5 Ways to Help You Enhance Your Well-being When You Work 9-5  

Maintaining your health and well-being can be somewhat of a challenge when you work 9-5, or in many cases, more like 8-7. Free time is precious, and with just two days at the end of your week, it can be hard to cram in everything you need to do, plus find the time to relax and catch up with Netflix (very important stuff!). Even scheduling a doctor’s appointment can be tricky if you try to make it so it doesn’t eat into your working day. That said, we should all try to work on improving our overall well-being and making the time to see to our personal health; after all, is there anything more important?

So, how can the modern-day girl balance a busy career and social life, and still make time to see to her well-being? Try one or more of these ideas; they just might help!

At-Home Spa Evening
Finding the time to do nothing can actually be very challenging! Slow down, prioritize, and clear a few hours in the evening to enjoy a little “me time.” Run a hot bubble bath, light a few of your favorite candles, and grab a magazine you’ve wanted to read. Or set your iPad up on a bath caddy and wind down watching your favorite movie. This spa experience is free and will provide you with much needed relaxation time, and perhaps even a little motivation boost. We all need a pamper session once in a while, so why not try and make this a once-a-week occurrence?

Lunch Break Acupuncture
Are you taking your lunch break? Many of us don’t–in fact, only around 30% of workers take their full lunch break. In many cases, you don’t get paid for breaks you don’t take, so make sure you take yours and spend the time wisely! Why not use your hour to enjoy a session of acupuncture? Ok, enjoy might not be the right word, but acupuncture is actually very effective for migraines, which are often caused by too much screen time. If you find yourself constantly glued to the computer, mobile, or iPad screen, you may find you suffer with an increasing number of headaches. Make an appointment with your nearest acupuncture specialist for a consultation–it may do wonders for not only your migraines, but your overall well-being, too.

Morning Yoga Sessions
Exercise before work? Extra time in bed always sounds appealing, but we could all benefit from a little pre-work exercise to get our brains geared up for the day ahead. If you don’t fancy anything too hard core, a yoga session might just be the perfect option. You’ll be able to stretch all of your muscles and strengthen your core. Try to work yoga into your routine at least three times a week; you’ll feel the health benefits quite early on. And you don’t have to spend money on a class, either, because there are many free resources online; all that’s required is setting your morning alarm a little earlier!

Evening Meditation Time
So you started your morning with yoga; why not end it with a session of relaxing meditation? You may not have considered meditating, but the benefits include reduced stress levels, improved concentration, and increased positive emotions and life satisfaction. Set aside 30 minutes to an hour before bed to practice meditation. If you’re new to this, you might find guided meditation useful. Check out YouTube; you can find various guided meditation soundtracks there.

Danish Hygge
Have you heard of hygge? This Danish concept refers to the art of living in cozy comfort. It’s all about the simple little things, like snuggling up to the fire, getting lost in a good book, or preparing a wholesome dinner with friends. Slow down a little, appreciate your surroundings, and create a comfortable home to enjoy and relax in. Think of textures, faux fur, blankets, and, of course, candles. Comfortable loungewear is also a must. Check out Amazon for some coffee-table worthy books about hygge living.

Trying all of these tips at once might overwhelm you, so take it day by day and slowly begin to add little steps into your routine. Don’t underestimate how important it is to look after yourself, and never feel guilty for enjoying some alone time. You’ll be thankful for it in the long run and, hopefully, you’ll begin to feel more rejuvenated than ever before!