Latest news with #selfcare
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Health
- UAE Moments
Today's Moon Mood: Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Energy: Practical, detail-oriented, and quietly intense Element: Earth Mantra: 'I find peace in the little things.' What does this mean? Today's Virgo Moon is all about precision, organization, and grounding yourself in routines that bring clarity. You might feel the urge to declutter your room and your mind—or finally tackle that to-do list you've been avoiding. There's a quiet, focused energy in the air, encouraging self-care through structure. What to lean into: Plan your week, budget, or meals—it'll feel weirdly satisfying Start a new health habit (think journaling, stretching, or hydrating better) Avoid spiraling into perfectionism—done is better than perfect today Mood Match: A clean workspace, a neatly brewed cup of tea, and lo-fi beats in the background. Cosmic caution: Don't overthink things that don't need fixing. Not everything needs a system—just your energy does. Join our FREE WhatsApp channel to dive into a world of real-time engagement! This article was previously published on omanmoments. To see the original article, click here
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Daily Affirmation for July 22, 2025 to Kickstart Your Vibe
✨ Today's Affirmation: 'I release what I can't control and focus on what lights me up.' 💫 Vibe Check: Feeling anxious? Like you're carrying the whole world on your shoulders? We get it. Some days, the weight of uncertainty can feel extra heavy. But here's your cosmic reminder: you don't have to hold it all together. You're allowed to breathe, to pause, to let go. Today's energy says — let that sh*t go and make space for what brings you peace. 🧘♀️ Why This Works: We live in a hustle-heavy world that celebrates burnout and busyness. But control is an illusion, and peace comes from within — not from having everything figured out. This affirmation calls you back to your center, reminding you to nurture what's in your power: your joy, your purpose, your presence. 🌿 Your Mini Mission: Let go of the pressure to micromanage every outcome. Try this instead: – Make a 'let it go' list: write down 3 things stressing you that you can't control — then tear it up. – Schedule 15 minutes for something that sparks joy: dancing, doodling, or just doing nothing. – Say this when anxiety creeps in: 'This moment is mine. I choose peace over panic.' 🎧 Peace Mode Playlist: For the days you need to exhale and come back to yourself: 'Let Go' – Frou Frou 'Breathe (2 AM)' – Anna Nalick 'Peace' – Taylor Swift 'Good Days' – SZA 'Gravity' – Sara Bareilles 🔮 Bonus Energy Tip: Light a candle or incense. Watch the flame or the smoke rise. As it moves freely, let it remind you: your energy flows best when it's not being boxed in. You're allowed to surrender. You're allowed to shine.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
How I save over $600 on my 'recession nails' whilst still enjoying luxe manicures: POLISHED with Elise Wilson
Welcome to Polished with Elise Wilson, where FEMAIL's qualified makeup artist and hair stylist answers your questions, shares advice and trials the up-and-coming beauty and skincare trends so you don't have to. I simply do not care if this sounds vain, but I live my life by the saying, 'If you look good, you feel good'. In this economy, though? It's proving a little bit harder to look 'as good' as I once did because unfortunately, I am an adult, and I have to also pay a lot of bills. It does sadden me a bit that many of us are rethinking the little luxuries we used to take for granted, especially when it comes to our beauty treats. But for me, and I know I'm not alone, there's one small indulgence I've always found hard to give up, and that's getting my nails done. There's just something about a fresh mani that instantly makes you feel more polished, more put-together, and more like you've got your life in order… even when everything else around you is chaos. It's self-care, sure, but it's also confidence in a bottle. However, when I finally crunched the numbers, I realised my regular nail appointments were adding up to well over $1,600 a year. That's basically a designer handbag or a return flight to Europe, sitting there on my fingertips, chipping away (literally and financially) every two to three weeks. So instead of waving goodbye to the salon altogether, I got smarter. I started looking into ways to stretch out the time between visits, reduce the cost of each appointment, and even DIY it when needed - without sacrificing the glossy, groomed look I love. That's when I stumbled upon the term 'recession nails', and suddenly, it all made sense. The idea behind recession nails is simple; it's any type of manicure or nail maintenance that's designed to either cost less up front or save you money over time. It's the art of being a beauty budget queen by cutting back without feeling like you're missing out. Whether it's choosing colours that grow out better, opting for techniques that last longer, or having clever tools and tricks at home to maintain the look yourself, it's all about getting more bang for your buck. And in this financial climate, that's a beauty strategy I can get behind. So if you, like me, still want to treat yourself but don't want to be caught out when your bank statement hits your inbox, please read on. These are my tried-and-tested, money-saving mani hacks that'll keep your