Raphael Stevens

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    in lifestyle and culture

    The unique story behind Dubai’s luxurious Palazzo Versace Hotel

    June’s – ‘The Beauty Issue’ – Download NowMonther Darwish, Managing Director at Palazzo Versace Dubai and Founder of Palazzo Hospitality discusses the Neoclassic references that drive clients to return.What do the first 30 minutes of your day look like, your morning routine?I don’t have an exact morning routine as each day is so different. On a typical day, however, I usually wake up to reading the property’s morning reports before having a quick catch-up with the management team.The Versace DNA is felt throughout the hotel – how long did this process take to build?Palazzo Versace Dubai is a detailed property that thoroughly embodies the brand’s DNA. Each corner of the hotel reflects the true essence of the Versace brand, from the dining venues that are tributes to Versace’s signature works, to the property’s interiors adorned with Versace fashion sketches and emblematic designs, the property is a testament to the brand’s storied heritage. The hotel group’s utmost priority was that the property reflects the Versace lifestyle which is bold, one-of-a-kind, and luxurious. ENSHAA is the development firm for the hotel, and the board’s goal was to have guests feeling like they’ve landed on a fashion runway straight out of Milan. Luxury was to be integrated in every part of the experience, be it while lounging by the pool or while dining at the restaurants. Every aspect of the hotel was created with minute attention to detail, from the architecture and interior design to the overall guest experience. For the property to be experienced in the best way possible, a top-notch team of hospitality experts was required to ensure guests have an unforgettable stay.Everything from to the china and furnishings is printed, how do you ensure everything stays on brand on a daily basis?Each team member is a guardian of the brand, from housekeeping to marketing or front office, Palazzo Versace Dubai is helmed by a team of experts. All team members are briefed on the many brand standards that we follow, reinforced by detailed training and team development to ensure that these parameters are met and respected at all times.Do you have a high client retention rate and do you see a trend in clients visiting from specific corners of the globe?Despite the pandemic, we are proud to say that our returning guest rate has only grown over time. Over the past few years, we have managed to build a great community of guests who love Dubai and love staying at Palazzo Versace thanks to the tailor-made experience, attention to detail and top-notch service that we pride ourselves in. There are a plethora of reasons why people return to Palazzo Versace Dubai, the warmth of the team, the quality of service and the experience overall is unmatched.What key aspects make the Palazzo Versace a truly unique experience?Although Dubai is one of the most diverse cities in the world in terms of hotel offerings and tourism experiences, Palazzo Versace Dubai remains, unlike any other property. The hotel’s strong identity, its opulence, luxury offering, and super adaptable team provide guests with a lifetime of memories. In Dubai, the property remains unique thanks to its strong ties with the fashion brand, providing a location that leaves guests feeling like they’ve flown to Milan for the latest fashion week. The food, the amenities and everything immerse guests in an unparalleled bubble of the finest luxury.How has the hotel industry had to adapt over the last year and what changes have you implemented?Needless to say, the hospitality industry was among the hardest hit by the pandemic. While February 2020 announced a promising year, March 2020 hit us like a hard wake-up call to reality. It was challenging to keep our doors open with only 5 per cent occupancy. Yet during this downtime, as a team, we worked together to improve sanitation protocols at all levels and to communicate continuously to guests through social platforms. We never let our guests down and ensured they stayed informed on how we were preparing to welcome them back when the time permitted. Since we worked overtime to remain on top, we experienced an amazing turnaround once restrictions were lifted – occupancy was at an all-time high and the summer months were highlighted by a rise in local travel and numerous staycation offerings that worked better than ever.What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received?The best piece of business advice I’ve ever received is to turn challenges into opportunities. This advice has become even more relevant in light of the pandemic, a time when hoteliers have been forced to adapt and transition in the safest ways possible. Maintaining a hotel business in times like these, faced with industry-wide restrictions, was very difficult. However, as a team we managed to turn these challenges into business opportunities, allowing us to reach targets, surpass goals and maintain our budgets.What advice would you give to your younger self?I’d tell myself to never let a day pass without having achievement. Achievements can change depending on the day – on a bad day, an achievement could be just getting out of bed, other days it’s rewarding a hard-working member of the team or achieving a personal goal. Every day we should strive for something to look forward to.Tell us about the spa and the signature treatments you offer?The SPA at Palazzo Versace Dubai offers all kinds of body and face treatments complemented by luxury wellness brands. One of our newest additions to The SPA includes the Amber Essence massage, which happens to be one of my personal favourites. The treatment is a super relaxing massage using an Amber-scented candle by Moroccan brand marocMaroc that hydrates and comforts the skin instantaneously.This is ‘The Beauty Issue’ – what does beauty mean to you?Beauty to me is all about self-care and balance. We feel the most beautiful when we take care of ourselves, be it internally or externally. Balance is also key, the beauty of life comes by knowing how to keep ourselves balanced, to best serve ourselves and our community.

