insideKENT Magazine Issue 25 - April 2014 | Page 94

HEALTH+WELLNESS

spring clean your life
LIFESTYLE EXPERT, BUSINESS MENTOR AND AUTHOR OF FINDING A FUTURE THAT
FITS, LOUISE PRESLEY-TURNER OFFERS A SERIES OF USEFUL TIPS WHEN IT COMES
TO CLEARING THE CLUTTER AND SPRING CLEANING OUR LIVES THIS SEASON.
Get your priorities straight

forever. While the beginning of any relationship
is exhilarating and fun, as time goes by couples
settle into the daily routine and it’s up to you to
ensure you still make that effort.
• Communicate every day, even if it’s just for five
minutes. And always make time to really listen
to what the other is saying.
• Respect your partner even when you disagree.
You should never belittle your partner, especially
when the kids or other people are around.
• Take the time to ensure your physical
relationship is a priority; hold hands in public
and offer lots of hugs and kisses.
• Saying ‘I love you’ doesn’t require any effort at
all, but it has the power to radically change the
mood in an instant.

Do you find yourself saying ‘yes’ when you know
you ought to really be saying ‘no’? If so, it’s time
to value yourself and do more of the things you
love. In doing so, re-establish your boundaries
both personally and professionally to identify what
is acceptable to you and what’s not.
• Make a list of what your boundaries are in each
area of your life – that way you’ll clearly know
when they are being breached.
• Write a list of all the things you enjoy – past
and present – and things you’d still like to try
to do. It may even be as simple as trying a new
hobby or reading a book.
• Make your lists as long as you can and pin
them on your fridge or bathroom mirror as a
daily reminder.
• Each week aim to tick at least one thing off of
your list and see what a difference it makes to
your life. I think you might be surprised!

Improve your relationship

Restore your health

consistently looking at unfinished DIY or have a
cascade of crumpled clothes fall on your head
each time you open the wardrobe doors, then
it’s only going to add to your stress levels.
• Make a list of every niggling job that requires
action, and pin your list on the fridge door.
Leave nothing out and aim to cross at least
three items off of your list each week.
• Take a minute to think who can best help you
work through your list? Whether it be a family
member, an odd-job-man, the kids – delegate
tasks where you can.
• Hold a car boot sale and sell off anything you
no longer need from the loft, cupboards and
garage. What’s rubbish to you may be someone
else’s treasure.

Fix your finances
Do you have health issues that you’ve been
putting up with for months or even years? Or
have you been neglecting your diet or physical
fitness? It’s time to stop procrastinating and sort
it out once and for all.
• Book a doctor’s appointment – and do it today!
• Arrange to see a chiropractor, nutritionist or
specialist if need be.
• Hire a personal trainer – there is no doubt that
accountability works.
• Join a slimming club; often having support from
others who are trying to shed the pounds can
make the world of difference to your motivation.
• Visit a spa or book a relaxing weekend away
to recharge your batteries.

Sort your clutter
All couples enter into a relationship or marriage
with the expectation that their passion will last

We all know that money plays a huge role in our
lives and can cause no end of tension, worry and
anxiety. So therefore, having your money in check
really does lead to a more harmonious existenc