The whole concept of ‘treating yourself’ isn’t new. We’ve all seen the ~iconic~ Parks & Recreation episode, we’ve all been sucked into buying hundreds of dollars worth of new hyped skincare, we’ve all splurged on a new outfit. Those things do make us feel great, but the whole act of being kind to yourself doesn’t need to burn a hole in your wallet.
Considering the year we went through in 2020, and the fact we’re all a bit more aware of how important maintaining our mental health is, doing things daily that ensure we’re giving our brains and bodies a bit of TLC is essential. It can be easier said than done, so we had a chat with Elly Miles about the things little things she does daily to make sure she’s treating herself kindly.
Listen To Your Bod
We can all be so hard on ourselves. Seriously, between work, uni, friends, personal goals and more, we’re naturally accustomed to navigating heaps of pressure. A little bit of stress is good for performance sometimes, but listening to your body and understanding when you need to turn the breaks on is the best kind of gift you can give yourself.
“If I’m having a day that just isn’t very good, I always make sure to be kind to myself and just listen to my body. I have always found that going to the beach or for a nature walk helps to ground me and lift my mood. When it comes to TV shows, I’m definitely an action/thriller/sci-fi/fantasy kinda girl! My most recent absolute faves have been Vikings, Fate – Winx Saga, Game of Thrones and Your Honour. Oh and Bridgeton of course! Definitely not what a single gal should watch on her own, had to watch an ep or two of blood, guts and gore on Vikings after that to stop feeling sorry for myself,” said Elly.
She’s also a huge fan of pampering sessions when the time calls for it too.
“But on some days, I just want to binge-watch a series on TV while I cuddle my dog and eat my favourite foods! I also love a bit of a pamper sesh to lift my mood as well. If I really want to level up my pamper sessions, I just chuck on a robe. If there’s a sure-fire way to add a little dusting of elite-ness to your “me time”, a little robe moment is an absolute must.”
Don’t Forget A Sweet Treat
Gen Z love to indulge in tiny treats. Whether it’s a morning iced latte, or the boomer’s least fave, avo toast, we really do realise the value in the small things. Although we cop flack for wasting our money on this stuff, in reality, spending $4 on a morning coffee isn’t hurting anyone, and if it makes you happy, go for it. At the end of the day, boosting your mood with a little sweet treat is a simple and inexpensive way to give yourself some love.
“The ultimate way I love to treat myself is definitely by having something yummy to eat. I’m such a foodie and definitely have a sweet tooth! I really enjoy a Pining for Lime Proud & Punch pop as an afternoon or after-dinner treat most days. The little bonus of them being vegan makes the treat even more worth it,” said Elly.
Lift Up Your Mates
Last, but not least, talk to your mates. Sometimes when we’re not feeling great, talking it out is the best way to lift ourselves and others up. Our friends are our one-way ticket to good feels and having them in our lives is a true blessing, so show your gratitude for their existence. It doesn’t have to be a huge gesture either, a small message or a meme-tag is enough to spark those endorphins we require.
“Often, people tend to flip a situation back to their own issues when someone opens up to them, so I am conscious of being actively listening to what they have to say,” said Elly on the importance of talking to friends daily.
So, hopefully, you’re feeling a little more encouraged to take on every day knowing that there are so many easy ways to boost yourself. Seriously, it’s 2021 and we should be all clinging to any bit of happiness we can get.
