To feel well, take on life, and give the best of ourselves, we all need a pit stop occasionally to recharge.
Life as a working professional and caregiver is often overwhelming and stressful. This is normal. As is taking time out for ourselves for activities to calm our nerves, make us feel good, and boost happiness.
When times are tough, what’s more effective at rebalancing situations and emotions than self-love, self-care, and a bit of self-prescribed TLC?
Feel good activities for our five senses
Based on the 5 4 3 2 1 Grounding Exercise to calm nerves and anxiety, my top 10 activities boost happiness by stimulating our five senses.
These feel-good activities take you through your senses to bring you to the present by engaging sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound.
These recommendations, based on my experience, make me happy and provide a source of inspiration. You can adjust the list to suit your personal preferences. The important thing is to make time to actually do the things that make us feel good and boost our well-being and happiness
Disclaimer: This post and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows it to continue with posts like this. Thank you for the support! Everything here is based on information I learned from online resources and personal experience. Please do your own research before making any important decisions in order to make the best decision for you.
1. Top reads /Authors
- Mo Hayder – my all time favourite author
- Karin Slaughter – Crime fiction
- Arthur Golden – Memoirs of a Geisha
- Khaled Hosseini – The Kite Runner
2. Top podcasts, tunes & audio books
- Grounded with Louis Theroux
- The Social Value podcast
- Favourite playlists – create your own Rock anthems and Power balads
- Kate Lawler – Maybe Baby: On the Mother Side
3. Feel good films
- Dirty Dancing
- Mama Mia
- My Big Fat Greek Wedding
- Grease
- Brokeback Mountain
- The Prestige
- The Devil Wears Prada
4. Laugh for happiness
- Treat yourself to a girls day out or night away. Surround yourself with your besties, indulge in the good life, let your hair down, go for a pamper, something sweet or stronger, and enjoy the laughs and giggles along the way. For a fun afternoon and evening in the heart of London, get yourself to Mamasons, watch feel good show Kinky Boots and / or enjoy a fun and laughter filled Magic Mike!
5. Art for well-being
- Visit the Tate to explore how art connects to feelings and well-being
- Put this into practice by following tips from the Royal Collection Trust
- Art Therapy Courses are available too!
6. Exercise
- Hot Yoga and pilates are great for releasing cortisol (stress hormone) from the mind and body
- Endorphins are released during activities like exercise and help relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve sense of well-being.
- Hot yoga and pilates can be done nationwide and at my favourite Hot Yoga Club Surrey
7. Get on the road
- Go for a drive along a scenic route.
- Not only does it allow for thinking space, it helps us reflect differently about things that have been on our mind without distractions or interruptions.
- As we drive, the brain’s central executive stays alert throughout, safely allowing for ample thinking time.
- To boost happiness, why not play your favourite tunes too!
8. Retreats & spa days
- YogaFit Retreats Ibiza
- Agua Spa at Sanderson
- Champneys resorts & hotels
- WAVE Spa and Wellness at Crowne Plaza, Gerrards Cross
- Frimley Hall hotel & spa at Camberley, Surrey
- Create your own home-spa by booking a home massage, pop-up hairdresser, and wallowing in the bathroom with your favourite scented candles, bath oils, skincare products at bath/shower time.
9. Indulge your culinary senses
10. Have a clear out and deep clean
- Deeply cathartic and allows you to give back to society and the environment.
- Choose a day and time without distractions and interruptions, put on your favourite tunes, open windows, and plug in a diffuser or light a candle or incense. Beautiful!
Caregivers TLC
To feel well, take on life, and give the best of ourselves, we all need a pit stop occasionally to recharge.
This is particularly true for caregivers and working professionals whose lives are often overwhelming and stressful.
Taking time out for ourselves to relax, calm our nerves, make us feel good, and boost happiness is important.
When times are tough, what’s more effective at rebalancing situations and emotions than self-love, self-care, and a bit of self-prescribed TLC.
