Gruvy girl
Category

Lifestyle

Category
Career development

Finding Your Zen: Mindful Techniques for Stress Relief and Focus

By 3 Mins Read

In our world of work, work and more work, stress and distractions are constant companions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unable to focus. But there’s a powerful antidote: mindfulness. This ancient practice, rooted in the present moment, can transform your life by reducing stress and boosting your focus.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the simple practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves being fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations. It’s about noticing your breath, the sounds around you, and the sensations in your body.

Mindful Techniques to Reduce Stress

Mindful Breathing:

  • Deep, Slow Breaths: Take slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
  • Belly Breathing: Focus on expanding your belly with each inhale and contracting it with each exhale.
  • Counting Breaths: Inhale for a count of four, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold for four.

Meditation:

  • Guided Meditation: Listen to guided sessions that lead you through relaxation techniques and visualization.
  • Silent Meditation: Sit quietly, focusing on your breath and observing any thoughts or sensations that arise.

Mindful Eating:

  • Savor Each Bite: Pay attention to the taste, texture, and smell of your food.
  • Eat Slowly: Take small bites and chew thoroughly.
  • Avoid Distractions: Turn off the TV and put away your phone.

Mindful Movement:

  • Yoga: Practice poses that promote relaxation and focus.
  • Tai Chi: Engage in slow, flowing movements to improve balance and Mindfulness.
  • Walking Meditation: Focus on the sensations of walking, the sounds around you, and the feeling of the ground beneath your feet.

Mindful Techniques to Boost Focus

Mindful Work:

  • Single-Tasking: Focus on one task at a time, avoiding multitasking.
  • Time Management: Use techniques like the Pomodoro Method to break tasks into manageable intervals.
  • Mindful Breaks: Take short breaks to rest and recharge.

Mindful Listening:

  • Active Listening: Give your full attention to the speaker, without interrupting.
  • Empathetic Listening: Try to understand the speaker’s perspective fully.

Mindful Learning:

  • Focused Attention: Pay attention to the material without distractions.
  • Mindful Note-Taking: Take notes that capture the key points without overloading on details.

Start small. Begin with just a few minutes of mindful breathing each day. As you become more comfortable with the practice, you can gradually extend your mindfulness sessions. Remember, mindfulness is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself, and enjoy the process.

By incorporating mindfulness into your daily life, you can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance your overall well-being.

Have you found your zen? What technique did you use to achieve it? Leave us a comment on our socials

by
Keep Reading
Lifestyle

Self-Care Rituals for the Busy Bee: Reclaiming Your Me-TIME

By 3 Mins Read

Are you constantly juggling work, family, and social commitments? Do you often find yourself feeling overwhelmed and stressed? If so, you’re not alone. Many of us lead busy lives, but it’s important to prioritize self-care to maintain our mental and physical health.

Why Self-Care Matters

Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s essential. When we take time for ourselves, we’re better equipped to handle life’s challenges. It helps reduce stress, boost our mood, and increase productivity. So, how can you incorporate self-care into your busy schedule?

Creating a Self-Care Routine

Identify Your Stress Triggers:

Pinpoint the culprits: What situations or activities tend to stress you out the most?Tailor your routine: Once you identify your triggers, you can create a self-care routine that specifically addresses them.

Set Realistic Goals:

Small steps, big impact: Start with small, achievable goals. For example, aim to meditate for 5 minutes each morning.Build gradually: As you become more comfortable with your routine, you can gradually increase the time you dedicate to self-care.

Schedule Me-Time:

Prioritize yourself: Treat self-care as an important appointment. Schedule it in your calendar and stick to it.Be flexible: Life happens. If something unexpected comes up, don’t beat yourself up. Simply reschedule your me-time.

Self-Care Ritual Ideas

Quiet your mind: Even a few minutes of meditation can help reduce stress and anxiety.