    June’s – ‘The Beauty Issue’ – Download Now
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    Two Dubai restaurants have collaborated creating a culinary affair like no other

    If choosing between Asian and Italian cuisine is a common dilemma frequenting your life, look no further than the culinary fusion of Chef Carlos De Garza of 3Fils and Chef Nicholas Reina of Bella.The chefs have created a cooking collaboration like no other, where they have ingeniously combined elements from both cuisines to bring a unique 12-course tasting menu to Dubai, for a limited time only.Exploring the links between Asian and Italian gastronomy, with common denominators that stretch far beyond noodles, the chefs have carefully curated the 3Fils x Bella menu with a nod to their signature dishes.The 12-course tasting menu begins with a shitake mushroom croissant served with seaweed burnt cream. This will be followed by Uni topped with whipped burrata and a Shio Kombo Jelly, then an Otoro pizza which is topped with a chilli emulsion and koji.The main attraction begins with guests indulging on Tagliolini with a Japanese twist, followed by 72-hour braised short ribs with kalbi marinade with pickled apple and XO sauce.To finish, a selection of desserts begins with Miso crepes with Amarenti cherries dusted with Miso powder, followed by a Timut frozen yoghurt drizzled with black cardamon oil and to end the menu, a Coffee Sorpresa.Experience the 3FILS x Bella collaboration at 3FILS on 21st and 22nd June and at Bella on 28th and 29th June, priced at Dhs395 per person.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Supplied More

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    This emirate has ranked as one of the least stressful cities in the world

    One emirate has been named as one of the least stressful cities in the world according to VAAY’s latest survey. Comparing 100 major global cities over 15 factors, the survey is an attempt to show which cities are leading the way, in terms of improving the well-being of their citizens.Abu Dhabi is one of the least stressful cities for its citizens, according to this latest survey.Abu Dhabi was ranked 28th on the list of 100 countries, with a total score of 83.6/100, making it one of the least stressful cities to live in throughout the world.In terms of safety and security, Abu Dhabi was ranked the 4th least stressful. Sitting closely behind Doha, Reykjavik and Singapore, Abu Dhabi received a score of 96.7, deeming the emirate incredibly safe and secure. This score is based on public opinion of the perceived risk of being a victim of a crime and local media coverage of conflicts.This follows on from the research conducted by crowd-sourcing website Numbeo, earlier this year, out of 431 cities which were included in the data, the UAE’s capital had the lowest crime index and the quality of life score was 88.46 per cent, making Abu Dhabi the safest city in the world for the fifth year in a row.
    #AbuDhabi is the world’s safest city for the fifth consecutive year in Numbeo’s Quality of Life index. Topping 431 cities is a testament to the security and stability Abu Dhabi enjoys, confirmed Major General Staff Pilot Faris Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police. pic.twitter.com/1vO9w3rikp
    — مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) January 24, 2021However, in terms of air pollution, Abu Dhabi was found to have the 11th my stressful of the 100 countries listed, with a score of 53.8, based on data from annual average air quality indexes.Similarly, in terms of minority equality, Abu Dhabi scored 25.8/100, making it the 7th most stressful of the 100 countries. Expressed as a score this data is based on the degree to which minorities have equal opportunities in the political, religious and legal areas.One other major GCC city, Doha, Qatar, earned first place in terms of safety and security scoring the highest possible 100/100.Overall, Rekjavik in Iceland was deemed the least stressful city, with most of its scores being so positive it ranked in the top 10 in multiple categories including safety and security, weather and noise pollution, which confirmed the city as the least stressful of those measured.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramFeature Image: Unsplash More

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    The 9 Most Common Email Mistakes—And How to Recover When You’ve Made One

    When it comes to workplace catastrophes, a horrible email mistake sent to the big boss might trump them all. A spelling error, misused word, or God forbid an email sent to the wrong person can make you look unprofessional, and if it’s bad enough, can even put your job in jeopardy.
    Sending an email that was supposed to go to a friend to a superior—or worse, your whole office after accidentally clicking “reply all”—can leave you frantically looking up the cheapest tickets to another country, sifting through name ideas to give yourself for your new identity.
    Whether you’re emailing back and forth with a potential employer or with the boss you’ve known for years, a certain degree of etiquette is required. Here are the most common professional email mistakes to look out for before you make the mistake yourself—and how to mend the mistakes you do make. (You’re not the first person to do it and certainly won’t be the last.)

