the ward method

Tag: health

  • It’s Sunday. It’s Hot.

    It’s Sunday. It’s Hot.

    It’s Sunday. The kind of Sunday where everything feels slower, softer, and slightly dreamlike, except for the heat. It’s almost Christmas, but Cape Town is doing what Cape Town does best: serving full summer energy. The sun is out, the air is heavy, and even doing the bare minimum feels like a lot.

    Today feels like one of those days that isn’t asking for productivity or plans. It’s asking for rest, cold drinks, open windows, and permission to move at half speed. A day where the goal is simply to feel comfortable and a little bit present, even when the temperature says otherwise.

    When the heat hits like this, I’ve learned to stop fighting it and start working with it. Here are three simple, realistic ways to keep cool during a Cape Town summer, especially on days like today.

    1. Change the pace, not the plan.
    On hot days, everything feels harder because we’re trying to move at normal speed in abnormal weather. Instead of pushing through, slow the tempo. Stretch things out. Sit down more often. Do less, but do it gently. Even simple things like slower mornings, longer breaks, or postponing non-urgent plans can make the heat feel more manageable.

    2. Cool your body, not just the room.
    Fans and aircon help, but cooling yourself directly works faster. Cold showers, rinsing your wrists with cold water, keeping a chilled face mist in the fridge, or placing a cold cloth on the back of your neck can instantly bring relief. It’s small, but it makes a difference, especially when the air feels thick and unmoving.

    3. Eat and drink like it’s summer.
    Heavy meals in this heat are a no. Think light, hydrating, and easy: fruit, smoothies, salads, iced teas, and plenty of water. Even switching to colder drinks or adding ice to everything can help regulate your body temperature. Sometimes staying cool is less about doing more and more about not overloading yourself.

    Days like today aren’t meant to be maximized. They’re meant to be felt, slowly, imperfectly, and with a bit of grace. It’s Sunday. It’s hot. Christmas is close. And if all you do today is stay cool and take it easy, that’s more than enough.

  • Why green juice actually helps with bloat (and doesn’t suck).

    Why green juice actually helps with bloat (and doesn’t suck).

    I know many people roll their eyes at anyone who swore by green juice. Like okay, babe, you blend spinach and suddenly your gut issues are gone? Sure.

    But then… I actually got into it a few years ago.

    And listen — I get it now.

    Because here’s the thing: Lately, I’ve been having green juice in the morning or mid-afternoon, and it’s honestly been a game-changer, especially for bloating. I actually do like the taste in a weird way, I’m not even kidding right now. Don’t judge me.

    That uncomfortable kind of bloat? Gone. Or at least, way less frequent.

    Green juice is basically like hitting reset on your digestive system. It’s full of ingredients that help reduce inflammation, flush out excess water, and support your gut, all without feeling like you’re on some weird cleanse.

    Here’s why it helps so much:

    🥬 Hydration = less water retention. Most green juices are packed with cucumber, celery, and leafy greens, all loaded with water. When you’re properly hydrated, your body doesn’t cling to excess water (aka, less bloat).

    🍋 Lemon + ginger = natural digestion support. Lemon juice helps your body produce digestive enzymes, while ginger calms your stomach and reduces inflammation.

    🌿 Chlorophyll = gut glow-up. Found in all those leafy greens, chlorophyll helps your body detox gently and keeps things… moving (you know what I mean).

    The best part? You don’t have to be hardcore about it. You don’t need an expensive juicer or some 5-day juice cleanse that makes you hate life. I literally just make mine with cucumber, lemon, spinach, apple, and ginger, or grab a bottled one that’s low in sugar.

    It’s not about being “that girl”, it’s about feeling good in your body. The less bloat, the lighter you feel. And honestly, there’s something so satisfying about starting the day with something green. It feels like you’re setting the tone, fresh, balanced, kind to yourself.

    So yep. I guess I’m in my green juice era again.
    And I’m not mad about it. I highly recommend.