nails looking chic without sacrificing your savings. Get an updated Russian manicure I used to be the girl who'd roll into the salon every two weeks like clockwork, shelling out around $65 a pop for a fresh mani. But once I discovered the magic of the Russian manicure with BIAB (Builder in a Bottle), everything changed. This technique involves a super-detailed e-file cuticle clean (which is cleaner, neater, and way more precise), and the BIAB base gives your nails a beautiful, strong overlay that lasts. Yes, it's a little pricier upfront - mine costs $90 - but I only need to get it done once a month, instead of fortnightly. Do the maths, that's a saving of $610 a year. Not to mention, I've reclaimed my time and I'm no longer glued to a nail table every other weekend. Because seriously, who has the time. Schedule fill-ins instead of full sets If you're a fan of acrylics or gel extensions, you'll know how expensive those full sets can get. So, instead of starting from scratch each time, book in for fill-ins. Most salons offer them for significantly less than a fresh set, and they take half the time. Your nail tech will simply refill the regrowth area and reshape your nails. It's like a facelift for your fingertips without the big price tag. For a quick fix, keep press-on nails handy Gone are the days when press-on nails were flimsy bits of plastic from the $2 shop. Today's versions are gorgeous, and some even look identical to salon acrylics. Before I was getting my BIAB, I'd always keep a pack in my drawer at home and at work for last-minute plans or when I didn't have time to get to the salon. They take 10 minutes to apply (I even did mine on a one-hour flight to Byron Bay once), last up to a week when used with proper glue or sticky tabs, and come in every shape and colours imaginable. It's the ultimate emergency mani, and no appointment necessary. Stick to nude-coloured polish A classic nude manicure doesn't just look elegant, it's also a genius money-saving strategy. When your natural nails start to grow out, it's way less obvious with a soft pink, beige or sheer taupe. Bright colours and bold nail art might look cute at first, but they'll betray your budget efforts pretty quickly. There's a reason why 'princess nails', 'soap nails', and the 'quiet luxury' aesthetic are all over TikTok and Instagram right now. This isn't just about beauty trends, it's a sign of the times. As financial wellness expert Nicole Victoria put it in her recent viral clip: 'These trends don't just appear, they signal something deeper.' Translation? People are tightening their belts… but they still want to look polished doing it. Take supplements to boost healthy nail growth Qsilica Skin, Hair & Nails Capsules ($59), available at Chemist Warehouse If you want your mani to last longer and your nails to grow stronger, start from the inside out. A good supplement routine can make all the difference. Look for ingredients like silica, biotin, zinc and collagen, which are known to support nail strength and reduce breakage. It's a small investment that pays off, especially if it means your nails won't peel, snap, or crack before your next fill. Make your own cuticle oil – straight from your pantry Save money by making your own cuticle oil from pantry staples like jojoba, almond, coconut or even olive oil You know those tiny bottles of cuticle oil at the salon that cost as much as your actual manicure? Skip them. You can make your own using pantry staples like jojoba, almond, coconut or even olive oil. Just rub a drop into each cuticle every night before bed. Trust me your nails will stay hydrated, your mani will last longer, and your bank account will thank you. Use a high-quality top coat If you're going full DIY, do not skimp on the top coat. A good one will make even the most amateur mani last twice as long and save you the frustration of chips within 24 hours. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat, $11.37 (on sale from ($18.95) My go-to is Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat ($18.95), it gives that ultra-glossy gel finish without the need for a UV lamp. Just pair it with your favourite polish and you're good to go. These little hacks have not only saved me hundreds of dollars a year, but they've also changed how I approach beauty in general. It's not about doing less, it's about doing it better. In the age of rising prices and economic uncertainty, 'recession nails' might just be the perfect combination of luxury and logic. Because honestly? Life's too short for bad nails - and way too expensive for bad budgeting. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect those of any brands or companies mentioned. This content is not sponsored or endorsed in any way.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
The science of redesigning your personality
