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January is always the move where you can move for ads flogging fitness teas or gym discounts. 

However, some of us may not be interested in making resolutions that only involve diet and exercise.

Here are five other avenues of health to consider when deciding what rules you want to set for 2018: 

Embark on a proper skin care regimen

Whether it's spots, dry patches or the first few wrinkles coming in, your skin changes on the regular. 

Make 2018 the year that you finally invest in skincare and crate a legit, multi step night time routine, instead of scrubbing your face with a makeup wipe and slapping on some Sudacreme. 

Some routines can include up to ten steps, but we're good with just six: First cleanse, second cleanse with hot cloth, gentle exfoliation, toner, serum, moisturiser and, if necessary, spot or acne treatment like Sudacreme or a drying potion. 

Focus on your sleep schedule

Not getting enough good quality, regular sleep can be a nightmare for our bodies. 

As well as wandering around in a haze the day after a late night, it's bad for both your physical and mental health to wander through life on less than six hours per night. 

Seven to nine hours is idea, so turn your phone to night mode, rub on some of Lush's Sleepy body lotion and snuggle that hot water bottle for the required amount of hours. 

Take a social media sabbatical

If you find you're spending way too long on Snapchat, getting FOMO from Instagram and creeping on randoms on Facebook, it might be time to take a break from your smart phone. 

Going offline for one day a week, or just a few hours per day can help self esteem and stress issues hugely, as you are no longer bombarded with the highlight reel of everyone you follows lives. 

Make a deal with yourself that you will only go on social media on your commutes to and from work, or for half an hour after dinner, and prepare to be amazed with how much more grounded you are to the actual world. 

Brush up on book reading

Reading books keeps your brain sharp, and works of fiction can boost your own feelings of creativity. 

Make a list of ten books you'd love to read but have never gotten around to, and get through them over the next 12 months. 

Keep one in your bag to read on the commute or on the sitting room table. That way, when it comes to choosing between watching TV or reading, both are within easy reach. 

Declutter your mind

Make a list of the important things you have been putting off that have been stressing you out, and set a goal to get through one or two of them a week. 

Whether it's that dentist appointment you've reschedule four times, a trip home to see your Granny or arranging a course of counselling sessions for yourself, putting pen to paper and physically seeing the things you want or need to do can motivate you do check them off the list. 

Getting an actual physical planner can also help with organisation issues, so make sure you always have it plus a pen handy in your bag to keep your appointments in order and check things off that list.

 

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Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the very first day of 2018. 

While you may be full of good intentions for the upcoming 12 months, it's more likely that right now you are full of gin, left over Supermacs and regret. 

Here's how mornings began across the country today:

8. 'Whoever decided that daylight was a good idea needs to reconsider.'

You have finally risen to consciousness from a drunken slumber and are taking record of your surroundings. 

You slowly start to feel the painful blisters on your ankles from walking home due to there being approximately zero taxis in all of Ireland, and the first twinges of dehydration stir. 

And then the headache begins to pound. 

Image result for hangover water

7. Did I actually…?'

Whether you had an epic night or a (more likely) disappointing New Year's Eve, there's sure to be something that went down that you still cant belive. 

Whether it was an unexpected midnight kiss or the walking home, own it.

Image result for hangover water

6. 'WATER.'

Self-explanatory, really. 

Time for a rehydration session. And fingers crossed it stays down and the gin hasn't scoured the stomach off you. 

Image result for kardashian water

5. 'I spent HOW MUCH?'

Your purse is filled with crumpled evidence of rounds you bought for people you might not see again until this time next year. 

Your online banking app is calling you, but the brief flash back of waving your card around in the direction of a barman is enough to keep you away from that app for a good while yet.

At least until you have your strength back. 

Image result for money wolf of wall street

4. 'Carbs would be good right now.'

While you may be outraged at the cost of the booze you bought last night, there's always room on the old credit card for a quick takeaway. 

Browsing Just Eat is an absolute essential on a hangover day. 

The diet and exercise routine can wait until tomorrow (or forever tbh).

Image result for hangover food

3. 'The mother will never forgive me for desecrating the holy day of Sunday with my antics.'

You've surpassed the fear and checked you and your pal's Insta and Snapchat stories, and a flurry of 'be sound and delete that' DMs have been dispatched. 