  • I’ve learnt maybe yoghurt isn’t my vibe (and that’s okay).

    I’ve learnt maybe yoghurt isn’t my vibe (and that’s okay).

    You know when you go through that phase where you convince yourself you’re finally going to be the “yoghurt and muesli for breakfast” girl? You romanticize it. You picture yourself sitting in the morning light, tiny bowl, crunchy granola, maybe some chia seeds if you’re feeling fancy. Yep… I was her. For a while.

    And honestly? I wanted it to be my thing. It looked cute. It felt healthy. But then came the bloat. And me not liking how it affected my skin.

    At some point, I had to be real with myself: yoghurt just isn’t my vibe. And that’s fine.

    So lately, I’ve been keeping things lighter, like fresh pineapple in the morning. Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that helps with digestion and inflammation (aka, it’s basically your gut’s best friend). Plus, it’s packed with vitamin C, which is amazing for skin health and that natural glow we all want without caking on highlighter.

    On days when I’m craving something more filling, I go for my new favourite combo: avocado with an egg. It’s the perfect mix of healthy fats, protein, and flavour, keeps you full, balanced, and not in that “I just ate cement” way. The avocado gives you that creamy texture (and those skin-loving fats), while the egg adds the perfect amount of energy to start the day strong.

    The thing I’ve realized is this: there’s no one-size-fits-all healthy breakfast. It’s not about copying what looks good on TikTok. It’s about listening to your body, what makes you feel light, clear, and alive.

    Because food isn’t just fuel; it’s energy, mood, and self-care all wrapped into one little morning ritual. And sometimes, that ritual looks like pineapple and sunshine. Sometimes, it looks like avo toast with an egg and a cup of matcha on the side.

    Either way, it’s yours. And that’s what makes it perfect.

  • how to mentally prepare for summer (eeek).

    how to mentally prepare for summer (eeek).

    Summer’s coming, and honestly, that’s kind of exciting.
    The energy shifts. The days stretch longer. Everything feels lighter, freer, a little bit golden. But with that comes this quiet pressure to do more, to fill every weekend, to make memories, to be “on” all the time.

    And while it’s fun to crave a main-character summer moment, it’s also okay to want something slower. Maybe this year isn’t about changing everything. Maybe it’s about actually being present for the good stuff you already have.

    Here’s how to mentally prepare for the season, without the pressure to glow up, fix yourself, or turn into a beachy Pinterest board version of you.

    1. Romanticize the real summer.

    Let’s be honest: the perfect summer doesn’t exist, but the real one? That’s where the magic is. Think: long walks at sunset, cold drinks on a warm night, hair that smells like sunscreen, music playing from someone’s car. That’s the good stuff.
    Try this: instead of planning the perfect summer, make a “feel list”, how do you want this season to feel? Calm? Playful? Free? Once you know that, build small moments that match it.

    2. Protect your peace (and your social battery)

    Summer can be social overload, plans, parties, beach days, last-minute everything. It’s easy to burn out trying to keep up with everyone else’s version of “fun.”
    Try this: be intentional with your yes’s. For every social plan, plan a recharge moment too, a solo coffee, a quiet beach walk, a day with no expectations. Summer is supposed to fill your cup, not empty it.

    3. Let “good enough” be the vibe.

    You don’t have to transform just because the season changed. You don’t have to become “that girl” or have your life together by June.
    Try this: do one thing every day that helps you feel like you. Read outside. Go for a drive. Make your favourite playlist. It’s not about being ready for summer, it’s about feeling alive in it.

    This summer isn’t about pressure. It’s about peace.
    It’s soft mornings, salty skin, laughter you didn’t plan for. It’s giving yourself permission to exist, as you are, where you are, right now.

    Same you, just a little sunnier.

