As we enter a new year, many of us are making commitments to improve our health, wellbeing, and general lifestyle. One of the most popular ways to approach this is to dip into—or wholeheartedly embrace—the “sober curious” trend. Rather than swearing off alcohol altogether, this lifestyle involves significantly reducing your alcohol intake whilst enjoying alternatives, […]
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]]>As we enter a new year, many of us are making commitments to improve our health, wellbeing, and general lifestyle. One of the most popular ways to approach this is to dip into—or wholeheartedly embrace—the “sober curious” trend. Rather than swearing off alcohol altogether, this lifestyle involves significantly reducing your alcohol intake whilst enjoying alternatives, including 0% alcohol beers, beautifully crafted alcohol-free spirits, and healthy, tasty smoothies. Read on for three key reasons why this lifestyle could be for you.
Health
As with so many alcohol-related issues, health is top of many people’s agenda when they try the sober curious lifestyle. We all know that drinking to excess is bad for us, and swapping out some of your Friday night cocktails for mocktails can make a massive difference in terms of your energy levels, skin and hair health, emotional state, and sleep. Why not order in some artisanal “gin” to make some mocktails, a good one has all the flavor and aroma of the real stuff, only with 0% alcohol.
Finances
If you’re going out for drinks regularly, you don’t need to be told how expensive drinking alcohol can be. Whether you’re picking up a round for your friends or simply treating yourself to a few after-work wines, these bills can mount up. Whilst ordering low-or-no-alcohol drinks out can still get pricey, you will tend to drink less of them, as mocktails and the like won’t have the hazy effect that makes you forget quite how much you’ve already consumed.
Enjoy the Moment
If health and money aren’t motivators, many people find that when they’re drinking less, they actually have a better time. Memories are clearer, conversations make sense, and you can leave the party or event at a sensible time, basking in the glow of satisfaction that comes from knowing that tomorrow, there will be no hangover to contend with. A sober curious approach means you can still enjoy a few drinks here and then if the mood does strike you, but not every event will centre around the alcohol.
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Making small changes to your lifestyle can have a big impact on your mental health. From prioritizing sleep to trying midday yoga, here are three ways you can take on some of the lifestyle trends this year. Ditch the Alarm Sleep health experts have come up with a radically simple approach to improving your sleep—ditch […]
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]]>Making small changes to your lifestyle can have a big impact on your mental health. From prioritizing sleep to trying midday yoga, here are three ways you can take on some of the lifestyle trends this year.
Ditch the Alarm
Sleep health experts have come up with a radically simple approach to improving your sleep—ditch the alarm. While this only works for those of us who can have flexible work hours or a later start to the working day, evidence suggests it does work. The approach works by setting a bedtime (so you ensure you’re always in bed at a certain time of night), but then not setting an alarm for the morning. The idea is that you will naturally wake at the optimal point, once you’ve had enough sleep and rest. It also avoids the stress and panic which can ensue when the alarm suddenly wakes you.
Kore Kawaii Shop (@korekawaiistore)Try Yoga at Midday
Morning yoga has long been a trend, and for those of us who work evening classes are often the best option. However, this year there will be a focus on using your lunch hour to get some healthy movement in. Not only does this break up the working day, it ensures that those of us who work in desk-bound jobs loosen up stiff muscles and joints, and it can also have a positive impact on energy levels for the rest of the afternoon. Even ten minutes can have a positive effect, so roll out that yoga mat.
Evening Meditation
Setting aside some time each evening to do a meditation will become a big focus for many of us in 2024. Sometimes, mornings are too rushed and busy, and the middle of the day can be too distracting—this makes evenings, perhaps post-dinner when you’re relaxed, the ideal time to settle down and focus on stilling your mind and taking deep breaths.
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The past year has seen most of us sheltered at home, and with travel restrictions still taking place— the future of vacations still isn’t clear. And yet, there’s a chosen few among us who shape their reality with greater freedom, carving some time off and treating life as a playground of possibilities rather than a […]
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]]>The past year has seen most of us sheltered at home, and with travel restrictions still taking place— the future of vacations still isn’t clear. And yet, there’s a chosen few among us who shape their reality with greater freedom, carving some time off and treating life as a playground of possibilities rather than a set of restrictions. Such is Michelle Halpern’s philosophy. An LA-based travel guru, her motto is: “Live Like it’s the Weekend”. And boy does she put her money where her mouth is.