Now you can only lie there and thank your lucky stars that your parental units don't have the hang of Snapchat.  

No one needs to see their 20-something-year-old three sheets to the wind singing Little Mix songs in a taxi.

Image result for i need help

2. 'Is she for real?'

While you might be stuck somewhere between blanket wrapped bundle of regret and tequila-induced downward shame spiraler, the ladies of Instagram are on a mission. 

Already you've seen all the fitness influencer's posts about 'starting the year right' (who would be doing those yoga poses on a cliff top on a morning like this?)

Any bets they pre-shot those photos and they're' actually also hiding under a blanket somewhere cursing the existence of white spirits?

Image result for annoying yoga

1. 'I'm never drinking again. And I'm going vegan, joining the gym, participating in activism and deleting my ex's number'

It's easy to get bogged down with thoughts of fulfilling your resolutions as soon as the year kicks off, but give yourself a break. 

You have 12 months to achieve the goals you get for yourself, and this blustery Monday is just a blip on the radar. 

Wrap up in that duvet, throw on a season of Friends and laze your way through the glorious Bank Holiday. 

Image result for dua lipa new rules

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New year, new you and all that malarky but January does provide a clean slate and a chance for you to set yourself some goals. 

One thing we all should pay a little more attention to is our mental health.

We've set ourselves six New Year's resolutions to encourage better mental health and we think you should join us.

Awareness

Stress, mood swings and a lack of energy are all linked with our mental health.

Being aware that something is wrong is the first step in solving the problem.

If you had a cold for over a week, you’d go to the doctor.

If you’re feeling uneasy or upset for long periods of time, ask for help.

Sleep

Our bodies cannot perform properly if we do not get enough sleep – that also applies to our minds.

A good night’s sleep helps restore our bodies and brains and is incredibly important when it comes to maintaining a healthy mind.

Avoid tea and coffee in the evenings and try to wind down at least 30 minutes before the big snooze.

Food

A healthy diet is extremely important when it comes to both your physical and mental health.

Changing a few things in your diet can increase your energy, boost your mood and even help you get a better night’s sleep.

Try and eat as much fresh food as you can and you'll notice a big difference.

Positivity

While it’s natural to feel guilt, hanging on to it can have negative impacts on our mental health.

Beating yourself up constantly for something that is in the past only makes the road to recovery that much longer.

Try and take a step back from the problem and look at is for what it is.

Appreciate that you’ve learned something from the experience and try to stay positive.

Friends

Loneliness is one of the most intense of human emotions. Feeling disconnected from others can leave you dwelling on negative thoughts.

Make sure to make time for your friends this year. Making plans in advance or even setting up a schedule is a great way of making sure you don't neglect the important relationships in your life.

Not only is this good for your social life but it is sure to have you coming away feeling a lot happier and more positive.

Meditation

It might sound a little new age, but meditation is really all it’s cracked up to be.

Meditation is exercise for the brain and it encourages relaxation, calming and focus – all of which are great for our mental health.

While you may be a little intimidated to give it a try, there are tonnes of apps available to talk you through your first time and introduce you to the world of zen.

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New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection and resolution – with many setting themselves impossible or unachievable goals.

The usual resolutions on everyone’s lists being to join the gym, eat better, save more…blah-blah, blah.

Stuff that! Here’s seven resolutions everyone should make this year:  

1. Travel more

Sometimes a holiday is just AMAZING and with air fares cheaper than ever, you have no excuse not to jet off. But if you can’t get away, hop in the car, on a bus or a train and go see somewhere new. Remember ‘A change is as good as a rest’.

2. Complain less

We all have the tendency to act like Moaning-Myrtle. And while venting can offer momentary relief from the situation, when you look around you there are people worse off than you being stuck in traffic or not having the latest gadget.

You actually have it pretty good, so be happy with what you have and if you’re truly not, then maybe it’s time to change that well-paying soul-sucking desk job for something you really enjoy? Money can’t buy happiness.

3. Be Selfish

We all need to treat others with kindness. But we forget sometimes to be kind to ourselves. Mark Sutton says, “It's not selfish to do what is best for you”.

Learning to say no and spending more time doing the things you love instead of obligation will make you feel…free.