  • the drink of the summer? matcha.

    the drink of the summer? matcha.

    summer’s creeping in, the kind of days that smell like sunscreen, sound like playlists you’ve overplayed, and feel like you’re constantly chasing the next iced drink.

    and for me, that drink is matcha.

    honestly, it’s more than just a drink at this point, it’s a ritual. a personality trait. a small, green piece of peace in the chaos.

    there’s something about an iced matcha that just feels like summer, the way it clinks with ice cubes, the creamy swirl when you mix it, that earthy-sweet flavor that somehow wakes you up without making your heart race. it’s calm energy in a cup.

    and that’s kind of the thing, matcha isn’t loud. it doesn’t rush you into the day the way coffee does. it eases you in. it’s slower, softer, intentional. it’s that reminder to breathe between the busy.

    plus, it’s ridiculously aesthetic. i mean, let’s be honest, the green straw, the pastel cup, the sunlight hitting just right for a photo you probably won’t even post. it’s a vibe.

    but beyond the vibe, it’s also how it makes me feel. matcha has this way of turning ordinary moments into small acts of self-care. whether it’s sipping one on a morning walk, grabbing it after the gym, or just having it while sitting on your balcony, it’s that gentle “everything’s okay” energy we all need.

    so yes, summer might be about beaches, road trips, and sunsets, but it’s also about the little rituals that make it feel like you. and for me, that’s a cold matcha in hand, windows down, and nowhere to be in a rush.

    matcha isn’t just the drink of the summer.
    it’s the energy of it, calm, cool, and completely in the moment.

  • i deleted instagram for 2 months. here’s what actually happened.

    i deleted instagram for 2 months. here’s what actually happened.

    i’ve always joked that instagram is my toxic boyfriend. i know it’s bad for me, but somehow i keep going back. the mindless scrolling, the comparing, the random dopamine hits, it’s like emotional junk food for the brain. but this year, something in me snapped. one morning, i opened the app, scrolled for two minutes, and realized i didn’t actually care about anything i was looking at. so i deleted it. no big announcement, no “digital detox” story post, i just… left.

    and honestly? it was weird at first. like my thumb kept going to the exact spot where the app used to be, as if muscle memory was exposing how addicted i really was. but after a few days, the noise started to fade, and i started noticing things. real things.

    1. i actually have time.

    turns out, when you stop scrolling through everyone else’s life, you get to live your own. shocking, i know. i didn’t realize how much time i was wasting until my weekends started to feel longer. mornings felt calmer. i was making breakfast without also mentally drafting a caption about it. there’s something strangely freeing about doing things without thinking about how they’ll look online.

    2. my brain got quieter.

    without the constant stream of opinions, aesthetics, and “inspo,” my thoughts stopped feeling so crowded. i didn’t realize how much space instagram took up in my head, always comparing, analyzing, trying to keep up. after a few weeks, i felt… lighter. more focused. i could actually sit in silence without reaching for distraction.

    3. i reached out more.

    when you’re not liking everyone’s photos, you actually text them. weird, right? i started texting friends instead of just watching their stories. i had longer conversations, met up more, and realized how much deeper connection feels offline.

    4. comparison lost its grip.

    there’s something about being away from the highlight reel that makes your own life feel more than enough. i stopped obsessing over what everyone else was doing, where they were traveling, what they were wearing. instead, i started noticing how good my own coffee tasted in the morning, how peaceful it felt to walk without headphones, how lucky i am to have the people i have.

    5. i figured out what i actually like.

    this was the most unexpected one. without being subconsciously influenced by trends, I started gravitating toward things that genuinely made me happy, not just what looked “aesthetic” or got likes. i realized i love slick back buns, minimal make-up, baggy clothes, random playlists, and long walks with no purpose. my taste, my style, my thoughts, they felt like mine again.

    stepping back from the app reminded me of something i kind of forgot: scrolling isn’t living. it’s observing. it’s watching other people’s lives through a tiny glass window. but when you shut it for a bit, you realize how much beauty is sitting quietly in your own world, your people, your routines, your quiet mornings, your bad days, your good ones.

    and life offline? it’s slower, softer, more real.
    and honestly… it feels pretty damn good.