    1. Sending a misdirected email
    Depending on the content, a misdirected email can range from slightly embarrassing to job-ending.
    As hard as it is to remain calm and panic-free, stay calm and gauge the situation. Is it something slightly embarrassing, like talking about happy hour plans to someone who wasn’t on the invite list, or is it a worst-case scenario, like sending an email about your boss to your entire office?
    Gauge the situation and develop a plan of action for damage control. As hard as it can be to not go and immediately apologize to everyone who got the email, hold off. Things get lost in people’s inboxes all the time (and things can take a while for people to open) so don’t draw more attention to it than necessary.
    However, you should immediately apologize if you sent it to a boss. Rather than sending out a mass apology email, seek out your boss and give them an in-person apology. Let them know that the email wasn’t intended for them and you’ll be more careful in the future. Once you do this, assess if more damage control needs to be done. If your boss accepts your apology, move on and try not to dwell on it—everyone makes mistakes, and you can’t undo it no matter how much you want to. (But it’s a good rule of thumb to never send emails bashing anyone on your team, no matter who it is really intended for.) If the email you sent contained confidential info for someone who wasn’t meant to see it, make sure to alert your HR immediately.

    2. Not having a clear, concise subject line
    While you might be in the habit of sending emails with no subject line or informal ones to the coworkers you’re friends with, make sure that when you’re sending an important email that the subject line gives them a look into the contents — if it’s about an invoice, make the subject line “June Invoice”; if it’s about a project, title it with the name of the project and a short explanation of the update.
    Having a clear subject line is not only more professional, but it makes the receiver of your email more likely to pay attention to it.

    3. Being too informal
    Obviously, some offices are more formal than others. If you’re starting a new job, start off on the formal side and adjust accordingly based on how people are emailing you. Once you get a feel of how people communicate with each other, try to fit the mold — nobody wants super formal emails in a casual setting or vice versa.

    4. Using your personal email address
    Once you get your work email address, make sure to stick exclusively to that. When you’re going back and forth with your boss or a PR contact, you don’t want to accidentally send it from [email protected]

    5. Not including a signature block
    Signing your emails with just your name isn’t technically wrong, but having a professional signature with your first and last name, contact info, job position, and if possible, your company’s logo is more professional and will make it easier for people to seek you out if they need to.

    6. Going overboard with the exclamation points
    This is a huge problem for females and is something we discuss frequently in our office. Women can be paranoid that not ending a sentence with an exclamation point can sound off as rude or critical (guilty), but that isn’t the case — and using too many exclamation points can have the reverse effect and make you come off as unprofessional.

    7. Forgetting to proofread
    Before you hit send on any work-related email, reread the contents and triple check who you’re sending it to and whether or not you hit “reply all.” Even when you’re in a rush, try to give it a quick scan to avoid any catastrophes or embarrassing moments.

    8. Frequent Grammar Mistakes
    In work emails, it’s common to reuse the same words and sayings over and over. Make sure you don’t fall victim to these common errors.

    Follow-up vs. follow up
    I have sat and debated this countless times before sending an email to someone I just interviewed with, convinced that if I chose the wrong one, I’d blow my shot at the job. While that almost definitely isn’t the case, this is a good one to know.
    Follow-up is a noun and adjective. Hyphenate when used before a noun.
    I sent her a follow-up email.
    Follow up is a verb.
    I contacted the manager to see if I could follow up.

    So…
    Email subject: Follow-up to interview
    Hi XXX,
    It was great chatting with you yesterday. I just wanted to follow up…

    9. Relying on these words and phrases
    There are certain words that are fine in real life but come off as harsh or unprofessional when they’re used via email. Try to avoid using these phrases.