4. Do more of what you love

If you love reading but don’t have the time, make time. If you enjoy running or walking, get outdoors and go for a stroll – fit it in on your lunch break if you don’t have the time before or after work.

If you enjoy eating but are trying to get in shape, cut yourself some slack and just look for healthier options. But if you REALLY want to eat the cake, eat the cake.

5. Try something new

If you have put that Hot Yoga class off for a while, now’s the time to go for it. Stop letting those unread books pile up, take five make a cuppa and turn the page.

Sick of your friend talking about all those marathons they’ve completed? Get up off that sofa and get jogging – there are so many apps, such as Runkeeper, available to guide you in your endeavours – seize the day.

6. Spend more time with the people who build you up

If you find yourself surrounded by negative people, cut them loose. Spending time constantly surrounded by negativity can bring you down and have harmful effects on how you view yourself. Find people who have similar interests and beliefs, or offer inspiration.

Surrounding yourself with positive people will help you feel good about yourself, increase your confidence and self-worth.

7. Put that phone/ iPad away and get out doors

This is truly the technological age and it has its benefits. But with all of our gadgets and devices, we sometimes forget that there is also a world outside.

There are so many beautiful sights to see like the deer roaming freely in the Phoenix Park, Dublin; Glendalough Lake, Wicklow; the Cliffs of Moher, Clare; even going for a stroll in your local park for 30 minutes can clear the cobwebs.

Make this your most fabulous year yet!

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Variety – as well as compromise – is the spice of life. So while we might not be able to resist EVERY single treat going – some small tweaks and occasional changes can make a big difference to how we look and feel.

That and reaching for a large glass of Pinot Grigio most nights of the week isn't always so appealing when you know you'll be up at the crack of dawn with loud and lively small ones.

With that in mind, we've compiled a list of five fabulously delicious snacks to tuck into when you feel a lift-me-up that doesn't involve a pounding headache or inhaling two packets of Hobnobs…  

1) Dark chocolate and green tea

According to one US study, dark chocolate and green tea is the ideal combo to tackle that mid-afternoon energy drop. If you snack on these, you should feel more alert and attentive thanks to the dark chocolate (minimum 60 percent cacao). Meanwhile your blood pressure should also instantly drop thanks to the amino acid L-theanine, which is a relaxant found in green tea. 
 
2) Apple with peanut butter or banana and almond butter
Peanut, almond or cashew butters are great sources of healthy fats and protein, and fruits provide us with fibres, essential for our gut health and to regulate our appetite. Spread a thin layer of nut butter on your favourite fruit and you get a lovely sweet, filling and healthy snack. However, if you're keeping an eye on your calorie intake, don’t be too heavy-handed with the nut butter, as it’s very rich. 

3) Almond stuffed prunes

So much more than an elderly lady constipation treatment! To make them softer, soak your prunes in tea or water and stuff them with a lightly grilled almond. Prunes are a good source of potassium, iron, and of course fibres to help digestion and promote a healthy gut. To mix things up a little, swap almonds with walnuts and the prunes with dates.
 
4) Energy balls
Energy/protein balls were a BIG food trend in 2016, and for good reason. Making them yourself in bulk will make them much more affordable than when you buy them in the shop. Depending on what ingredients you use, they can be a great source of vitamins and minerals. Just Google “energy balls” and you will find countless recipes. Try the likes of peanut butter, dates, oats and cacao power ball, or blend together dates, your favourite nuts, goji berries, coconut and cacao for example. Be careful, these treats are seriously addictive!

5) Greek yoghurt, blackberries and honey
A great source of protein, probiotics, potassium and calcium, Greek yoghurt is definitely your waistline friend. Top it with blackberries (full of vitamin C and antioxidants, and low in calories) and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, you will get a filling and delicious snack that your tummy will thank you for. 
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Tis the season for good resolutions. But much harder than commit to them is sticking to them, which is why we have a few suggestions of easy and struggle-free changes that can truly change your life. 

1) Reduce sugar intake:

We know, it’s hard, especially since so much of our daily intake comes from hidden sugar in processed food – look at the back of a tomato sauce and you’ll see what we mean. So start by gradually reducing the sugar in your cuppa, skip the jam on the toasts, have an apple instead of candies. Sugar is addictive but the good news is, the less you eat of it the less you crave it.

