This post was in partnership with FOREO but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
"We’re nearly five months into 2022 and my New Year’s resolutions have totally fallen off the table. After a draining 2021, I started this year with an over-zealous list of ways I wanted to improve myself that included more sleep, more exercise, and eating more vegetables, just to name a few. Well, after a few months of too much focus on “more, more, more,” I totally burned out and my goals were derailed. Does this sound familiar to anyone else?
So on April 1, I decided to hit reset on my resolutions. And instead of making hard-and-fast (i.e. totally unrealistic) goals for myself, my new objective is simply this: Just try to take small steps to improve a few things and give myself grace when my efforts aren’t perfect.
Since that mindset shift, I’ve successfully added five easy but productive habits into my daily routine—and so far, they’re sticking. Read on for more on the changes I’ve made and to learn why they might be positive habits for you, too!
1. Improving my morning skincare regimen
While I’ve gotten my nighttime skincare routine down pat, my morning routine could use a little work. I’m never going to be a 10-step skincare kind of gal, but I could definitely be doing more than simply throwing on some moisturizer after my shower and before moving on to working from home. So I treated myself to a gadget that would help me up my skincare game in a big way: the FOREO LUNA 3.
This small-but-mighty device is a professional-grade facial cleansing tool that, after only a few weeks of use, has already made a significant difference in my skin’s complexion—it’s truly the ultimate beauty upgrade. Each morning, I simply apply my favorite cleanser and use the LUNA 3 to give my face a deep-clean in less than one minute. I just turn on the brush, which is made with ultra-hygienic silicone bristles, and softly massage my forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin before the device’s auto shut-off signals my cleanse is complete.
With 16 customizable intensities to choose from, the LUNA 3 easily clears away dead skin cells, which enhances the absorption of all my skincare products. Plus, the massage allows your facial muscles to relax, reduces puffiness, and instantly gives you younger-looking skin.
Source: Julia Birkinbine Poulter
Though the LUNA 3 is definitely an investment, I know it will be a staple in my daily skincare routine for years to come and save me money on other treatments in the future. The purchase also includes an app that will not only help you learn how to use the device with video tutorials, but it can also customize the settings on your LUNA 3 so your daily cleansing massage is personalized to your skin’s specific needs. How cool is that? And, unlike competitors, this is the only skincare device that offers an ultra-soft, hygienic cleanse and a variety of targeted firming massage routines all in one personalized smart device.
If you’re looking to add an easy-yet-effective step to your morning skincare regimen, I highly recommend using the LUNA 3 for a deep but gentle at-home facial cleanse that will leave your skin looking firm and gives you a radiant glow that lasts all day long.
FOREO
Choose from three different brushes based on your skin type: normal, combination, or sensitive skin.
Use code EVERYMOM10 for 10% off any item in the full LUNA product range!
2. Looking ahead at my daily schedule and to-do list
This one is so simple, but it’s a small thing that has made a huge difference in my daily routine. Before a few weeks ago, I’d usually enjoy a cup of coffee as I settled into my workday, and the very first thing I’d do is look at my calendar of meetings and personal errands paired with a plethora of work tasks. The problem? I was setting myself up for feeling totally overwhelmed and anxious about my to-do list because I wasn’t planning ahead. Every day seemed to bring surprise tasks I wasn’t prepared to tackle—and it made me feel like I was constantly scrambling to get anything done.
Now, I’m still taking some time each morning to sip my coffee and plan my day, but the big difference is that I’m looking at tomorrow’s schedule. This is far from rocket science, but this tiny shift has helped me better prioritize what absolutely needs to get done that day and then plan tomorrow and the rest of my week accordingly. It’s not only made me more productive, but it’s also immensely curbed any feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, or procrastination when it comes to both my personal and professional task list—a huge self-care win in my book.
Source: Social Squares
3. Drinking more water (and less coffee)
Remember that morning cup of coffee I just mentioned? Well, in reality, it’s often a few cups throughout my workday, and I recently realized I need to curb my slight coffee addiction. And guess what? I could also be drinking a lot more water, so this swap is really a win-win.
To make this a habit that sticks, I again made an investment in my self-care and bought myself a pretty water tumbler with a straw that not only keeps my water cold for hours but also allows me to focus on getting work done without having to get up several times to refill my cup.
The Everymom editors have had many a Slack conversation about the viral Stanley tumblers that are beloved for their on-trend colors, giant size, and helpful carrying handle. But my favorite water tumbler is the 30-ounce YETI cup paired with a sold-separately lid and straw set. It’s not quite as big as the Stanley—which is often sold out online anyway—but it still fits in my car’s cupholder if I ever need to take it on the go. Plus, the YETI comes in tons of pretty shades, too. You can even add a monogram through YETI’s website.
YETI
Worth the extra $10 if you're like me and drink way more when using a straw.
4. Aiming to move my body every day
Earlier in this article, I mentioned one of my resolutions was to work out more consistently each week. Well, that wasn’t going so well, mostly because I got bored of doing the same exercise regimen over and over—so I decided to mix things up.
My newly formed habit is to focus on moving my body in some way every day instead of doing a full-fledged workout. Some days, that’s fitting in a Peloton class during my lunch break or taking a walk around the block after work to get some fresh air. On other days, it’s a quick 10-minute desk stretching video on YouTube or a 20-minute yoga flow sequence before I wind down for the night. However it looks, I strive to move my body in some way that makes me feel good. And when it’s something short and simple, I give myself grace and remind myself that tomorrow is another day.
Source: ColorJoy Stock
5. Setting aside time to read (and putting down my phone)
I’ve read 12 books so far this year. That’s more titles than I finished in 2020 and 2021 combined. How did I do it? By putting down my darn phone and leaving it untouched (yes, you can do it!) for at least 30 minutes before bed each evening.
Not only have I made nightly reading a self-care habit in my daily routine, but I’ve also made an effort to always have another book to pick up that I’m excited to read after I’ve finished the last one. For me, reading begets more reading, so when I finish a page-turner, I try to dive into the next book soon after—even if it’s only to read the first few pages. By keeping the habit going in this way, I haven’t missed a night yet. And for an additional tip: I’m not always buying new books—I use my local library’s app to constantly request more titles and put them on hold so the good reads just keep on coming!
This post was in partnership with FOREO, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.