Hitting ‘refresh’ on a new year is harder than it sounds. Especially when we’re still living life mostly indoors, in the same sweats as last year. We get it. How can you build healthy habits with the same, tired tools?
*Clears throat.* That’s where we come in. We did some research and found some things that’ll help you feel great in the new year. Whether you’re looking to up your skin-care game, or make sure you’re hitting your daily step goal. These are the things you need to get started.
Maybe you wanna stop using your phone after 8 pm, maybe you wanna drink less caffeine. Whatever it is, this calendar will help you stay aware of your daily, weekly, and monthly habits. It’s broken down into different categories like sleep, movement, finances, and organization. So you can stay on top of things and set yourself up for success. ($18, Amazon)
Made from eco-friendly bamboo, this toilet paper uses no inks or dyes. And the packaging is plastic-free. About 27,000 trees get cut down every day for toilet paper production. Let that sink in. Switching over to bamboo toilet paper is a small way you can reduce your carbon footprint in 2021. Do good, go green. ($29.99/monthly subscription, Reel)
It’s 2021 and we’re demanding sneaks that don’t cause blisters, aches, or pains. Leaving the house is precious nowadays, and when we step outside, we’re not playing around with comfort. These have a memory-foam insole, breathable mesh, and over 7,000 customer reviews on Amazon. Slip into a pair. ($19.99+, Amazon)
Meet productivity timers. They’re designed to help you with time management and procrastination. You can set the timer in five-minute increments with a red color block. As time passes, the red shrinks, allowing you to time yourself without having to look at a clock or calculate minutes left. Because mental math isn’t really anyone’s thing. ($18.99, Amazon)
Consider this the one sweatshirt you’ll want to wear every day as you WFH. Btw — its French terry is ethically-made from a family-owned mill in Los Angeles. Oh, and it’s pill-resistant and won’t awkwardly stretch. Not to mention it’s a home run in the cozy department. ($55+, Softwear)
2020 was a year. And 2021 is proving to be just as hectic. Enter: Headspace, a mobile app you can download to help you create moments of calm. Guided meditations range in duration (those with busy schedules are welcome), and range in topic. So if you’re dealing some anger and resentment? There's something for that. Maybe you’re struggling to focus on work? There’s a guided meditation for that, too. (Free to download from the App Store)
New year, new schedule. And with this planner, you’ll stay on top of your to-do’s. It’s got note sections, tips for living smarter, an inner pocket, stickers, and monthly spreads (on top of weekly ones). Never miss a Zoom meeting again. ($12.49, Amazon)
This sheet mask focuses on the lower half of your face (the skin that a face mask covers). Each sheet mask is designed to soothe irritation, hydrate, and reduce breakouts. Wearing a face mask is a must during the pandemic, so give a little TLC to the skin underneath. ($34.99/5 masks, Aftermask Sheet Mask on Etsy)
If you’re guilty of hitting snooze one too many times, this full-bodied French roast is the perfect way to get you going in the morning. You can make it hot or cold, and since the grinds come in bags, the longer you steep the bag, the stronger the coffee will be. All packaging is compostable, and it's made in New York, with coffee ethically sourced in Colombia. Sip, sip hooray. ($22/10 packs, Lomli Coffee)
Seriously. It’s a serum, moisturizer, sheer coverage, sunscreen, and blue light/pollutant protector. It can even out skin tone, while increasing hydration and boosting collagen. It’s SPF 25 and made without parabens, chemical sunscreens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. So add it to your arsenal asap because skin-care = self-care. ($64, Iris & Romeo)
Sometimes the incentive to drink plain water is realllll low. Especially when you’re working from home, sitting at a desk all day. This bottle has an infuser rod inside so you can add your favorite fruits to naturally flavor your water. It holds 32 ounces total, and features a thumb grip and lockable lid. Take it everywhere, reap the reward. ($9.99+, Amazon)
Because tossing and turning = bad zzzz’s. Evenly distributed weight can produce a deeper sleep, with more serotonin and less cortisol. Aka more relaxing vibes and less stress. Also, it’s made from very soft cotton, so it’s a must-have. ($249, Bearaby)
In pandemic times, we go from looking at our computers, to our TVs, to our phones. Rinse and repeat. Blue light is high-energy light emitted from screens and overexposure can have negative effects like dry eyes, headaches, sleep disruption, and even increased risk of macular degeneration. Wearing blue-light-blocking glasses protects your eyes and can leave you feeling refreshed by the end of the day. Phew. ($95+, Felix Gray)
Download and get access to strength-based workouts, pilates, yoga, dance, kickboxing classes, and more. From beginner to advanced, you can sweat it out from the privacy of your own home. The app also offers pregnancy and postnatal programs, too. So there’s something for everyone. Get moving. (Free to download from the App Store)
PS: These are editorially selected, but if you purchase, theSkimm may get something in return.
PPS: If something’s out of stock, oops, it was there when we published. And we apologize for any shipping delays due to COVID-19. Thanks.
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Skimm'd by Alexandra Napoli, Jessica Kelly
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