Every spring, the glorious prospect of sandy beaches and sun-drizzled surrounds encourage us to whip ourselves into shape, bust out those cleansing scrubs and indulge in some self-pampering to look and feel the best (and most bronzed) we can for the warmer months.
But as autumn starts to rear its ominous head – as well as the prospect of darker, colder, paler times – it’s easy to stop taking care of ourselves. We can go into hibernation mode and forget to nourish ourselves like we did over the summer.
So to encourage self-pampering through the chilly months ahead, Diet Coke have compiled some simple fixes that will ensure you’re still treating your body and mind as the temple that it is, every day (after all – you’ve still got to look good for that Christmas party in a couple of months!)
We’re also giving you the chance to win a shopping spree every day! And it’s not just any shopping spree. Whether you fancy the ultimate wardrobe makeover or you’re dreaming of an epic trip away with friends, you get to decide exactly how you spend it.
Yoga and meditation first thing is relaxing, indulgent and an ideal way to ease yourself out of your state of sleep and into your waking day
Ease yourself in
Even though we’ve spent the night resting, springing out of bed and straight into a daily schedule can be counterproductive.
So allow yourself time when you wake to ease yourself into the day ahead. Take time in the morning to enjoy a warming drink, eat breakfast and reflect on what’s in store for the day.
Mornings are the perfect time for exercise or stretching. If it soothes your body and mind to take exercise first thing (and get it over and done with as a result) then make sure you do – you won’t have it loitering in the back of your mind all day and you’ll feel better for it.
Yoga and meditation first thing is relaxing, indulgent and an ideal way to ease yourself out of your state of sleep and into your waking day.
Take Cheryl’s advice
Pop star and new mum Cheryl recently admitted that one of her beauty secrets was coconut oil.
She’s right. This oil (which is not expensive and can be bought for about €5 for a generously-sized jar) can be used on the skin, in your hair and is even digestible.
Use it after bathing for a silken, glowing complexion and run it through your dry hair for the same effect.
When it comes to cooking, it’s an organic and healthy substitute for other cookery oils, giving the same effect and tasting just as good. It just comes without the guilt and is a dream for your digestion.
Pop star and new mum Cheryl recently admitted that one of her beauty secrets was coconut oil
Get steamy
It’s simple, effortless and will make you feel wonderful: steaming your face for just a few minutes a day will give you that pampered, fresh feeling as if you’ve enjoyed a quick spa treatment at home.
Take a large bowl, fill with boiling water, and drip some eucalyptus oil or lemon juice into it. Leave for a moment, grab a towel and place your face in the bowl (don’t get too close to the hot water) with the towel over your head.
Allow the scented water to massage your skin and inhale in and out, clearing your sinuses and opening up the pores on your skin.
This will freshen your complexion, wake you up and make you feel clear-headed.
Take a large bowl, fill with boiling water, and drip some eucalyptus oil or lemon juice into it
Bath. Thyme.
Having a bath rather than a shower takes a little longer, but is worth it.
Think about what goes into your bath. Invest in bath creams, salts and herbs like thyme, rosemary and lavender to scent it.
Choose your products wisely – take time to select lotions and scrubs that agree with your skin, your senses and your personal tastes.
Choose scents that evoke fond memories for you, and surround yourself with these when you take your bath.
Light candles in whatever colours you enjoy, and ensure you have the time to relax in your bath, with music, Netflix, or a good book. Turn this into a Diet Coke break and enjoy a chilled can as you surround yourself in the warming bubbles.
Using five minutes of bath preparation time to set up your surroundings and create the mood is crucial to feeling pampered in the bathroom.
Think about what goes into your bath. Invest in bath creams, salts and herbs like thyme, rosemary and lavender to scent it
Get muddy
Face masks aren’t something you have to go to a spa to get done – there are several ones for the home that are simple and effective and allow you to feel like you’re indulging in a treatment.
You can even make your own – there are all sorts of home remedies and recipes for homemade face masks that can be found online on official well-being sites.
Otherwise, pick up one of the many pre-made packets or jars of mud, clay or serum masks that are out there on the market. Volcanic-based masks rich in natural minerals work wonders.
Pick up one of the many pre-made packets or jars of mud, clay or serum masks that are out there on the market
Flower power
It’s okay to buy yourself flowers.
Whether you live alone or have a household of people, peppering bursts of colour and fragrance into your living space is an extra way to inject that pampered feeling into your day-to-day life.
A simple bouquet brings with it something visually pleasing, it brightens the home and can be enjoyable to arrange and then look at as you go about your other household tasks.
And if someone else should be buying these for you – drop hints!
Whether you live alone or have a household of people, peppering bursts of colour and fragrance into your living space is an extra way to inject that pampered feeling into your day-to-day life
Happy feet
We’re on our feet all day; so it’s important to make sure there’s a time during the day to insist you’re off them.
It’s important to let your feet breathe and relax, having spent the day trussed up in shoes and dashing around.
A foot spa is an ideal appliance to have at home for when you want to treat your feet to a little indulgence. Add a little baby lotion with vitamin E into it for some added care and if you’re really feeling decadent add fresh petals to the mix.
A foot spa is an ideal appliance to have at home for when you want to treat your feet to a little indulgence. Add a little baby lotion with vitamin E into it for some added care and if you’re really feeling decadent add fresh petals to the mix
Moisturise
Everyone has skin, and everyone needs to take care of it.
But moisturising shouldn’t be a chore – it can be an indulgence and relaxing.
Whenever you prefer to do it – after a shower, before bed – take five minutes to smother your entire body in whichever creams, lotions or oils you enjoy.
Treat every day like you’ve have a day in the sun – moisturising in daily life is as important as putting on aftersun in the evenings on holiday.
Cover yourself from head to toe to ensure soft, supple skin, giving yourself a glow and making you feel positively seamless.
Cover yourself from head to toe to ensure soft, supple skin, giving yourself a glow and making you feel positively seamless
Don’t be too hard on yourself
Literally.
Ensure your relaxation space is cosy and soft and buoyant.
When you pamper yourself at home there’s no reason at all not to treat it like you’re at your own mini-spa. Have that freshly laundered robe and slippers at the ready for your downtime. Warm your towels and PJs so when you get out of the bath, dry yourself and get ready for bed you’re surrounded by a toasty heat.
Snuggle up in the evenings with pillows and throws. Light candles or a fire. Take the extra five minutes it might take to do this to set the scene. Make sure your bed is turned down when it’s time to go to sleep, adding that inviting element into your nighttime ritual.
Take time
It’s easy to get swept up with everyday life – work, family, friends – and as a result we can allow health and well-being to fall down the list of priorities.
One of the simplest ways to ensure this doesn’t happen is to force yourself to dedicate a pocket of time every day to focus on you.
Even if it’s 15-30 minutes before the rest of the household gets up, or after work or before bed – setting time aside to give yourself a pamper is the best way you’ll make sure to actually do it.
Forget fitting everyone else in for an allocated slot of the day, and use that time for you first and foremost. Pleasing everyone else can wait.
Go to your nearest store and pick up an ice-cold Diet Coke for the chance to win.
For more info see Diet Coke’s competition webpage.
One of the simplest ways to ensure this doesn’t happen is to force yourself to dedicate a pocket of time every day to focus on you