Simple Starts: Small Shifts for a More Contented New Year
Happy New Year. I hope your festive season was restful and that you're gently easing back into your natural rhythm.
January can feel overwhelming with talk of detoxes, resolutions and big changes. But the truth is: your body already knows how to detox. Sometimes, all it needs is a little support: simple, gentle practices that nourish you from the inside out.
Here are my five favourite ways to keep things simple:
Be Hydrated – Begin your day with warm water and a slice of lemon to gently awaken your system.
Be Active – Get outside, breathe deeply, and let nature do its magic.
Be Rested – Prioritise sleep. It's the time when your body heals, restores, and rejuvenates.
Be Adventurous – Say yes to something new, no matter how small.
Be Happy – Do more of what lifts your spirits.
January is also a wonderful time to reflect, observe your habits and notice how they make you feel. On the 2nd of January, I was invited to do a tea tasting after the Saturday morning yoga class at my local Lululemon in Edinburgh. It felt like the perfect way to start the year - with our uplifting JustBe Happy tea.
The yoga class, led by Demelza Feltham, centred around Santosha, the second of the eight limbs of yoga. It means contentment: a quiet inner satisfaction with what is, here and now. The first two limbs, Yamas and Niyamas, encourage us to live with compassion, honesty, and generosity toward ourselves and others.
At the end of the class, we each received an intention card. Mine read: "The miracle of nature – to give thanks for reconnecting through nature and fresh air." A beautiful reminder to keep it simple.
And if you're a fan of gardening, you might spot a familiar face on The Great British Gardening Revival, airing on BBC2 at 7pm, Wednesday 7th January. I had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Beardshaw about my love of cherry blossom: a true symbol of new beginnings and beauty in simplicity.
Here’s to a year of contentment, connection and simple joys.