 

 

2) Make meals from scratch:
“Don't eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn't recognise as food”, says American food activist Michael Pollan. And we're pretty sure that your great-grandmother didn’t know about Mars bars and Doritos. Modern life can jeopardise our good resolutions, but trying to eat homemade food made from scratch as often as you can is essential. Don’t be too harsh on yourself though: little changes make a big difference over time. 

 

 

3) Walk as much as possible:

How easy is it to skip the gym and Netflix and chill instead? If going to the gym is too much of a commitment in your busy life, try and introduce as much walking in your day as possible. Go talk to a colleague instead of emailing, go get some air at lunch time, get off the Luas one stop before and walk the distance, go for a hike with the kids at the weekend. Again, every step counts.

 

 

4) Sleep more:
There are several reasons for getting at least seven hours of sleep every night, and controlling your weight is a pretty big one. Sleeping helps control hunger hormones, and we have all noticed that it is much harder to exercise and make healthy food choices when we are tired. So turn off your phone, stop scrolling through Instagram, and lights off before 11pm.

 

 

5) Laugh:
Some say that laughter is the best medicine. It can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and even strengthen your immune system. Try and seek out more opportunities for a good laugh, by spending more time with funny friends, watching comedies, listening to a funny podcast (we strongly recommend My Dad Wrote A Porno). It will bring you happiness and could help you live a longer and healthier life. 

 

 
PLUS: stop smoking
Unhealthy, expensive, smelly, addictive… do we really need to give any more reason to quit for 2017? 
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Christmas is over, the first day of a new year has arrived, and so it must be time to start buying Easter eggs.

No, in fact, it's not time. It's definitely not time. But according to some wily retailers, January 1 is the perfect point of the year to start thinking about a holiday that's still three months away.

Shoppers in the UK and Ireland have reported seeing Easter eggs in various supermarkets, and they've taken to Twitter to offer evidence of this MADNESS. 

Just to clarify, March 27 is a full 85 days from today.

One shopper was even subjected to this awful juxtaposition:

Speaking earlier this week to the Daily Mail about the decision to stock the themed chocolate so early, Tesco said, "In response to demand from customers who like to buy them early, we are offering a limited range of Easter chocolates in selected stores.

"Our full range does not go into our stores until later in January."

Creme Egg, anyone?

 

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Ah, the gym. It's like Marmite; if you love it you cannot get enough, if you hate it the smell is enough to make you puke. 

Notoriously, gyms in January are ten times busier than normal as people's New Year's resolutions kick into gear. 

Not all of these gym-goers will make it to February:

1. The pre-work professional
Always in before six in a suit and runners, these people mean business. They hop on the treadmill do a solid two hours and off they go to work for another 34. 

Catchphrase: "Can't talk, gotta run – so late for a meeting with my CEO byeeeee"

2. The relaxed yogi
Always barefoot and pleasantly calm, the yogis will make you feel zen even when 'leg guy' is grunting while squatting in the corner. 

Catchphrase: "Would you like some nettle and liquorice tea?"

3. Leg guy
Yes, he was always going to be next.  Drinking a protein smoothie while lifting ten of thousands of kg, the natural habitat of leg guy is in front of the mirror. 

Catchphrase: "Do you even lift, bra?"

4. The Bridget Jones
This is us to be honest. Not a regular gym-goer but always striving to get fitter. 

Catchphrase: "HOW has it only been fifteen minutes since I got here?"

5. The Insta-snapper
Gym-gear? Check. Two-hour intense workout done? Check. Make-up still miraculously perfectly? Check. Mirror? Check. Snap, snap, snap! Inadvertently makes The Bridget Jones never want to come back to the gym. 

6. The fit mom
She's had HOW many kids?! Hope I'm like that one day….

Catchphrase: "The gym is my 'me-time'"

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It’s not always easy to let go of those last remaining mince pies and actually get back to reality. Use these super simple food swaps to get yourself a little healthier without even realising!

