Keeping yourself on an even keel…

Life can be a little too hectic and demanding at times, so it’s important to establish a few coping techniques. 

Today I have three top tips – motivational messages, pamper time, and how to ease an aching back for those who spend hours on the computer!

MOTIVATIONAL MESSAGES:

As an author I’m used to deadlines, but recently I had three lots of edits/proof reads from two different publishers all arrive within a couple of days of each other. Normally that’s not a problem – if they arrive one at a time. There’s no schedule for their arrival and normally the deadline is two to three weeks. That gives plenty of time to cope with the little problems life throws up on a regular basis and the usual ankle-biters – that unexpected blip on the computer, family demands, invitations you can’t refuse and (as it’s summer) hay fever.

It was time to focus and prioritise. After a few extremely long days, interspersed with babysitting duties (which are, of course, top priority), two of the three tasks were ticked off my list. Then back to the biggest task – a full structural edit.

So how do I keep it all together when, even in my ‘super-organised life‘, things I cannot control hit me head-on as if I’m being tested? Well, a few months ago I discovered The Universe Has Your Back! It’s a 52-card deck of cards from Gabrielle Bernstein, the gorgeous artwork is by Micaela Ezra.

Each morning I shuffle the cards until one falls out and I keep that card on my desk as a motivational tool. On the day that the third lot of edits arrived, two cards fell out and suddenly my spirits lifted. It reminded me to stop stressing and get on with it! I realised that: A. I’m fortunate enough to do something I love and I should never forget that, and B. once these three deadlines are out the way I can get back to my work in progress. Which is a Christmas book and I love being in Christmas mode!

I’d slipped into ‘woe is me’ mode, when the work really is fun AND although it was an obstacle, I was going in the right direction! The natural reaction to suddenly being swamped (when you are a planner) is to panic. Panicking wastes time and energy, and it’s a negative emotion. I also read tarot and oracle cards, which I find a great de-stressing tool, but I’ll come back to that in a future blog post.

 

This beautiful deck of cards costs around £10.00 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universe-Has-Your-Back-52-card/dp/178180933X/

 

and I can honestly say they are a little boost to kick-start my day. What I also find rather surreal, is how often the message really links in with whatever is going on with me.  There is a lot of negativity in this world and sometimes it can hit you when you are least able to fend it off. You might be feeling unwell, struggling with a problem you can’t easily resolve, or have had your armour dented. Enough to have chipped away at your confidence. Here’s one card that really made me stop and think, on a day I was feeling quite emotional:

I recognise that I have chosen fear, and I choose again.
I CHOOSE LOVE.

Enough said. If you are looking for a little bit of happiness in a box, these might just be for you.

 

PAMPER TIME!

A spa day is a very rare treat for me. I’m probably working harder than I’ve ever worked in my life before and I’m happy (and grateful) to be doing that, BUT I’m always aware of stress. Just spending hours in front of a computer screen, or even sitting in the garden writing on my iPad, it’s all pure concentration. So how do I unwind?

My weekly (sometimes twice-weekly if I need it) pamper kit doesn’t cost a lot.  I nip into our local HOME BARGAINS store and for less than £5 I’m sorted. The Dead Sea Collection bath salts (£1.99) are amazing and my favourite is the lavender oil salts, although I do like the coconut oil variety, too. Containing magnesium (for good metabolism), potassium (for good energy flow), bromide (a natural antiseptic and skin smoother), chloride (for good cell mineral balance) and sodium (which balances water levels) a 30-minute soak revitalises and relaxes me. One tub this size (34.2 oz) is enough for 5 sessions.

While I’m soaking I love the Derma V10 woven masks. Usually they are on sale at just under £1 each. Soaked in collagen, you lay the mask over your face while you relax in the bath. It’s cooling on the skin and leaves it feeling very soft. 

I’m also an avid fan of exfoliating – and I will be posting more about this in a future post on home facials. The gloves, which cost £1 a pair, last for months. I use Cusson’s Imperial Leather gentle care soap for sensitive skin and find that it lathers well on the gloves, leaving my skin with a little glow.

A home spa treatment that doesn’t cost a fortune – but always test
a product on your skin before you use it for the first time.
Just in case you have an allergy, or it’s too strong for you.

OH, THAT ACHING BACK…

Even though I take regular breaks, I work long hours on the computer. I use an old, wooden, science lab stool which aligns my spine without any conscious effort and is very comfortable. But I’ve found, increasingly, that I’ve been rounding my shoulders, almost hunching them without noticing what I was doing. 

 

I purchased this Gritin posture corrector for £9.99 and the different it has made is incredible. I wear it whenever I’m typing. Well, to be honest, I wear it all the time when I’m at home. And when I’m exercising (more to come on that topic very soon). 

Not only has it stopped the ache I was getting, but muscles – it seems – have a memory. My posture has never been the best, but I do stand straighter now and feel much better for it. I certainly no longer roll my shoulders forward while I’m typing and that, too, encourages me to maintain the natural curve of my spine. The one I purchased is out of stock at the moment but a quick look on Amazon and I found a similar product:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GXSNVMD/

But there are lots of styles to choose from to suit every price range.

 

I think that today’s post pretty well sums up what’s going on in my life at the moment. Some very intense periods of work which I’m trying my best to balance out by making sure I feel good. Both mentally and physically.

When I’m on the other side of this frenetic period, I will be able to take some quality down-time. But my focus is firmly on not comfort eating, or over-indulging in anything that will end up leaving me feeling jaded. I still fit in my exercise regime every other day and adhere to the healthy eating programme I began almost a year ago. 

What has to give? Well, social media isn’t just a part of my work, it’s a part of my life. It’s how I stay in touch with people I don’t see very often. However, I’m only human and there are only so many hours in a day. So to friends awaiting messages from me – “waves” and so glad you popped in to see what I’m up to! I will be back, I promise. I just have a Christmas book to finish and then I’m taking a break… maybe…

 

Please note – all opinions are my own. Any products/links I share are because I have purchased, or used the product, and I have no affiliation with the product/person/organisation. As they say – sharing is caring and if you find something you like, then job done! Until next time…