13 Zen Hacks To Help You Prioritize Me Time In 2023

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After another year of the COVID-19 pandemic and hustling to make ends meet through soaring inflation, it’s imperative we’re doing everything to keep our minds, bodies and spiritual chakras in tack in 2023. It’s time for some big zen energy.  

This year, let’s do things a little differently. Want to lose weight? Get that body some zen with low-impact beginner exercises on YouTube. Feeling cluttered? This year is the perfect time to bring zen to that junk drawer by tossing out all that old stuff you haven’t used in almost a decade. Want to travel more? Make small saving goals every day to tuck away some cash for that dream vacation. 

Here’s the deal. Self-care has become a buzzword in our daily vernacular. We pamper ourselves from time to time, but when our busy work-life schedules start kicking into high gear, our self-care goals usually end up falling by the wayside. Let’s prioritize more me time this year. It doesn’t have to be complicated either.

Here’s a tip. Try to create small pockets of zen throughout your week to keep peace and harmony flowing in tandem with your busy workload. Working at home? Step away from the computer for 15 to 20 minutes every hour for some quick meditation. Can’t afford those expensive spa treatments? Hit up google and research an easy at-home facial recipe that you can do while you relax on a lazy Sunday.

Let this year be your most selfish. Take some time to truly think about what peace, zen, and harmony look like and mean for you. Write it down, read it aloud and practice what you preach. Make a schedule for it even if you have to, because you deserve it. 

Here are a couple of easy zen hacks that you can implement into your schedule to help usher in big zen energy and peace this year.

1. Do some Shambhavi Meditation

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Shambhavi is a yoga practice that includes deep breathing and meditation techniques. Some say the unique form of meditation can help unlock your third eye and promote more energy. The technique is known to decrease stress levels in people after prolonged implementation. 

In an interview with our sister site Hello Beautiful, Omarion revealed that he regularly starts his morning with sun salutations and Shambhavi to help him kick start the day with positive and peaceful energy. Break out that Yoga mat and give it try before you start your day this year.

2. Keep your space tidy

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Living in a messy and cluttered space can make life feel way more stressful when you’re busy with work and everything else in between. Take small steps every day to keep your space tidy. Working from home? Clean up your desk and make up your bed every morning. Consider donating the clothes you don’t wear anymore and toss out those items that have been collecting dust. If you have a few helping hands, consider rearranging the furniture in your home to switch up the vibe and let new energy into your space this year. A clear space will ultimately give way to a clean and zenful mind.

3. Add something new to your self-care routine

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There is zen care in skin care. It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Have you ever tried giving yourself a fruit facial? We know it sounds bizarre, but fruits are loaded with vitamins and nutrients that help to keep your body in tip-top shape. They do wonders for the skin, too, and they will have your face glistening with that post-spa glow in no time. 

Bananas are great for soothing the skin and fighting back against inflammation and irritation. They can also help to cleanse the pores and remove dirt and product residue.

Raspberries are packed with antioxidants that can help to reduce free radicals and prevent wrinkles. Style Craze has a great fruit facial recipe that you can use for your next self-care day at home.

4. Load your calendar with things to look forward to 

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Pile up your calendar with exciting activities to look forward to. It could be something as simple as going out to eat with an old friend or scheduling a quick weekend getaway with your significant other. The excitement of having something planned for the months ahead will keep you in good spirits and energized throughout the year.

5. Make a to-do list 

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Get organized this year. Before you end your work day, write down a list of tasks you need to get done for the next day. Try to knock out tasks that require more time and attention at the start of your week. It will help you to free up your schedule a lot quicker and prevent burnout. 

6. Plan more girl’s nights

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Spend more time with the girls this year. Even if it means piling up at each other’s houses for a fun sleepover. Spending time with friends can be great for your mental health. Need to complain about a stressful life event? Talk to your friends about it. Who knows you better than your best gal pal? 

Use the opportunity to catch up on life events. You can also check in to see how they might be dealing with the ups and downs of life. Sometimes our busy work schedules can have us feeling drained. It’s important to fill up your cup with some fun and laughter. Our friends always have the light we need to restore our energy when things get tough.

7. Go for a walk or a bike ride 

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Get that body moving this year. You don’t need to sign up for an expensive gym to do it either. Purchase a cheap bike and go for a ride in the park. Low on cash? A good old fashion walk around the neighborhood will do the trick.

8. Cook a healthy meal for yourself

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Health is wealth. You can do all of the exercises in the world, but if you’re not pairing movement with a healthy plate, it will be hard to meet those fitness goals that you are in search of. Start this year by creating a healthy meal for yourself. Try cooking a simple protein with some of your favorite vegetables. Spread out your carby meals with a tasty salad or a yummy fruit snack. Cooking healthy can be easy and fun. Looking for some recipes? MADAMENOIRE has a ton. Check out these quick and easy recipes from some of our favorite Black chefs.

9. Take a long bubble bath with some chilled wine

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After a long day of work, jump into the bath or shower to help decompress throughout the week. Take a nice chilled glass of wine in there with you, too. A glass of red will help those stresses from the day melt away, and you just might be doing your health a favor, too.

Red wine, in moderation, can have great health benefits for the heart. Red wine contains antioxidants that may help to prevent coronary artery disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Health experts believe that the antioxidants in red wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol buildup. Looking for a nice glass of red wine for your next bubble bath sesh? Check out some of these Black-owned wine brands.

10. Make a playlist with your favorite songs

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Music works wonders for the soul. Create a playlist that will have you dancing, jumping and skipping around throughout the week. It will help you to keep your energy and morale up when things get tough.

11. Take care of a plant, seriously

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Hear us out on this one. Taking care of plants can be very therapeutic and a great self-care routine. Growing a plant holds similarities to personal growth in our lives. Plant the seed, cultivate the ground with water and fertilizer, and watch that thing grow! Planting particular kinds of plants might provide some great health benefits, too.

According to Healthline, Lavender plants are known to improve energy and neutralize harmful indoor chemicals. They can also help you flourish mentally, physically and spiritually. Are you currently caring for an aloe vera plant? You can cut off the leaves to treat burns, cuts or scars.

12. Get some extra sleep on the weekends

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Don’t you dare turn on that alarm! Getting a few extra minutes of sleep on the weekend will help to restore your energy for the busy week ahead. On the weekdays, try getting into bed earlier, so you can get those extra Zs in. You’re going to need all the sleep you can get to power through 2023.

13. Save 20 bucks every week

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Saving $20 every week will help you get to that dream vacation or that dream home even faster. By the end of the year, you’ll have $1,040 bucks tucked away to put toward a fun getaway or an investment goal that you have been itching to hit. With a recession looming on the horizon, we are going to need to hold onto a few coins just in case things get a little rocky. Finance coach Kara Stevens gave MN some great tips on how to save for the unexpected. Check out our interview with Stevens to see what savvy saving tips you can add to your own personal budget. 

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