Exercise

Exercise is one of the best natural remedies for improved health. This relates to both physical and mental wellbeing. If you’re active, you have a lower risk of developing potentially deadly diseases such as heart disease and some types of cancer, but you’ll also be less prone to stress, anxiety, and depression. If you’re not naturally sporty, or you’ve never set foot in a gym before, don’t panic. Moving more doesn’t have to mean that you devote every waking minute to lifting weights or pounding the pavements. Ideally, you should aim for around 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. This can be anything from taking the dog for a walk or going for a bike ride to running, dancing, climbing, trampolining or doing yoga. Find exercises that you enjoy, and set yourself goals and targets. Dance in your living room, do yoga, do whatever feels like fun to you.

Work

How often do you feel stressed about work? Do you enjoy what you do? Do you get a lot out of your job? If you don’t love your job, it doesn’t give you a sense of satisfaction, or you have ambitions that you’re not currently working towards, it may be time for a change of tack. There’s no harm in looking around for new opportunities or taking steps towards your dream job or a job that is linked to your hobbies or passions. If you love training, for example, what’s to stop you using your skills and your enthusiasm to forge a career? You could start a fitness Instagram blog today or even think about doing a course to become a qualified trainer. If you have designs on a career in photography or writing, for example, take advantage of the Internet to showcase your talents, network, and get your name out there. We spend so much time at work, and finding a job that gives you satisfaction could make a massive difference to your confidence and wellbeing.

Sleep

Research suggests that the majority of people don’t get enough sleep. If you’re burning the candle at both ends, or you have chronic sleeping problems, now is the time to start looking after yourself. Get into a sleep routine, take time to relax before you go to bed and keep your phone out of the bedroom. If you still have troubles, maybe see your doctor and try breathing exercises, guided meditations etc.

If sleep problems persist despite these steps, it can help to explore professional assessment and treatment options so you’re not trying to manage alone. Clinics in many communities now evaluate whether insomnia is linked to anxiety, depression, or other medical causes and can recommend evidence-based approaches such as CBT for insomnia, medication management, or newer non‑invasive treatments.

For people in the Loveland area seeking clear, local information about assessment and common treatment paths, Serenity Healthcare Loveland provides an overview of options and what to expect from an appointment. Having that context can make the idea of getting help feel more approachable and practical.

Talking

Health isn’t just about how fast your heart pumps or how far you can walk without feeling like your lungs are going to burst. Mental health is also essential. Talking is a really easy way to break down barriers, express and process emotions, and get rid of any niggling thoughts that are worrying you or getting you down.

Many people find that simple conversations with friends are a good start, but sometimes more structured support is needed. Professional therapy provides a safe space to look at patterns in your life that might be holding you back. Different therapists use various methods to help their clients reach their goals. You can learn more about the clinical approach at UES to see how specific techniques are used in a real-world setting. This type of guidance helps you build better coping skills for long-term mental health. Having a clear plan makes the process feel less overwhelming for those new to therapy.

Don’t be afraid or ashamed to engage in conversation with friends, relatives, or strangers that are trained to listen, for example, doctors, therapists and people who work for mental health charities.

Good health is something that should never be taken for granted. If you feel like you could do better when it comes to taking care of your body and mind, hopefully, you’ll find these tips helpful.

This is a contributed post. You can also read Nik’s personal guide to Understanding Your Root Chakra here.

The post Mastering The Art Of Self-Care: How To Boost Your Health And Self-Esteem appeared first on KIMU.

Bring back classic hairstyles

Whilst not all hairstyles from the past deserve to be revived, some are timeless and may be able to give you that gentlemanly look that you desire.

The combed side parting has been brought back by actors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Gosling. This is a fairly low maintenance hairstyle that you can achieve simply with a comb and some matt clay. Just make sure that you’re conditioning to avoid unwanted frizz.

The quiff and the pompadour are two other hairstyle that have seen a revival. These are more suited to round faces as they can make long faces look elongated. For a quality quiff, you need strong wax to hold your hair in place – a bit of hairspray may also help. Make sure to also deter frizz by keep your hair well-conditioned.