1. For breakfast
Swap a fry for porridge

2. For dinner
Swap white pasta and rice for the brown varieties

3. For your sweet-tooth
Swap white refined sugar for maple syrup

4. For the cinema
Swap fizzy drinks for flavoured water

5. For your coffee/hot chocolate
Swap full-fat milk for a plant-based milk such as soy, almond or hazelnut

6. For quick snacks

  • Swap crisps for popcorn
  • Swap crackers for rice or oat cakes
  • Swap butter for nut butters or some mashed avocado
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The Christmas holidays are OFFICIALLY over and we are all back to the grindstone. It wasn't easy but it's all over now…until tomorrow! 

Here are 5 thoughts anyone who went back to work today will have suffered through:

1. "Huh, I forgot what my alarm sounded like…"
Please don't make me get up. Please, please, please!

2. "The last time I drank was three days ago, HOW can I still be hungover?!"
It's like all of the Christmas time hangovers are ganging up on you on this hellish day.

3. "Hey, where's the Bailey's for my morning coffee? Oh wait, I'm not at home" *breaks into tears*
No more liquid brunches for you. 

4. "No no, I started my diet earlier, thanks. Um…are those Heroes? Sorry I thought they were Quality Street. I'll just have one."
And two, and three and…actually I'll just leave the box on my desk. 

5. "Tonight, I'm going to bed at 8pm and will be refreshed and ready for the day ahead."
New Year and all that.

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New Year, new you. That’s what we hear year in and year out. But we reckon there is nothing wrong with the you from last year, so keep doing her!

Meanwhile, we are trying to wean ourselves off the last of those Roses, even the Orange and Strawberry crèmes that litter the end of the box are starting to look appealing…

To help us in our time of lacking will power and skin breakouts, we’ve devised some salads that will help nourish us and not taste like we’re force feeding ourselves grass.

For each of these salads, simply combine all of the 'dressing' ingredients together before drizzling it over the salad ingredients. 

1. Simple prawn salad

Salad:
1-2 handfuls of iceberg lettuce
6-7 cooked and cooled king prawns
¼ cucumber

Dressing:
1 tbsp. Greek yoghurt​
1 tsp. ketchup
​1/2 tsp low fat mayonnaise
1/2 tsp tabasco

2. Chicken zest salad

Salad:
1-2 handful of baby spinach
1 grilled chicken breast
Seeds of one pomegranate

Dressing:
Juice of one lime
1/2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar

3. Goat's cheese salad

Salad
1 handful of rocket
1 handful of baby spinach
2-3 round slices of goat's cheese
5 walnuts

Dressing
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. balsamic vingear
1/2 tsp. fresh or dried thyme
1/2 tsp. honey

4. Super salad

2 handfuls of baby spinach
1 handful of kale
1 carrot, grated
1/2 avocado
4-5 blueberries
5 strawberries
100g cooked quinoa
2 tsp. pumpkin seeds
2 tsp. sunflower seeds
1 tsp flax seeds

Dressing
Juice of one lemon
1 tsp. olive oil

5. Classic Caprese salad

1 handful of rocket
4 slices of mozarella
2 sliced tomatoes 
Fresh basil, torn

Dressing
Balsamic reduction
 

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We love going on holidays but they can be lethal for our New Year’s resolutions – and we all know how one cheat week can ruin all our good work. Forever.

Researchers at Cheapflights have compiled a very useful list of destinations that can make or break the most common resolutions.

Here’s how you can stay on the straight and narrow while still having an amazing week away from reality.

Resolution: “I will save money”

Make it – Budapest, Hungary
A weekend break for you and your partner (or BBF!) is still achievable, even if funds are tight. It’s possible to snag yourself  a two-night stay at a 3 star hotel available in Budapest for only €162. Now, where did we leave our passports…

Break it – New York City, USA
Although you may get a good deal on a ticket to the Big Apple, you’ll pay through the nose for everything else. The average cost of a meal for two in NYC is €65 and a two-night stay in a 3 star hotel comes in at €400.

Resolution: “Curb my coffee addiction”

Make it – Sri Lanka
Did you now that Sri Lanka produces 12% of the world’s tea? Not a coffee bean in sight, so if cutting down on the black stuff is what you promised yourself this year then head to this eclectic Asian destination and down all the Darjeeling you please.

Break it – Sấo Paulo, Brazil
If you’re trying to cure your addiction to coffee then clearly Brazil is the wrong place to head to as it produces 40% of the world’s coffee – eek! Coffee is a integral part of society and Brazilian culture, particularly Sấo Paulo.

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