Winter Wellbeing: Taking care of yourself this season

Tis the season to get those woolies down from the loft, over indulge yourself, people please and battle with dried out, lack lustre skin to name but a few!

Winter is finally upon us and it's a season filled with mixed emotions; festive fun and January blues, reflecting over the last 12 months and trying to feel positive about the year ahead. Plus the weather — those cold, miserable, rainy days coupled with dark mornings, as well as evenings with not much sunlight is enough to make us all feel mixed about the next few months ahead.

Lately I've noticed how many people I've spoken to that have confessed that they get really down in the winter months, especially once the clocks have changed. The Royal College of Psychiatrists state on their website that 3 in every 100 people will suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder, this is when your mood and behaviour changes in relation to a change in the season and starts to disrupt your day to day life in a negative way (for more information and advice on this you can visit here and here for support).

For a lot of us who don't suffer as seriously but just need a little seasonal boost, putting our wellbeing front and centre can make all the difference and there are a few simple ways to put some self care rituals into place.

Plan to Succeed!
If you're somebody who puts everyone else's wellbeing first, or maybe your winter calendar is super hectic then planning in some time for you really works. Using a diary - paper or digital - really works! You can still buy 2019/20 academic ones in the shops right now or maybe treat yourself to a new one for the new year! I schedule in chunks of time on a monthly basis in my diary for personal self care and then pop on some smaller, positive things on my weekly to-do list, like taking a bath childfree and uninterrupted! Batch cooking some healthy, warming soup, planning in an afternoon to catch up with a friend or blocking out time for any early night! This is what works for me but you need to figure out what activities or practices work for you!

A family affair!
Do you know what makes prioritising wellbeing and self care easier? When you get other in on the act! Talking to your family, or friends/colleagues about what your priorities are really helps. Let them know what they can do to support you and don't forget to encourage them to think about theirs and offer some support to help them too.

Create a Bucket List!
A simple wellbeing hack is to create a seasonal bucket list of all the things you want to do that you know will make you feel good. You can do this just for yourself or get others involved, and you can theme it too, you can choose to make it a low budget one, an outdoorsy one, a festive one, a food related one, a new thing every day one, whatever you fancy! You can write it out in a journal if you have one, you can keep it private or share it with the world, you can even print it out, laminate in and put it on the kitchen cupboard, hell you can even make a Pinterest board out of it!! Get creative as you like but remember to keep feel good, positive wellbeing at the centre of it and make it achievable too so you feel motivated and inspired to keep ticking activities of the list!

So are you feeling more inspired to take care of your wellbeing this season now? Because you are really worth investing in! If you want EVEN MORE inspiration, tips and ideas on taking care of yourself this season then take a look at my Winter Wellbeing Workbook here.

5 Podcasts to boost your wellbeing

It took me a little while to start listening to podcasts but once I did I really got into them in a big way!

On my favourites list I have a whole array of different types shows — business, astrology, creative to name a few but the ones that really soothe my soul are the podcasts based around personal growth and wellbeing.

These are my little audio life savers, each presenter has something honest, authentic and valuable to bring into my world, giving me food for thought or wisdom to ponder over. All parts are my life get covered from parenting, to relationships, to healthy eating and beauty, and so much more. No matter what your wellbeing focus in on one of these is bound to tick that box.

So here are my top 5 podcasts to boost your wellbeing:

Alison Perry - Not Another Mummy Podcast
Although you may not instantly associate a parenting podcast with your wellbeing Alison doesn't really focus on the everyday bits like weaning or sleep routines. In the past she's recorded shows on mindful drinking, body confidence and maternal mental health. I love too that the shows that are more child centred as a bit different like breastfeeding an older child, getting your child into STEM and raising a child with a disability. Her guests are fun, fresh and insightful, the kind of people you'd love to have a chat with over coffee. Even though I'm a mum I'm not one for listening to parenting based podcast but Alison's is so much more than just about being a mummy!

Adrienne Herbert - Power Hour
This podcast really is an hour of powerful talk and captivating conversation. Adrienne has featured some big names on her podcast including a few of my favourites like Suzy Reading and Sarah Wilson and her thoughts and insights on cultivating positivity in your life are real game changers, I especially like her episode back in September about the 5 Pillars of High Performance.

Nicola Elliot - The NEOM No BS Guide to Wellbeing
So far this podcast only has 6 episodes available but they are all worth downloading. Focusing in on some big wellbeing issues like sleep, anxiety and feeling energised, Nicola interviews some amazing guests who are experts in these fields like Chloe Brotheridge and Madeline Shaw. For me this is a lovely podcast to curl up to with a blanket and a mug of something hot — a perfect winter wellbeing audio boost!

TED Talks Daily
If you're a fan of watching of watching TED Talks then you'll love listening to them too! This is a great podcast to listen to when you're in the shower or commuting to work, easy listening but leaves you with something to think about too. If you're new to TED Talks they cover a massively wide range of topics from medical to business to relationships and world affairs and everything in between. Every speaker has spent time working, studying or researching in their chosen subject or topic and have amazing insights to share. I find TED Talks are a great way to expand or challenge the way I think about myself and the world around me and a great listen for anyone who loves self development.

The Goop Podcast
Ok, I have to admit I'm a bgt fan of Gwyneth Paltrows anyway! I've been getting my regular Goop email updates into my inbox for a few years now and my dream would be to go to the annual In Goop Health festival, and now that there's one in London it may just be even more possible! This podcast is packed full of self care and wellbeing inspiration and covers so much from privilege to feeling fear to sex and relationships to money to health and then some! Past guests have included Michelle Pfeiffer and Jasmine Hemsley to name a few and will have you wanting binge listen to them all, one after another!

