Come this time of year and we’re all feeling the fatigue. It’s been a long slog with external elements like load-shedding, water-shedding, petrol price hikes and increased cost of living, adding extra pressure to our already stressful lives.
“Between working all day, eating on the run, and having little time to relax, it’s normal to feel exhausted sometimes. However, always feeling worn-out isn’t healthy and can leave you less productive and less happy. That’s why it’s important to take some time out for yourself, especially towards the end of the year,” says Clere skin care’s brand manager Su-Marie Annandale.
A long-time advocate and supporter of self-care, self-love, and strong, independent women, Clere understands that time should always be set aside for self-love and care. If you’re battling with daily burn out, you may need to take some steps to recharge your battery. Annandale provides the following ideas:
Recharge yourself physically
Taking good care of your body can make it easier to recharge your mind. Being stressed can take a toll on your body. Help recharge your body with the following activities:
Pamper yourself – There’s nothing like a soak in a bubble bath to relax you. Keep the pampering going after your bath by applying a moisturising crème or lotion like Clere’s. Clere’s Vanilla Honey Cream and Berries & Cream body lotions, enriched with tissue oil and pure glycerine, help reduce the appearance of stretch marks* and moisturise the skin. Remember to apply it morning and night, even in summer.
Change your diet – Your energy levels are impacted by what you eat. Experts recommend a mix of complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and starchy vegetables, with lean proteins and healthy fat at each meal. It’s possible to cook and eat nutritious meals, even if you have a busy schedule.
Exercise – When you’re very exhausted, it can be tempting to just sit in front of the TV after a long day. However, that usually makes you feel more tired. Instead of sitting down to recharge, try getting up and moving around. Walking or biking — even just for 20 minutes — can leave you feeling energised for hours.
Get more sleep – Sleep is the ultimate body recharger. Experts recommend seven to nine hours of sleep per night for healthy adults ages 26 to 64. Getting fewer than six hours of sleep per night is a risk factor for burnout at work.
Recharge mentally
When it comes to recharging your personal battery, it’s important to pay attention to your mind. Thinking about the things that stress us out often makes it harder to recharge. Here are some things you can do to soothe and energise your mind:
Make a list of your accomplishments – It’s common to feel like you can’t keep up or are not doing enough. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, write down a short list of your accomplishments. This can give you motivation and energy to move forward.
Let go of past mistakes – A common source of stress comes from focusing on past mistakes. Help let go of the past by focusing on your goals for the future.
Do something fun – Having fun is an important part of staying mentally healthy. Going away for the weekend, seeing old friends, or going out can all help.
Take breaks from things and people that bring you down – If certain people or situations have you feeling down, take a break from them. This could mean putting certain relationships on hold until you have the energy to deal with them.
Spend time with close friends and family – Good people radiate good energy. Recharge by spending more time with people who boost you up.
Take a break from technology – Others’ lives often seem ‘perfect’ on social media, but they rarely are. Feeling like you must live up to a certain expectation can be draining. Put social media on pause.
*8 out of 10 women saw an improvement in their stretch marks and it helped even their skin tone
Clere’s range of crèmes and lotions are available at all leading retailers at an estimated cost of R38.99 and R25.99, respectively.