    “Sorry to bother you” — in a work-related scenario, you aren’t bothering them! It’s your job to communicate with your superiors and co-workers, so this isn’t necessary.
    “Let’s touch base” — this is overused in corporate settings. Try to swap out for something else, especially if you’re looking for your boss to pencil you into their busy schedule.
    “I think” — if you know something, don’t assert yourself less by stating it with “I think” before it. Take away the safety net and continue your sentence without this.
    “Hey” — once you’ve honed in on your office culture, it’s totally fine to use this in casual emails (I can’t even count how many times I use it a day in our office). But until then, don’t begin your email with “hey ___” and address them more formally.

    A Copy Editor’s Nightmare: The 15 Most Common Writing Mistakes I See More

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    Sheikha Latifa shares a sweet Father’s Day message to Sheikh Mohammed

    As today, June 21, marks Father’s Day in the UAE, Her Highness Sheikha Latifa Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, shared a sweet public message to her father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.Sheikha Latifa shared a series of images on her Instagram, some of which included from when she was just a baby with her father.Her Highness also showcased the doting grandfather Sheikh Mohammed is sharing two images of the Ruler of Dubai with her children – Mohammed bin Faisal Al Qassimi and Shaika bint Faisal Al Qassimi.Sheikha Latifa captioned the series of swipe-right images saying, “And that I brag about you, that you are my father. Who will be to blame when I brag? #FathersDay @hhshkmohd Happiest Father’s Day Dad, I love you @hhshkmohd my #1 always #fathersday.”Sheikh Mohammed is known for being a family, regularly spending time with his grandchildren,Earlier this year, Sheikha Latifa shared a series of sweet photos of her father with her three-year-old son, Mohammed.The first featured the young Mohammed bin Faisal giving his grandfather a small red flower. The second photo then showed Sheikh Mohammed kissing his grandson on the head with the flower in his right hand.Also marking Father’s Day, Dubai’s Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum shared an inspiring video on his stories of Sheikh Mohammed and him with snippets from the video shown below for a Father’s Day wish.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Instagram @latifamrm1 More

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    Kylie Jenner opens up about Jordyn Woods for the first time in two years

    Kylie Jenner has opened up about her former best friend Jordyn Woods for the first time in two years.During part two of the Keeping Up With the Kardashians: The Final Curtain reunion special, Jenner, alongside her sister Khloe Kardashian, discussed Woods and the end of their friendship following the revelation Woods had kissed Kardashian’s partner and father of her child, Tristan Thompson.Looking to the future, the pair faced questioning from the show’s host, Andy Cohen, on Sunday where both sisters opened up about their public falling out with Jordyn Woods.Addressing the cheating scandal which drove a wedge between the Kardashian-Jenner family and Woods, Jenner admitted that the situation was especially difficult to handle due to her close relationships with both parties.The founder of Kylie Cosmetics commented on the division saying, “When we were friends, we never thought that we wouldn’t be friends, it was kind of an overnight thing. When she did something to my family, it felt like she did something to me.”In terms of Kardashian’s stance on Woods, who was involved in one of Thompson’s cheating scandals, she hasn’t spoken to Jenner’s friend since the feud, but said, “I think she’s doing really well in her personal life.”Kardashian went further on the matter, suggesting there was a “huge misconception” regarding suggestions she had forgiven Tristan but not Jordyn. “I don’t have any grudge against Jordyn,” she said. “I think people make mistakes, people live and they learn.”She continued, “I have to forgive these people for me, and it’s up to them to forgive themselves and be accountable and learn and hopefully don’t repeat these same cycles.”The Good American founder also opened up about telling her sister that she wouldn’t have a problem with the makeup mogul trying to rekindle her friendship with Woods if she wished.Putting her family first, Khloe said, “My sisters matter way more to me than any grudge or issue that I would have with another individual. And, if I can allow Tristan back into my life, I need to allow the same forgiveness and acceptance of other people.”– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Kris Jenner Instagram, Feature Image: Kylie Jenner/Kylie Cosmetics Instagram More

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    Gigi Hadid praises ‘baba’ Zayn Malik sharing unseen photo of baby Khai