After leaving a corporate job in fashion at the end of 2015, Halpern discovered an alternative to a 9-to-5 job: travel blogging. She has since visited over 40 countries, inspiring others to take a leap of faith and live by their own rules. “For me, living like it’s the weekend means saying yes to opportunities and invitations because I have the freedom to do so,” says Halpern. “It means taking spur-of-the-moment adventures to discover something new and beautiful because I don’t have to ask anyone else’s permission.”
Her adventures include anything from vacations on exotic shores, where the dress code is bikinis and flowy dresses, to mountain hikes, where she’s seen sporting a beanie and a pair of hiking boots. “Sometimes I feel bipolar in the things I love about travel,” she admitted in a recent Instagram post. “By now you know I love a bougie design-centric hotel or cafe, but I also love waking up at sunrise to catch the light coming up over the mountains with not a soul in sight just as much.”
Her multi faceted approach to travel also meant she had an open mind when it came to traveling in times of the pandemic. According to Halpern, 2020 has taught her to appreciate local travel (in her case, meaning California). “This year made me appreciate how much there is to explore in my own backyard and it showed me that even when travel fully opens back up again, I don’t need to take a 13-hour flight to arrive somewhere incredible,” she wrote in another blog post. “There are still so many destinations on my own California bucket list, not to mention just a short drive away in other states.”
Her optimistic approach and YOLO attitude is just the kind of energy we need in 2021.
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From the outskirts at least, it seems that the Nordic people have discovered the secret to happiness. Time and time again we see countries like Finland, Norway, and Denmark, rank highest in the “happiest countries” lists. The main reasons might include factors like high income, good governance, and an overall caring for others. But there’s […]
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]]>From the outskirts at least, it seems that the Nordic people have discovered the secret to happiness. Time and time again we see countries like Finland, Norway, and Denmark, rank highest in the “happiest countries” lists. The main reasons might include factors like high income, good governance, and an overall caring for others. But there’s also that unique Scandinavian lifestyle. Words like hygge and lagom jump to mind, with an emphasis on well-being and relaxation.
These days, a new trend is on the rise: Skimbaco. Finnish entrepreneur Katja Presnal explains that she invented the phrase back in 2007, when she lived in Durango, Colorado. The term itself is a made-up combination of “Skimba” (a Finnish slang word for a ski) and “co”, which stands for Colorado.
“Skiing in Colorado was our way of living life to the fullest back then,” Presnal further explained. But Skimbaco doesn’t necessarily mean skiing in Colorado. Rather, the term is meant to inspire others to live life to the fullest, whatever that means to each person.
“Skimbaco is enjoying the moment where you are—you define your own skimbaco,” writes Presnal on her website where she promotes the Skimbaco lifestyle. “Skimbaco is the nordic lifestyle of having guts to go after your dreams, and finding happiness in your everyday life.” According to Presnal, Skimbaco is best understood as a combination of sisu, hygge, and lagom. The Nordic equivalent to YOLO.
In order to promote this lifestyle, Presnal also has a dedicated Instagram page, where she shares some pearls of wisdom. Skimbaco tips are often understood as a call for action. A recent post reads: “Do more than just write to-do lists in pretty notebooks”. “Happiness is action that you take everyday,” says Presnal. “Happiness is gratitude for what you have. Happiness is having guts to pursue big dreams.”
Presnal’s call for action might just inspire us to get out of our PJs! But then again…
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When it comes to feeling good, it’s often all about the little things we do every day. Small habits can be much more important for your wellbeing than big things you do sporadically, and these trending self-care challenges will prove it if you give them a chance. Go on a Walk Without Your Phone While […]
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]]>When it comes to feeling good, it’s often all about the little things we do every day. Small habits can be much more important for your wellbeing than big things you do sporadically, and these trending self-care challenges will prove it if you give them a chance.
Go on a Walk Without Your Phone
While walking and listening to some music or a podcast can be great, taking walks without your phone can be even better for your mental health. It’s important to snap out of the virtual world and notice all the things around you that you’d miss otherwise.
Creative Time
Playtime and creative time are just as important as focused work, and you should schedule some time for creative activities on a daily basis. It can be anything you like—drawing, playing music, baking, etc.
Reading
If you commit to reading only 10 pages of a book every single day, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can go through books! Of course, 10 pages don’t have to be the limit if you have time for more, but doing those 10 pages every day is important for making it a habit.
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Hygge, the Scandinavian concept of staying cozy inside during the cold winter months, made us spend more time in our homes over the past few years, but this year we’re all about friluftsliving, a lifestyle that focuses on the outdoors. The Scandinavians are experts in setting new lifestyle trends. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic got […]
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]]>Hygge, the Scandinavian concept of staying cozy inside during the cold winter months, made us spend more time in our homes over the past few years, but this year we’re all about friluftsliving, a lifestyle that focuses on the outdoors.