For years, Olga Khazan, a Virginia-based staff writer at The Atlantic, knew she had a big problem: she hated much of her own personality. "I was constantly worried about everything," she said. "Just never living in the moment. And I didn't really like doing anything fun with other people. Just wasn't my thing." How might she function at a party? "I would kind of stand off to myself, and honestly, sometimes just, like, read articles on my phone or just basically not engage," she laughed. Not surprisingly, a lot of folks didn't want to engage with Khazan, either. "One person called me a pressure addict, that I was sort of obsessed with working, and just doing as much work as possible, and never taking a minute to appreciate life," she said. "One person told me that she was kind of afraid of me when we worked together." Predictably, when she took a personality test four years ago, she was off the charts – way off – in neuroticism, or negative emotions … not that she hadn't tried to find help: "This whole time I'd been in therapy," Khazan said. "I had taken different medications. I did yoga. And I did all the self-care things. Nothing was truly working." Frustrated, Khazan set out to do something much more radical: She vowed to redesign her whole personality. "I decided to spend a year trying to change my personality traits," she laughed. Professor Shannon Sauer-Zavala described one's personality as "your characteristic way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It's how you think about your behavior and how you act." I asked, "I always assumed that once you had reached a certain age, your personality was your personality?" "That really is, I think, the prevailing way to think about personality, but it doesn't line up with our science," Sauer-Zavala replied. Personality science is her specialty, and her research at the University of Kentucky could be a game-changer for how we approach mental health issues. She says data tells us it is possible to scientifically change your personality, and that, with the right intervention, introverts can become extroverts … sloppy people can get neater … slackers can gain ambition … and anxious people can learn to be calm. "In my almost 20 years of treating people with anxiety disorders, I've seen dramatic changes in 12, 16, 20 weeks," Sauer-Zavala said. Step one is a baseline personality test, which asks questions such as: "I sometimes manipulate people into doing what I want." The next step is forcing yourself to act the opposite of how you normally would. If you're shy, make conversations. If you're messy, make the bed. Sauer-Zavala said, "When we make intentional changes to our thinking, our feeling, and our behaviors, and we maintain those changes over time, then we're essentially shifting our personality. We're changing the way we're gonna fill out those bubbles on the personality questionnaire." "So, you consciously adopt the behavior of the personality that you think you want?" I asked. "You make it sound easy." "It's not easy," Sauer-Zavala replied. "The principles are simple, but the execution is difficult." It wasn't easy for Olga Khazan, the lifelong introvert. Among other strategies to tackle her social anxiety, she enrolled in an improv class with total strangers … something completely outside her comfort zone. "I was very, very scared," she said. "Probably for the first three or four months that I did it, my heart was really beating in my chest, and I was deeply uncomfortable." What about it scared her? "I didn't like looking silly!" she laughed. Murphy McHugh, who was Khazan's improv teacher, said, "For me, doing improv was a life-changing thing. I opened up socially. I became a better listener, a better collaborator." He said as Khazan continued coming to class, he noticed changes in her: "Relaxing, a little bit less of the cross-armed body language. You see someone relaxed, you see their shoulders drop. You see them laughing, and coming into scenes with an idea." Along with improv, Khazan meditated, went sailing, took conversation classes, and kept a journal, as she describes in a new book, "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change." "Journaling kind of helps you focus on some of the more positive elements of your life that, if you're very neurotic, you tend to kind of gloss over or forget," she said. I asked, "Is this a case of fake it 'til you make it?" "Yeah, it is fake it 'til you make it," Khazan said. "Because if you think about it, anything is gonna feel fake if it feels new, right? Anything that you're not accustomed to doing is gonna feel really unnatural. But the only way to make it natural is to do it over and over and over again" "And just incorporate it in who you are?" "Exactly." Today, Khazan is happily married, with a 14-month-old baby. As for that personality she once so disliked, she said, "I feel like I am a different person today than I was three years ago. I think I genuinely have a different way of living my life, and approaching problems, than I did before." So, what advice does Shannon Sauer-Zavala have for everyone watching with completely unsatisfactory personalities? "Not to get stuck in a personality-type box," she said. "Think about the life that you want to have, and then know that you can intentionally develop the traits that will facilitate that journey for you." READ AN EXCERPT: "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change" For more info: "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change" by Olga Khazan (S&S/Simon Element), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formats, available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Khazan, The AtlanticShannon Sauer-Zavala, associate professor, Department of Psychology, University of KentuckyDC Arts Center Story produced by Amiel Weisfogel. Editor: Ed Givnish. See also: Introverts and the making of a "Quiet Revolution" ("Sunday Morning") Would you go on a retirement cruise? A Civil War landmark in downtown D.C. Life within Naples' volcanic "red zone" Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
The science of redesigning your personality
