The Ultimate Guide to Self-Care this Valentine’s Day

14th February can be a day filled with love, but many of us overlook the importance of showing love for ourselves and prioritising our well-being. We can get so caught up in our hectic schedules that we forget to take time to pause and to do things that bring us joy. Why not start to break these habits this Valentine's Day? We provide five wellness-boosting tips to leave you feeling refreshed and energised all year round. 

Sunlight is a natural mood-booster. Whether you take an early morning stroll or soak in the sun rays on your lunch break, spending time outdoors improves mood and energy levels so try to make the most of the available sunlight. When it is not possible to get outside during daylight hours, bright light therapy provides an alternative mood-boosting solution!

To sustain your energy levels, try to introduce a holistic approach to nutrition. Start your day with a protein-rich breakfast, and aim to have regular, balanced meals and snacks throughout the day to maintain consistent energy levels. Skipping meals can lead to a dip in energy. If you opt for coffee to power through your afternoon sluggishness, be mindful of the half-life of caffeine (the time that it takes for half of the caffeine to be eliminated from your body). This averages approximately 3 to 5 hours. To increase your chances of getting a good night's sleep, it is recommended that you do not consume caffeine for several hours before bedtime. Why not explore caffeine-free alternatives such as warming herbal teas?

With such busy schedules, it can often be difficult to find time to switch off but this is crucial for our well-being. Light a candle, read a book, have a relaxing soak in the bath. Do whatever makes you feel at peace and allows you to disconnect from the stresses of the digital world. 

Spending time each day practising gratitude has been shown to boost happiness. This involves allowing yourself to reflect on who and what you are grateful for. It could be a mental exercise, visualising as you assess this internally, or it could take the form of journaling. Find what works best for you and try to integrate this into your daily routine whether this is first thing in the morning or before you go to sleep.

Good quality sleep is key to feeling refreshed and energised for the day ahead. Research suggests that the alerting blue light and stimulating content of mobile phones can cause poor quality sleep when used a minimum of 30 minutes before bed. Try to ban the use of screens from your bedroom to increase your chances of a good night’s sleep. Having appropriate bedroom lighting is also key to unwinding and feeling ready for sleep. Lumie wake-up lights mimic the colours of a sunset, promoting your body’s natural sleep response through gradually fading light. This allows you to feel ready for sleep and to drift off naturally. In the morning, waking naturally with the gradually brightening light of a Lumie sunrise, leaves you feeling refreshed and ready for the day. The ultimate wellness-booster!