Drop the kale; are you taking care of your inner self?

So we’ve all pledged to eat less fat and more lettuce, give up the booze and jog 10km a day. If you haven’t then you are being bombarded by health campaigns vying for your money to sign up to a gym and replace the contents of your fridge with quinoa, kale and coconut water. But are you sparing a second thought for the health of your soul?

Take a bit of me-time and do one of the following every day. Even if your body isn’t a temple by Valentines Day your soul will be.

Here are some great ways to take better care of your inner self:

1) Laugh

Sounds simple but when was the last time you let go and had a good belly laugh recently? Having a good giggle lightens the most stressful of days and can actually improve your health.

You Tube is all the equipment you need for this workout. What’s funnier than a dog playing the piano or an old lady falling off a ladder?!

2) Sing

Shut the car windows, crank up a cheesy tune and belt it out as loud as you can. Singing lessens stress, exercises your lungs and strengthens muscles you don’t normally use.

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3) Look at a tree

Ok stay with me for a minute, this isn’t as crazy as it sounds.

As well as exercising, we all should take a moment to be calm. If like me you struggle to meditate without thinking of every chore you have to do in the next week, try the next best thing and look at a tree.

Find a quiet spot by a window or on a rug in the garden, relax and watch. Take some deep breaths and just let the gentle sway of the leaves take you away.

Close your eyes and listen. If you can’t clear your mind, pick a happy daydream. Even 5 minutes of this will have you more relaxed and ready for the day. If no one is looking give your tree a quick hug for extra Zen points. Go on, you know you want to!

4) Dance

You don’t have to join a fancy danceasize class or invest in leg warmers and leotards to get your boogie on.

Shake your booty when vacuuming, tango in front of the telly, or krump in the garden while watering the flowers. Again this is good for the body as well as the soul. Combine it with belting out your favourite tune and a hairbrush and you’ve ticked off two soul workouts in one!

5) Spread some love

Doing a good turn for someone not only helps them but makes you feel good too. Mow your neighbours lawn or bring in their bins, help an elderly person cross the road or nurse an injured bird back to health. When your good deed is done, give yourself a hearty pat on the back and rest assured your soul has had a good workout.

Why not try some of these techniques; your inner self will thank you.

When’s the last time you’ve danced like no one was watching? Please share with us in the comments below.

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