_______________________________________________________ #lofoten #norge #mittnorge #utno #norway #liveterbestute #turjenter #mitteventyrland #mittfriluftsliv #lofotenhighlights #turistforeningen #dnt #inatur #fjelltid #lofotenislands #northernnorway #dreamchasernorway #stedervielsker #bestofnorway #norgestoppen #nortrip #earthpix #mynorway #nrknordland #nature #discoverearth #landscape #friluftsliv #aktivejenterThe Scandinavians are experts in setting new lifestyle trends. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic got us all to stay inside more even during summer, so we’re looking for ways to spend more time in nature. Since this year won’t be so great for gathering extended family and friends for the holidays, we need to find safer alternatives to have fun and enjoy the upcoming months.
Friluftsliv or friluftsliving means “free air life”. This concept comes from Norway and the #friluftsliv tag on Instagram shows almost a million photos of forests, rivers, landscapes, and other beautiful things in nature. Spending a few hours per day in nature is a good way to improve your physical and mental health and to decrease stress and it seems that the Norwegians have mastered this.
Don’t wait; dress comfortably and in layers, pack some food, and go spend some time in nature with your family or your best friend. The great thing about this is that it’s perfect for all ages, and there are so many activities you can do with children to turn it into an adventure!
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If you’ve opened Instagram in the past few weeks, then we don’t have to tell you that picnics are super-popular right now! Thanks to all the adorable accessories available in stores, picnics have never been cuter. It seems like everyone is picking a perfect picnic bag and a blanket and taking some shots for social […]
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]]>If you’ve opened Instagram in the past few weeks, then we don’t have to tell you that picnics are super-popular right now! Thanks to all the adorable accessories available in stores, picnics have never been cuter. It seems like everyone is picking a perfect picnic bag and a blanket and taking some shots for social media.
(@naymauu)Given that we’re currently living during a pandemic, the amount and variety of activities we can do are limited. Spending some time in nature with our closest ones is something that’s still safe, and if you’re going to do it, better do it in style.
You can blame Instagram influencers for this trend. But even though it started on social media, it quickly spread to real life. The reason is simple—nobody can resist delicious food and drinks packed in a picnic basket and enjoyed in nature with those you love. Picnics look incredible in photos and are also a great idea for a couple or family photoshoot.
Now more than ever, we need to focus on good things in life and small pleasures that can make our days better. If having a picnic gets you out of the gleamy rut, there’s no reason not to do it!
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We never thought we’d say this, but the current situation calls for some drastic measures. Drinking wine at home is not enough anymore; we’re quarantined, and it’s crucial to bring that glass of wine to another level. Luckily, enough people think the same so there’s even a trend about this. Kalsarikänni is a word that […]
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]]>We never thought we’d say this, but the current situation calls for some drastic measures. Drinking wine at home is not enough anymore; we’re quarantined, and it’s crucial to bring that glass of wine to another level. Luckily, enough people think the same so there’s even a trend about this. Kalsarikänni is a word that means enjoying wine at home in your underwear and it’s the latest trend that comes from Finland.
We’ve always loved Scandinavian trends and Kalsarikänni only proves that those guys know what they’re talking about. After a long day of doing nothing in isolation, who isn’t up for a glass of wine with no pants on? It can be enjoyed in front of a TV while scrolling through social media, or during a virtual gathering with friends. Just make sure the camera doesn’t reveal that you’re only half-dressed up!
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If you’re becoming sick and tired of life, you probably need to pay attention to slow living, a new lifestyle trend that’s quickly becoming super popular. It’s based on the principle of taking time for yourself and spending some without any prior schedule. Slow living is all about taking the most out of your free […]
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]]>If you’re becoming sick and tired of life, you probably need to pay attention to slow living, a new lifestyle trend that’s quickly becoming super popular. It’s based on the principle of taking time for yourself and spending some without any prior schedule.
Slow living is all about taking the most out of your free time, but we wouldn’t exactly call it a productive philosophy. Instead, it encourages you to actively pursue moments when you do nothing instead of constantly juggling several things at once. In a way, it’s an opposite of multitasking – a way of life where you do one thing at a time and don’t feel like you’re wasting time when you don’t do anything.
If you’re used to living a fast life, the thought of slowing down may give you anxiety at first, but it’s actually necessary for long-term health in a physical, mental, and emotional way.
Would you give it a try?
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