I would love to know which one you like, and if you have any wellbeing podcast recommendations! Just share on the comments below or head on over and join in the conversation on Instagram or Facebook.

HER WISDOM - CHLOE CILIBERTO

Well, I am so happy to finally be bringing a new woman of wisdom to this series, it's been a while since I've featured someone here. Today I'm introducing you to Chloe Ciliberto, a small business owner, social media manger, blogger and mother of two!

Chloe and I bonded on Instagram last year when we were both pregnant and expecting our boys around the same time. While Chloe was in labour with her baby she decided to set up her own business helping women grow their small business and that's what she literally did then and there - I know, she's pretty inspiring right?!

I'm such a massive fan of Bump to Business and have been taking on boar and implementing all of Chloe's advice over the last 6 months, it's been so exciting to watch her business grow too! She's so full of wisdom and is incredibly authentic and down to earth and I know you will love her too!

How do you begin your day? What are the first 3 things you do to get your day started?

I love mornings! I’m such a morning person! My mornings usually begin with being climbed all over by my two little ones. It’s usually 5.30am and they always have so much energy.

I always try to start the day with the same routine. My youngest still isn’t sleeping through the night and lack of sleep does make me so grumpy. I’ve tried to combat this by creating a routine that helps me to show up with the best energy for the day, no matter how little shut eye I’ve had.

The first thing I do is get my littlest dressed and set up with toys. Then I get straight into doing a meditation to help me de-stress before the day even begins. I then follow this by some intense exercise. This really helps to wake me up! 

After exercising, it’s coffee and breakfast time. We usually all have breakfast together and this is when I get my journal out and do some gratitude and affirmations. This routine has honestly changed my mindset for the better. It makes me feel grounded, happy and also so ready to seize the day. 

Share your favourite piece of wisdom and why it means something to you.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable! 

I am so in love with this phrase at the moment. I think it’s such a good piece of wisdom to live by. Especially if you are trying to grow a business! I’ve realised a lot in the last year, that the uncomfortable thing is usually the thing that is going to help you to grow. 

I’ve been trying to live by this for the past year and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone has honestly changed my life!

What is your go-to thing of comfort when it all gets too much?

A walk by the sea! I seriously love a good a walk to decompress. I do put a lot of pressure on myself (I’m the girl who decided to build a business alongside full time work and a new baby - oh dear) and everyday I have to take some time out, otherwise I get really overwhelmed. 

I think time out from work, technology, the busy-ness of life etc is super important for anyone though. It’s so nice just to re-ground yourself. I usually take time out around the school run time. We always try and pop out to the beach or we go to a coast path somewhere for some fresh air. It always re-charges me straight away.

Who are the women that inspire you?

I am so inspired by women who are starting their own online business from home and who are paving the way for other women to do the same. There seems to be a real movement of women supporting women at the moment and I am all for it!

I would share some of those women but my list would be way too long!

How do you see yourself and what makes up your sense of identity?

I see myself as someone who is always trying to inspire others to reach their true potential.  I have such a strong desire to help others (I’m an INFJ on the Myers Briggs test which is so fitting) and to show people what is possible for them.

I also see myself as someone who is very health conscious, family centred and I definitely put self-growth and personal development at the top of the agenda. 

Do you have a favourite dish or recipe that makes you feel good or gives you a much needed boost?

A smoothie bowl always makes me feel so good! I am obsessed with smoothie bowls. They’re not only delicious but they always give me such a surge of energy. I try to change them up a lot, but my favourite is a berry bowls topped with lots of seeds and nuts. 

What does confidence mean to you, what builds yours? 

Confidence to me means being unapologetically you. It means showing up as your true authentic self and not caring what others think! 

As someone who has always struggled with being introverted, shy and very self-conscious, confidence is really something I’ve had to work on a lot. 

I’ve spent a lot of time in the last couple of years trying to get comfortable in my own skin and trying to feel happy in myself. I mentioned above about ‘getting comfortable with being uncomfortable’. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and trying new things has really helped me to build confidence. 

What's challenging you right now?

Mum guilt! Oh my, it can be so tough trying to build a business while raising kids can’ it? I honestly have so much respect for anyone who does it. I created myself a daily balance planner which has definitely helped me so much with the Mum guilt. I’m now super intentional with my time and I make sure that both of my littles get a lot of 1:1 time with me. But, I don’t think it matters what you do. Mum guilt seems to always be hovering nearby!

Tell us more about your latest or next project.

I’ve just released a new mini course called ‘The Perfect Pitch and Pricing’ guide and the feedback on it so far has been amazing!

I know so many bloggers and freelancers who struggle to both pitch for work and who also struggle to price themselves. 

I have years of experience working in both blogging and freelancing and pitching is one of my favourite things to do! I have been so lucky to have landed some amazing projects, clients and campaigns and I do put it all down to pitching. 

The pitching part of the course shares with you a step-by-step guide on how to create the perfect pitch every time. It also shares ‘ready made’ pitching templates that you can edit to fit exactly what you need. 

I also really wanted to include a pricing guide as part of the course. Money seems to be a bit of a taboo subject in the freelancing/blogging world and unfortunately it’s also very common for freelancers and bloggers to undercharge for their services. 

I was someone who was undercharging for way too long too and by undercharging you end up feeling really undervalued and you often end up having to take on so much more work just to get by. 

18 months ago I ended up tripling my rates and it made such a huge difference to my life. I really wanted to include this section of the course so both freelancers and bloggers can see exactly how much they should and can charge for their services! I hope that this part of the course is not only really helpful, but also so empowering!

You can connect with Chloe on Instagram or check out her lifestyle blog and business website.