For years, Olga Khazan, a Virginia-based staff writer at The Atlantic, knew she had a big problem: she hated much of her own personality. "I was constantly worried about everything," she said. "Just never living in the moment. And I didn't really like doing anything fun with other people. Just wasn't my thing." How might she function at a party? "I would kind of stand off to myself, and honestly, sometimes just, like, read articles on my phone or just basically not engage," she laughed. Not surprisingly, a lot of folks didn't want to engage with Khazan, either. "One person called me a pressure addict, that I was sort of obsessed with working, and just doing as much work as possible, and never taking a minute to appreciate life," she said. "One person told me that she was kind of afraid of me when we worked together." Predictably, when she took a personality test four years ago, she was off the charts – way off – in neuroticism, or negative emotions … not that she hadn't tried to find help: "This whole time I'd been in therapy," Khazan said. "I had taken different medications. I did yoga. And I did all the self-care things. Nothing was truly working." Frustrated, Khazan set out to do something much more radical: She vowed to redesign her whole personality. "I decided to spend a year trying to change my personality traits," she laughed. Professor Shannon Sauer-Zavala described one's personality as "your characteristic way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. It's how you think about your behavior and how you act." I asked, "I always assumed that once you had reached a certain age, your personality was your personality?" "That really is, I think, the prevailing way to think about personality, but it doesn't line up with our science," Sauer-Zavala replied. Personality science is her specialty, and her research at the University of Kentucky could be a game-changer for how we approach mental health issues. She says data tells us it is possible to scientifically change your personality, and that, with the right intervention, introverts can become extroverts … sloppy people can get neater … slackers can gain ambition … and anxious people can learn to be calm. "In my almost 20 years of treating people with anxiety disorders, I've seen dramatic changes in 12, 16, 20 weeks," Sauer-Zavala said. Step one is a baseline personality test, which asks questions such as: "I sometimes manipulate people into doing what I want." The next step is forcing yourself to act the opposite of how you normally would. If you're shy, make conversations. If you're messy, make the bed. Sauer-Zavala said, "When we make intentional changes to our thinking, our feeling, and our behaviors, and we maintain those changes over time, then we're essentially shifting our personality. We're changing the way we're gonna fill out those bubbles on the personality questionnaire." "So, you consciously adopt the behavior of the personality that you think you want?" I asked. "You make it sound easy." "It's not easy," Sauer-Zavala replied. "The principles are simple, but the execution is difficult." It wasn't easy for Olga Khazan, the lifelong introvert. Among other strategies to tackle her social anxiety, she enrolled in an improv class with total strangers … something completely outside her comfort zone. "I was very, very scared," she said. "Probably for the first three or four months that I did it, my heart was really beating in my chest, and I was deeply uncomfortable." What about it scared her? "I didn't like looking silly!" she laughed. Murphy McHugh, who was Khazan's improv teacher, said, "For me, doing improv was a life-changing thing. I opened up socially. I became a better listener, a better collaborator." He said as Khazan continued coming to class, he noticed changes in her: "Relaxing, a little bit less of the cross-armed body language. You see someone relaxed, you see their shoulders drop. You see them laughing, and coming into scenes with an idea." Along with improv, Khazan meditated, went sailing, took conversation classes, and kept a journal, as she describes in a new book, "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change." "Journaling kind of helps you focus on some of the more positive elements of your life that, if you're very neurotic, you tend to kind of gloss over or forget," she said. I asked, "Is this a case of fake it 'til you make it?" "Yeah, it is fake it 'til you make it," Khazan said. "Because if you think about it, anything is gonna feel fake if it feels new, right? Anything that you're not accustomed to doing is gonna feel really unnatural. But the only way to make it natural is to do it over and over and over again" "And just incorporate it in who you are?" "Exactly." Today, Khazan is happily married, with a 14-month-old baby. As for that personality she once so disliked, she said, "I feel like I am a different person today than I was three years ago. I think I genuinely have a different way of living my life, and approaching problems, than I did before." So, what advice does Shannon Sauer-Zavala have for everyone watching with completely unsatisfactory personalities? "Not to get stuck in a personality-type box," she said. "Think about the life that you want to have, and then know that you can intentionally develop the traits that will facilitate that journey for you." READ AN EXCERPT: "Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change" For more info: Story produced by Amiel Weisfogel. Editor: Ed Givnish. See also:
