Feel like you're all out of balance? Take time out with these five rituals that will keep you sane, happy and healthy.

1. Keep an eye on your health
From age 20 the Ministry of Health recommends that you have a cervical smear every year until you get the thumbs up to have a check every three years. I know it’s not the most pleasant thing in the world, but it is well worth it. The purpose of a cervical smear is to check for any abnormal cells (which may be or may not be a sign of cervical cancer or reproductive disease), so if you get these checks done on a regular basis your doctor or nurse can catch any abnormalities early and they may be able to treat them before it becomes serious.

Give yourself a breast exam (to find out how see nzbcf.org.nz) once a month at the same time each month to check for anything unusual like a lump, pain, or an in-turned nipple. If you do find anything out of the ordinary see your doctor and they will be able to help you out.

2. Cook
Cook for others and you’ll be much more likely to make an effort to make something delicious and nutritious because you want to impress them. Invite friends and family around for dinner, cook for your flatmates or your partner.  This way you’re making something healthy and you’re spending time with people you care about, which is great for your health and your wellbeing.

3. Learn to speak like a pro
Join a club like Toastmasters or a night class on speech making at your local school. Belonging to a club like Toastmasters or joining a speech craft course will improve your oral and written communication skills as well as boosting your confidence. It will also help you meet like-minded people and improve your presentation and leadership skills, plus it’ll enhance your ability to think on your feet.

4. Learn something new
Learning new things boosts your brain power. When you learn a new skill or piece of knowledge the brain makes more connections between neurons, which keeps your brain active. Keeping the brain active can help reduce your risk of degenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease in later years. Try learning a new language – it’s challenging, and it will come in handy for when you go on your big OE.

5. Learn to say no
So you’re rushed off your feet and your stress levels are peaking – then someone asks you to help them out. You could be tired to the bone, scrabbling to get your own stuff done  and wondering when you’ll have time to sleep, but somehow you still find it difficult to say no to taking on their load as well. For the sake of your health and sanity you need to make ‘no’ your new BFF. Don’t feel guilty about saying it, your time is precious and you need time out for yourself to unwind and relax. If you really feel uncomfortable saying no, you could say “I feel flattered, but I’m tied up at the moment”. If you keep on saying yes, people will start to rely on you, which is just plain unfair.

Krystle Chester