Other classic hairstyles include the short back and sides look and the French crop. You should visit a good quality barber to ensure that these haircuts are done right. Scissor cutting can often help to achieve many of these looks with more precision, although it does take more time and some barbers may charge more for it. If you are interested in trying out expert vintage-inspired cuts, visiting Barbers London (or elsewhere) can help you achieve timeless styles and a refined, polished look.

Shave with a straight razor… if you dare

Straight razors are the traditional means of shaving, but they’ve been coming back into fashion. Not only does it make you feel like a badass whilst shaving, most people report that it also offers a closer shave due to being more easily manoeuvrable.

You’re best investing in a good quality cut throat razor – a cheap one is unlikely to offer as clean a cut and is more likely to leave you with nicks and scars. The ‘hone’ is the name for the blade and should look evenly serrated under a microscope. Straight razors need to be replaced once this serration becomes uneven – at this point the blade is getting dull and will be less effective.

Shaving with a straight razor is an art. To avoid cutting yourself, apply lots of shaving foam and cut at a 30 degree angle applying only moderate pressure. It’s best to be slow to also avoid cutting yourself. Multiple passes may be needed to get your face as smooth as a baby’s bottom – you should apply shaving cream each time before cutting over the same patch of skin.

Wax your moustache

To be a gentleman a hundred years ago, a moustache was a necessity. Nowadays, they’ve fallen out of favour somewhat – the sixties and seventies turned them into somewhat of a sleazy feature. That said, there are still ways to make a moustache look sophisticated, some of which have started to make a big comeback. One such technique is the waxed moustache.

When waxing a moustache, you should use specialist moustache wax and not just regular hair wax. Moustache wax is more robust, preventing it from getting messed up by actions like eating and talking. Typical ingredients in moustache wax include American beeswax, shea butter, babassu and argan oils.

There’s a certain technique to applying moustache wax in order to get the best effect. Many waxes and can be very hard – it may benefit you to heat the tin first so that the wax has a smoother consistency and doesn’t feel like you’re putting candlewax in your moustache. Start from the centre of your moustache and work out towards the tips. For a classic handlebar, you may want to try twisting your tips – you can make it as subtle or Dali-esque as you want.

Embrace beard oil

Beards have also made a big comeback, particularly the lumberjack beard. These can take a fair amount of maintenance – it’s not just a case of letting it grow out. A well-groomed beard takes a lot of regular trimming and combing. A traditional beard maintenance trick meanwhile is to use beard oil.

Beard oil can make your facial hair fuller, prevent beard-ruff and reduce itchiness. There are lots of products on the market from classic Amish beard oil to more modern products, each with their own strengths. It’s worth finding one that suits you (beard oils also tend to come with their own scents, so you’ll want to choose one that you like the smell of).

As with moustache wax, there’s an art to applying beard oil. Beard oil is best applied after a hot shower when your hair is cleanest and softest, although you should thoroughly dry your beard first. You generally only need two or three drops in your palm – you can then start applying it to all areas of your beard. After this, you should comb your beard in order to get right texture.

Try vintage aftershaves

Aftershaves reached their peak in the 70s when there were all kinds of wild scents. Some of these potent scents are best forgotten, however others have grown in appeal. Modern aftershaves tend to be subtle in comparison and some these fruitier aftershaves can be great for creating more of an impact.

Many traditional brands have since been discontinued, although you can buy many second-hand bottles online (some of these colognes can be very expensive due to now being in limited supply). There are modern brands out there that have been simulating these traditional scents that could be a cheaper option than buying the real thing.

If possible, you should try to sample aftershaves before buying them. This could avoid you from buying something expensive that you really don’t like the smell of.

The post Classic Men’s Grooming Methods That Have Come Back In Style appeared first on KIMU.

Fund Your Fashion
We all love new clothes, and a change of season usually means giving the wardrobe a much needed revamp with a shopping spree. But buying all new outfits a few times a year can be extremely expensive, and so finding ways to finance your fashion is crucial if you want to stay in budget One option would be to sell things you no longer wear, you can then use the funds to buy new clothes and get to have a declutter in the process. You could use an app like Depop and sell items individually, or create bundles and sell them as job lots on eBay. Thrift stores can be home to some real gems- things like designer items, clothes that have hardly been worn and rare pieces are often found in second hand places. You probably won’t be able to get your whole winter wardrobe this way, but it’s worth having a browse inside on a regular basis and seeing what’s there. Checking out sales is another way to save yourself some money too, this will of course allow you to snag items for much less than the RRP. A good tip is to follow your favourite stores on social media, that way you will be be first to hear about their sales.

