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By Corina Tan
After a hectic end to last year, the new year brings new opportunities to look at things in a fresh new light. It could be a good time to reassess your wellness routine or upgrade your current self-care plan. If you want to start 2022 on the right foot by being mindful, healthy and inspired, we have listed some self-care swaps you can make that require very little effort.
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1.Trade single-use food storage for reusable ones
Start the year healthy by eliminating concerning chemicals found in some food packaging. Swap plastic baggies for food-grade silicone bags, or tin foil and plastic wrap for reusable covers.
2.Swap your phone for a colouring book
Step away from social media and focus your energies on a colouring book that can reduce anxiety and nurture your creativity. It also calms busy minds, relaxes you and improves your mood.
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3.Trade drinking for an outdoor walk
Instead of spending weekends socially drinking, play your favourite tunes or podcasts, and take yourself on a head-clearing stroll. Walking has so many benefits including weight management, bone and muscle strengthening, cardiovascular fitness and diseases prevention, just to name a few.
4.Replace mundane workouts for a trampoline
At times, your regular workout can seem like a mindless chore and you struggle to feel motivated. Moving should be something you enjoy and the latest workout trend called “rebounding” which is essentially jumping on a mini-trampoline is the chosen stress-reliever of some of the fittest stars. It provides an excellent cardio workout and mental stimulation to boot. Some experts say that rebounding can be more effective at fat-burning than jogging.
5.Trade your blow dryer for a microfibre towel
Save time and ditch your blow-drying habit for a rapid absorbing microfibre towel instead. Microfibre towels are purported to dry hair dampness faster than cotton towels, keeping your locks healthier in the long run.
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6.Trade your throw blanket for a weighted one
A weighted blanket claims to have immense sleep-enhancing and anxiety-reducing benefits. It helps to promote ‘deep touch pressure stimulation’ that boosts moods and promotes solid sleep. Furthermore, the relaxing principles behind this therapy are commonly used to calm people with autism or sensory disorders. Usually available in different weight categories based on a person’s own body weight, manufacturers also go the extra mile to ensure that the materials used are of premium quality giving you the most comforting sleep.
