than the other way round. We’ve lost sight of what we want in life, our goals. Set yourself a 2-month goal and an action plan for achieving it. The goal will give you purpose and motivate you out of the everyday.

Oliviaread.com

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