  • Ghosting your negative thought patterns.

    Ghosting your negative thought patterns.

    We’ve all been there, caught in a loop of overthinking, self-doubt, or that one embarrassing thing we said in 2016. Negative thought patterns have a sneaky way of making themselves at home, like uninvited guests who refuse to leave the party.

    But here’s the thing: just like you can ghost a toxic ex, you can ghost your own negative thoughts. The trick isn’t pretending they don’t exist, it’s deciding they don’t get front-row seats in your mind anymore.

    So, how do you actually do it? Here are two practical (and kind of freeing) ways to start:

    1. Call them out like a bad Tinder date.

    The next time your brain tells you: “You’re not good enough” or “You’re never going to figure this out”, don’t just accept it. Call it out. Literally say (in your head or out loud if you’re dramatic like me): “Cool story, but not true.”

    It’s wild how much power negative thoughts lose when you stop letting them be the authority. Label them for what they are, fear, insecurity, old conditioning, and move on.

    Think of it as swiping left on mental clutter.

    2. Replace the story with a better one.

    Ghosting isn’t just ignoring, it’s choosing something better for yourself. Once you’ve called out the negative thought, replace it with a new story.

    Example:
    Negative thought: “I’ll never be successful.”
    Replacement: “I’m still learning, but every step I take is proof I’m building something real.”

    You don’t have to jump from zero to “I’m a billionaire genius” (though hey, manifest away). Just shift the story into something that feels possible, true, and kind.

    Ghosting your negative thought patterns doesn’t mean you’ll never overthink or spiral again. You’re human. The goal is to stop letting those thoughts run the show. Every time you call them out and rewrite the story, you’re proving to yourself that you’re in charge, not the voice in your head.

    And honestly? That’s the kind of glow-up no one can take from you.

  • 4 ways to feel more positive (even on the messy days).

    4 ways to feel more positive (even on the messy days).

    Let’s be real, life isn’t always Instagram-perfect. Some days you wake up, spill coffee on your shirt, and wonder if anything’s actually going right. But positivity doesn’t have to be some grand, unattainable state. Sometimes it’s just about the little things that help you shift your vibe. Here are four ways I try to feel a bit lighter, even when life gets messy:

    1. Move Your Body Without Pressure

    You don’t need a full workout or an intense gym session. Walks without a destination, dancing around your room to that one album you’ve been obsessed with, or even stretching while your coffee brews, all of it helps shift your energy. Moving your body reminds your brain that you’re alive, capable, and ready for whatever comes next.

    2. Give Yourself Small Wins

    Positivity grows when you actually see yourself doing things, even tiny things. Make your bed, finish that podcast episode you’ve been putting off, or make yourself a snack you genuinely enjoy. These small wins tell your brain, “I’m doing okay, actually.”

    3. Curate Your Mental Diet

    What you consume affects your mood. Music, books, podcasts, even the social media accounts you follow, all of it adds to your mental landscape. Surround yourself with things that uplift, inspire, or entertain you, not just things that stress you out or make you compare.

    4. Celebrate the Small Joys

    It sounds cliché, but noticing little things makes a difference. That matcha you’ve been obsessed with, a hilarious show you can’t stop bingeing, a cute outfit, or just the sunset on your evening walk, these tiny moments are the fuel for positivity.

    Bottom line: positivity isn’t about ignoring the hard stuff. It’s about creating pockets of light, energy, and comfort in your day, the things that remind you life isn’t only chaos.

    Sometimes it’s just that small shift that makes the whole day feel a little brighter.

  • A few things I’m loving rn.

    A few things I’m loving rn.

    Life feels a little less overwhelming when you slow down and notice the little things that are currently making you happy. Here’s a list of what I’ve been obsessed with lately, the random mix of music, drinks, hobbies, and small joys that are making my days feel more like me.