Mindful breathing: Focus on your breath and let go of negative thoughts

physical Activity: Get moving. Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and reduce stress.Find your favorite. Whether it’s yoga, dancing, or hiking, choose an activity you enjoy.

Fuel your body: Eating nutritious foods can improve your overall health and well-being.Prepare healthy meals at home to control your food intake and reduce stress.

Quality Sleep:Prioritize rest. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.Create a calming bedtime routine: Establish a relaxing routine before bed, such as reading a book or taking a warm bath.

Explore your passions: Engage in activities you love, such as painting, writing, or playing a musical instrument.

Unleash your creativity: Creative outlets can help you relax and de-stress.

Connect with loved ones: Spend time with friends and family to strengthen your relationships.

Join a community: Participate in group activities or volunteer to meet new people and give back.

Remember, self-care is a journey, not a destination. It’s about finding what works best for you and making it a part of your daily routine.

By prioritizing self-care, you’ll be better equipped to handle life’s challenges and live a happier, healthier life.

What are your favorite self-care rituals? Share your tips and tricks on our socials!

by
Keep Reading
Fashion

How to Style Emo Aesthetics: A Guide to Nailing the Look

By 2 Mins Read

Emo fashion is more than just dark colours and band t-shirts—it’s an expression of individuality, emotion, and alternative culture. If you’re inspired by the emo aesthetic described in our previous post, this guide will help you pull off the look with confidence and creativity.

Embrace Black and Red as Core Colours:

The foundation of emo style revolves around black, with accents of red symbolising depth and emotion. Start with black skinny jeans, skeleton print pants, or a distressed black t-shirt. Add pops of red through accessories like a scarf, beanie, or red streaks in your hair.

Invest in Band T-Shirts:

Band t-shirts are a staple in emo fashion, especially if you’ve picked them up at concerts. Choose tees from emo bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, or Panic! at the Disco. Pair them with skinny jeans or layer them under a flannel for added dimension.

Rock Fishnets

Fishnets can be worn under ripped jeans or skirts, giving a punk-inspired vibe to your look. You can also try fishnet gloves for that authentic emo touch.

Accessorise with Combat Boots and Beanies:

Combat boots are a must-have. Pair them with distressed jeans or a skirt for an edgier look. A black beanie adds a casual, yet cool, feel to the outfit, while staying true to the emo aesthetic.

Experiment with Fingerless Gloves and ‘Weird’ Jewellery

Spiderweb or fingerless gloves add an alternative edge to your look. Pair them with accessories like choker necklaces or unusual pendants to bring out the emotional and creative aspects of the style.

Don’t Forget Your Scary Purse

Add a spooky element to your outfit with a “scary” purse. Opt for one with designs like skulls, spiders, or other Halloween-esque elements to complete your emo look.

Let Music Influence Your Style

Emo is deeply rooted in music. Make vinyl records and headphones part of your style. Carrying a band-inspired tote or incorporating elements that reflect your musical preferences will give your look a personal touch.

Styling emo aesthetics is all about mixing emotion, creativity, and edge. By focusing on the details—from band t-shirts and combat boots to bold accessories—you can perfect the look while staying true to its roots.

Let us know what other Emo styles you may have found that inspire you. Share with us across social media.

by
Keep Reading
Blog Posts

HOW TO MAINTAIN STEEZE THIS RAINY SEASON

By 2 Mins Read

The word “steez” (style + ease) is all the rage right now, referring to an effortless, cool way to present yourself. There are plenty of ways to elevate or diminish your steeze, but why would you ever want to lower it, eh fine man/woman? Everyone’s looking for ways to keep their steeze high, no matter the season.Your steeze should NEVER go down a notch! Maintaining maximum steeze is crucial all year round, and right now, it’s the rainy season. Below are essential steps to follow to keep that 100% steeze intact.

MUST-HAVES IN YOUR BAG TO MAINTAIN 100% STEEZE DURING THE RAINY SEASON

Let’s go!