Buy Staple Pieces
Your staple pieces will make up the main bulk of your outfits. If you choose well here, you’ll have lots of different variations but without having to spend a lot of money on tonnes of different items. For men it would be things like lightweight trousers, shorts, t-shirts and light knit tops or long sleeve t-shirts for slightly chillier days. For women it would of course be trousers, shorts and tops with the addition of skirts and dresses if you wear them. Either way, the trick here is to go with relatively plain items, and if you can, go with a complementing colour palette. That way you can easily mix and match with everything in your wardrobe giving you a different look every time. You can dress things up or down depending on the shoes, jacket and accessories you put with them. Don’t forget dressier pieces too, if you’re invited to a wedding or other formal event you will need the right clothing to wear. You can get things like multibuy shirt offers from TM Lewin and other similar stores, and for women there are lots of inexpensive formal gowns on sites like eBay. There have been disaster cases with some dress shops like this, although hundreds of thousands are made every year with the bulk of customers being happy and satisfied. Read the reviews and ask the seller to send photos of actual items, don’t just rely on the stock pictures.

Add Accessories
Everyone needs a good pair of sunglasses, they’re practical and well as stylish. They protect your eyes and the delicate surrounding skin from the sun’s UV rays and are all in all a summer staple. The tricky thing about buying sunglasses is it’s important to get them right, they need to be the right size and shape for your face and structure. What this means is you need to go into a store and try a load on, you can’t really just chance it and buy a pair online that you like the look of .If you already wear regular glasses it will be a little easier as you will have a good idea about what kind of style suit your face. Otherwise you would need to try on lots of pairs on next time you’re out shopping. Another stylish yet practical accessory for the summer is a hat- great for keeping the sun out of your eyes and protecting your hair and scalp from burning. If you’re quite casual, a simple baseball cap will do the trick. Otherwise you could experiment with fedoras, tilleys and straw hats amongst others, these styles will look a bit smarter. A hat can help to bring another dimension to your outfit, and help you to show off your style. A bag is another useful accessory for summer. Since most of us spend much longer outdoors, we need something to keep our essentials in. Money, keys, water, sunscreen, that kind of thing. Whether it’s a day out at the beach with the family, a music festival with friends or a holiday or on a mini break, a good bag will get you through. A rucksack is an nice, casual option, it’s easy to wear, comfortable with plenty of room. Crossbody messenger style bags are another option for both genders, they’re useful for keeping your possessions close to you. That way there’s much less risk of getting pickpocketed or your bag snatched as it’s attached to your person. Check out some different styles and see what would work best for you.

Invest In A Statement Watch

Nothing defines your spring and summer outfit more than a statement watch. If you’re going for a simple spring or summer vibe, you can finish it off with a larger, bolder watch to complete the look without going overboard. If you’ve already got a patterned summer shirt on, you can wear a simple piece to add a touch of class to your wrist. A statement watch is a show of your own personal style, a way of showing to the world who you are. Check out this page for Rolex Submariner for sale, especially if you’re looking for a bold typeface and a range of colour options. You can style your watch by choosing a metallic or natural strap, a small or large face, bold numbers or a sleeker, more minimal option- the choices are endless. Match it to your look or create a clashing contrast to show off your statement piece. If you want the style but can’t match the price, go for pre-owned options to look great without breaking the bank.

Fantastic Footwear
Finally, you need the right footwear to finish off all of your outfit. Lightweight canvas pumps, sandals and flip flops are easy choices for both genders. If you choose a neutral colour they’ll go with everything in your wardrobe so you’re not having to buy tonnes of shoes just for this spring and summer. Lightweight shoes like this generally don’t last very long, so it’s better to keep it cheap, go with fun trendy styles that you enjoy and throw them away at the end of the summer when they’re worn out. Don’t forget a pair of smart shoes to go with your dressy outfit, that way you’re covered across all bases for all occasions.