    1. G-Eazy’s HELIUM album (on repeat, literally)
    I don’t think a day has gone by without me playing this album. It’s one of those soundtracks that just gets under your skin in the best way, moody, therapeutic, nostalgic, but also motivating in a weird way. There’s something about having an album on repeat that feels comforting, like you’re creating the backdrop to your own movie.

    2. Justin Bieber’s Swag album
    Okay… Justin came back with this album and it’s everything I didn’t know I needed. It has that confident, playful Bieber energy but still hits you with emotion in the right places. It’s been giving me 2010s nostalgia while still feeling super fresh and artistic. I catch myself humming it while making coffee, which is basically the ultimate stamp of approval.

    3. Matcha Frios (my current personality trait)
    I’m in my matcha era. I don’t know what it is, but an ice-cold matcha frio feels like therapy in a cup. Maybe it’s the earthy flavour, maybe it’s the ritual of sipping something green and aesthetic, but it’s definitely become my go-to little pick-me-up.

    4. Reading weird poetry
    Lately I’ve been gravitating toward poetry that doesn’t necessarily make sense right away. The kind that feels more like a vibe than a structured story. There’s something freeing about reading words that just exist for beauty and emotion, without needing to be “solved.”

    5. Vintage-style sunglasses
    Big, bold, slightly over-the-top sunglasses have become a part of my identity. They’re dramatic but effortless, and the right pair can make you feel like the main character even if you’re just running errands. I love anything vintage that has some real character.

    6. Making jewelry
    This has been my creative outlet lately. There’s something so grounding about sitting down with beads, chains, and wire, and turning them into something you can actually wear. It’s almost meditative, plus, it feels good to make something tangible in a world that’s mostly digital.

    It’s funny how these little obsessions come together to paint a picture of where I’m at right now, nostalgic, creative, slightly caffeinated, and finding joy in small, beautiful details.

  • Green juice in the morning is my secret mood boost.

    Green juice in the morning is my secret mood boost.

    Let’s set the record straight: I don’t drink green juice to “be good.”
    I drink green juice because it makes me feel good.

    You know those little rituals that feel like a hug from your higher self? That’s what green juice in the morning is for me. It’s not about being perfect, clean, or aesthetic, it’s about giving my mind and body something kind before the day starts demanding everything from me.

    Here are two underrated, mood-boosting benefits of starting your morning with a green juice:

    1. It helps clear the mental fog (a.k.a. the brain cobwebs)
    You know that weird groggy feeling where your brain feels like it’s still booting up? That used to be my morning norm, until I swapped my first cup of coffee for a cold, zesty green juice.

    Most green juices are packed with nutrients that actually wake up your body, like chlorophyll, vitamin C, magnesium, and potassium. These all help support circulation and give your cells a nudge to do their thing. Translation? More oxygen to your brain = clearer thoughts, more energy, and fewer mid-morning crashes.

    And no, you don’t have to be a full-on celery juice cult member. A mix of cucumber, lemon, apple, spinach, and ginger works just fine. It’s like mental clarity in liquid form.

    2. It sets the tone for the day (in a low-pressure way)
    There’s something psychological that happens when you do one kind thing for your body first thing in the morning. It sends a little message to your brain: I’m taking care of us today.

    That one decision, before emails, noise, and life stuff kicks in, has a ripple effect. You feel a little more grounded. A little more in control. A little less like you’re scrambling to keep up with the day, and a little more like you’re in the driver’s seat.

    Even if everything else goes off the rails (which, let’s be real, sometimes it will), you already gave yourself a win. And that matters.

    Green juice won’t fix everything. But it’s a vibe.
    It’s not about being the “that girl” version of wellness. It’s about finding small ways to support your mental state, without overthinking it. So next time you’re feeling a little bleh, try reaching for something green. Not because you should, but because it might just make you feel more you.