  • Wet Wipes: For a quick freshen-up after getting splashed.
  • Towel: A small towel to dry yourself off when the rain tries to mess with your steeze.
  • Lip Gloss: Keep your lips moisturised and looking fresh.
  • Hair Band: Essential to pull back your hair and avoid the frizz.
  • Moisturiser: The skin tends to get flaky during this season. A good moisturiser keeps it smooth and glowing.
  • Hand Moisturiser: Don’t let the rain dry out your hands!
  • Atomiser: Smelling nice is key, especially when it’s damp outside. Keep a travel-size perfume atomiser handy to stay fresh.
  • Waterproof Bag: Of course, you need a waterproof bag. Don’t let your items get soaked!
  • Umbrella: This one’s a no-brainer. You can’t walk in the rain without it.

When it’s raining, why run? With all these essentials in your bag, there’s no reason for your steeze to drop! Walk confidently through the rain with your 100% steeze untarnished.

by
Keep Reading
Beauty

SKIN CARE ROUTINE FOR NIGERIAN WEATHER.

By 3 Mins Read

Analyzing the Nigerian weather, there’s a lot of sunshine, so sun protection is a must everyday and all year round. No excuses. SPF 30 or higher is recommended, always apply generously to the body parts exposed to the sun.

Skin care issues such as hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone is common in Nigeria, mostly because of the hot humid climate. Adopting and sticking to a skin care routine is most appreciable for healthy skin. Skin care products like hydrating toner, moisturizers, face wash, serum should be highly invested in to avoid unwanted and disfiguring face cards.

You may ask what skin care routine I should adopt? I’ll be talking about the easiest and effective skin care routine and what to do to maintain that glow!

SKIN CARE ROUTINE

  • Step 1: Cleanse
  • Step 2: Exfoliate. Use gentle exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin. This should be done 2-3 times a week
  • Step 3: Use a face mask specific to your skin type
  • Step 4: A light toner should be applied
  • Step 5: For hyperpigmentation or uneven skin tone use vitamin C serum or niacinamide
  • Step 6: Eye contour, this reduces eye bags and dark circles, helps tighten the skin around the eyes.
  • Step 7: Moisturizing cream should be applied, this keeps the face hydrated and moisturized.
  • Step 8: Don’t skip the SPF! This is most essential.
  • Step 9: Eat healthy! Eat foods rich in vitamins C & E and avoid excess sugar as this can help increase skin glow and prevent skin issues.
  • Step 10: The sleeping beauty factor! Don’t play with your beauty sleep. 8 hours of sleep is highly recommended for healthy skin!.
  • Step 11: HYDRATE! Always be hydrated. Water is an essential element of an effective skin care routine. From removing impurities from the body to maintaining shiny and glowing skin!.

In addition, embracing natural ingredients Nigeria is blessed with, such as aloe vera, turmeric, cinnamon, essential oils and Shea butter (although Shea butter is not exactly suitable for sensitive skin, it could cause burns when exposed to the sun, ensure to carefully use it).
This enhances your routine, they can be used alone or mixed with other skin care products.

BODY CARE!

  • Use gentle gentle cleanser to remove dirts and impurities
  • Apply a moisturizer after bathing
  • Don’t skip the SPF! Reapply every 2 hours when exposed to sun
  • Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
  • Don’t forget to eat balanced diet

HERE ARE SOME DO’S AND DON’TS TO MAINTAINING A GOOD SKIN CARE ROUTINE!

Do:

  • Cleanse at least for 1 minute
  • Wash your pillow
  • Wash face with cold water at night and warm water in the morning.

DON’T:

  • Touch your face constantly.
  • Put toothpaste on those spots.
  • Pop those pimples.

With consistency comes good results. With this skin care routine you’re well on your way to permanently removing skin problems and getting healthy and glowing skin!

What routine works for you? I’d love to hear it.

by
Keep Reading