Have you started shopping for spring and summer yet? What sort of things are you looking forward to wearing in the coming warmer months?

Photo c/o Dior

The post Bringing in Spring: Updating Your Wardrobe For The Season Ahead appeared first on KIMU.

Keep a Journal

Writing in your journal can be a very therapeutic activity. It only takes a couple of minutes and when you write all of your thoughts and worries down, you can easily let go of any negative energy and you can also feel much more relaxed at the end of the day. If this doesn’t suit you then try and talk to a loved one, or take the time to think and unwind before you go to bed. This will help you to gather and collect yourself for the day ahead and it is a great way for you to really take control of your life.

Schedule some Time In For Yourself

It’s very important that you fit time in for yourself. When you are filling out your calendar, you probably won’t think to set an hour aside just for you. This could be to go swimming, read a book or even open up arktan.com/ on your laptop and have some intimate time for yourself. You can even schedule some time to go and hang out with your friends as well and this is a brilliant way for you to really get some perspective on your life and how things are going.

Get Regular Check-ups

If you don’t go for regular check-ups then there could be something wrong with your body, but you’ll never know about it. By going to the doctors every now and again, they can work to assess your physical and mental health while also giving you the support you need regarding any questions, symptoms or even history. Sites such as https://london-andrology.co.uk/ are great if you want to chat with a professional about your health.

Make Sure You’re Sleeping Enough

When you are a busy working professional, you’ll find that life can get very hectic. You probably won’t be giving your body the rest that it needs to function properly and you may even find that you are running on empty as well. Sleep is great for the body, but it is also great for the mind as well. If you want to ensure that your body is well-rested then make sure that you are setting aside a couple of hours at the end of every night. This will give you enough time to unwind at the end of the day and it is also a great way for you to start a new and healthier routine.

Photo Credit: Underwater Swimmer, Esztergom, Hungary, 1917© André Kertész, Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication / Médiathèque de l’architecture et du patrimoine, Dist Rmn © Donation André Kertész

The post Looking and Feeling Great: How To Start Taking Better Care of Yourself appeared first on KIMU.

It really doesn’t have to be like that anymore. Welcome to the era of the Suit 2.0. It is possible to have fun with fashion in the office and maintain a professional style. So, if you’re looking to get a bit more creative with your workwear, check out these simple ideas to boost your professional style:

Layer Up

Wearing more layers is a great way to incorporate colours and patterns into your outfit without having to go all out. For example wearing a classic pinstripe suit, but having a pair of colour blocked socks peeking out, seeing a little bit of a geometric printed t-shirt under a shirt with the top button undone, or having the hint of a green belt just visible under your jacket are all good ways of having a bit more fun with your office fashion.

Go for a Unique Fabric

You remember that iconic 90s TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, right? You remember that when Will was sent to the private school, he had to wear a less than inspiring uniform. What did he do? He noticed that the lining of his blazer was made from a much more interesting fabric – it was red and floral – so he turned it inside out, thus not breaking any rules, and improving his style immensely! As an adult, you don’t have to do that; you simply have to look for corporate wear online that is made from more interesting fabrics. As long as it’s smart and it adheres to the main rules of your workplace. Why shouldn’t you be able to wear an outfit that’s red, tartan, floral or whatever else it is that you love?

Mix it Up

Is there any rule that says your bottom half has to match the top? No, unless you have a REALLY strict office dress code, there probably is not. So, an easy way to have fun with workplace fashion is by mixing and matching tops and bottoms, Wear that red blazer with those pinstripe trousers or those checked pants with that polka dot shirt, and as long as you look presentable, you’ll probably get away with it.

Add a Statement Piece

If you really do have to wear a pretty boring combination of clothing from 9-5, check the rules to see if you’re allowed to wear jewellery and other accessories, if you are, then adding a chunky statement watch, a very noticeable necklace or even an unusually patterned tie will help you to show a bit more of your creativity in the way you dress.

If you wear glasses, well you have an even better opportunity to have some fun because there are few employers who will tell you to take off the glasses you need and now that you can get glasses in every colour and style conceivable, it isn’t hard to bring the style in that department.

Photo from Officine Generale Autumn/Winter 2018

The post Re-Imagining The Suit appeared first on KIMU.