Are you excited for the days ahead? Do you feel overwhelmed by all the tasks or wonder how everything will fall into place?
Start practising some reseting and start the week ready to achieve your goals and thrive.

It is not that difficult, needs no special ingredients or tools and the results will last for days after. 

YOUR MIND

Gratitude:

Start your Reset day (mine is Sunday) by practicing gratitude. Even though I do this every morning, on Sundays I stop to reflect on all things big and small that I have been granted during the week. It is so easy to get caught in the day to day, living in a hurry!

Set your positive mindset. Reflect on those things you’re grateful for and visualise how you want them to be part of the week to come. 

Make space:

Declutter your mind by writing down, with pen and paper, everything that is on your mind. Yes, everything:

That to-do list, the idea for a Christmas present you have (even though it is July), a recipe you want to try or the reminder to call your friend. There is no judgement. The good, the bad, the doubts and the fun; all gets it’s space. If you want new things you have to make room for them. And this stands for your mind as well as your closet.

YOUR TIME

Open your agenda:

What does the week ahead look like? What is already in your calendar? Make a note of things that need special preparation or that are part of bigger things.

It is time to plan:

Now you know what to expect, plan your week. If something is complicated, do as I told my children, “break it up”. If your to-do list is long, set priorities. If you need to wear something special, take it out, make sure it is clean, iron it.

And most importantly, prioritise your tasks and make sure you are incorporating self-care time into the schedule.

YOUR BODY

Take planning into the kitchen:

Do you open the refrigerator and ask yourself what to prepare just before each meal? Create a meal plan and not only will you take the guesswork out, but you will spend less time in the kitchen, reduce waste, keep on track with your healthy eating goals

Now let’s go shopping:

Once you know what you’ll be eating, you can make an ingredient list, see what you are missing and head to the shop. This will also help you not to buy tempting add-ons, forget something you will need or buy yet-one-more of ingredients you have plenty of.

Meal Prep:

You don’t have to have all meals prepared and packaged for the week. Sometimes just having the ingredients prepped, the vegetables chopped or the fruit washed is all you need to be ready for the week ahead with not added stress around meal times.

Plan your movement:

If you, like me, always seem to put other things ahead of taking care of yourself, this is the perfect time to schedule your workouts for the week. Do it in a way that holds you accountable and prioritises YOU: book a class, tell a buddy a time to join you for a run or be part of a group. They will make sure you take care of yourself as much as you look after others

YOUR SOUL

Connection makes you stronger:

Surrounding yourself with people you love is not only about having a social life. People from the Blue Zones have proven that it is a key aspect of longevity as well. The sense of belonging allows you to have a support group that understands your life journey. Cultivate this group even if you don’t live next door: call them regularly, organise visiting each other or even new experiences together.

Take the natural approach:

Starting each day with a short walk outside not only regulates your melatonin and sleep cycles, it allows you to begin the day without flooding your brain with stress-inducing cortisol. If you start with your phone instead of nature, you are bombarding your brain with distractions and starting the day reactive rather than proactive.

Do it just for YOU:

Before you go to bed, make sure you take some time -it can be two minutes for an extra massage with lavender oil, 30 minutes for a bath or five minutes for a face mask- just for self care. As long or as short time as you spend, these are minutes just for you. Breathe!

Daily non-scheduled:

Not everything has to be scheduled but some things need to be accounted for: walk after each meal (it will help digestion and keep your insulin levels  checked), start the day by hydrating, finish the day with a stretch and deep breaths (add aromatherapy for extra bonus-check previous blog).

Forgot something yesterday? Every day is a new beginning and a chance to remember you are worth.

YOUR SPACE

Tidy and calm:

When you look around, make sure your space matches your organisation. Take a few minutes, through out all those receipts, post-its or notes from last week. Clean your desk, put away the laundry, the dishes and the clothes that are still on the chair in the bedroom. An organised space will make you more productive and continue your stress-free approach to start the week.

Refresh Your most used Space:

No, not the kitchen. I am talking about the BEDROOM! Change your sheets, the mattress air. Open the windows, let some fresh air in. And put some cosy touches if you want: flowers, a new throw-blanket or a new natural fragrance

The “house” you take along:

Look in your purse: that restaurant receipt doesn’t need to stay there, the mascara should be back in the make-up bag and the long gone snack bar should be replenished. Having your essentials at hand – Keys? Check.  wallet? Check. Your gym card? Oh, THAT is not there!- will help you start every day with no bumps.

Whatever day you choose to plan your week, taking some minutes for your body, mind, soul and space will pay tenfold in stress-free and successful days ahead.

A little planning. A huge difference.