    Since they welcomed their first child together in September 2020, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik have been in a world of parental bliss.Opting to keep their daughter away from the limelight, the couple have chosen to share small tidbits of the little one’s life when suits them, including the revealing of her name, Khai, earlier this year.Of course, to mark Father’s Day, Hadid gave one such insight into their lives as parents, sharing an unseen photo of “baba” Malik and baby Khai.In a sweet photo shared to Instagram, Malik is seen holding his baby girl up to a lit-up globe, essentially showing his daughter the world.“Our Khai is so lucky to have a baba who loves her so much & does anything to see her smile!!” the 25-year-old said. “[Zayn] Happy first Father’s Day. I’m so grateful for all the lil [sic] bits of her that are you.“We love you so much.”Hadid also shared another photo to mark Father’s Day over her own “baba”, Mohamed Hadid. The sweet snap of the property tycoon in New York City – where the supermodel and Malik have a home – pushing a stroller presumed to have baby Khai in it.“Happy Fathers Day my daddio @mohamedhadid I love you so much and have loved watching you be the sweetest Jido to Khai,” Hadid said.How Gigi and Zayn are raising their daughterHadid recently opened up in an interview to i-D magazine discussing how she intends to help her daughter embrace her multiethnic heritage, something she’s previously felt difficulty standing up for at times when it comes to her Arab roots.Both she and Malik are from multicultural backgrounds, with Hadid having Palestinian and Dutch heritage, while Malik is British Pakistani, and she admitted it’s something they talk about a lot as partners as it’s “something that we first experienced ourselves”.Noting how both she and Malik are both the “first generation of those mixed races, and then that comes with that first generational experience”, she admitted she has previously felt like she was “too white” to embrace her Arab heritage.“In certain situations, I feel – or I’m made to feel – that I’m too white to stand up for part of my Arab heritage,” Hadid said. “You go through life trying to figure out where you fit in racially.”When it comes to her daughter, Hadid hopes she’ll feel empowered to be a “bridge” for her multicultural background.She added, “I think that Khai will grow up feeling out the way that she can or wants to be a bridge for her different ethnicities.”The Palestinian-Dutch model also noted she’s keen to have conversations with her daughter to see “where she comes from” in her thoughts and ideas about embracing her heritage.The meaning of baby Khai’s nameEnsuring she has a piece of heritage with her all the time, Hadid’s daughter’s name pays tribute to her Arab heritage.Not only is Khai a beautiful name, but there’s also a truly special meaning behind the moniker.Khai means “crowned”, “the chosen one” or “strong” in some Arabic terms. The name was also chosen as it pays tribute to her late grandmother, Khairia, on her father Mohamed Hadid’s side of the family, according to TMZ.Hadid’s father has previously claimed his late mother descended from royalty. “Her great grandfather was the Prince of Nazareth – King of Galilee in the 18th century Daher Al-Omer The Ruler,” he previously said.– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and InstagramImages: Gigi Hadid Instagram More

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    in health and weelbeing

    15 Sunday Rituals to Set You Up for an Amazing Week

    The most unrelatable thing about me: Sundays are my favorite day of the weekend. I know that’s almost as annoying as if I said I love running or salad is my favorite food (both of which are untrue, BTW), but Sundays are no longer a sad ending to the weekend or a scary start to the weekdays (Sunday Scaries are real!). Instead, Sundays are the make-or-break day that I use to set up my entire week for happiness and success. Get rid of your Sunday Scaries and make the most of the day off with these 15 rituals that will set you up for a successful week:

    1. Meal prep
    The most basic of Sunday rituals, meal prepping is a crucial way to ensure your week is set up for success and that you have easy, healthy meals, even on your busiest days. The key is to do the kind of meal prepping that works best for you. Maybe planning out meals and grocery shopping is enough or maybe you want to prepare some basic dishes to reuse during the week, like roasted veggies or healthy breakfast muffins. You can also prepare ingredients instead of meals to make cooking easier throughout the week: boil eggs, slice lemon wedges, or wash and chop veggies.

    2. Pick a theme for the week
    We’re focused on to-do lists and goals, but what about setting an intention or a theme to focus on for the entire week? We can replace negative thoughts with phrases that are not only better for us but can also help us be more confident or feel less stressed, and we can set intentions for each week that will help us live our best lives. Every Sunday, pick an affirmation or “theme” (like staying present, moving more often, or having more fun) and write it every day in your planner so you don’t forget it. Then, live your entire week around this affirmation or theme.

    3. Go extra on self-care
    A little self-care Sunday is nothing new, but going all out on skincare, haircare, and overall TLC will not only help you feel relaxed and pampered going into the week, but you’ll also look and feel your best. First, set the mood: dim the lights, light candles, diffuse essential oils, turn on relaxing music, and put on a cozy robe. Stock up on all the luxurious products you love, whether it’s a CBD bath bomb or a high-quality hair mask, and get ready for a full day of pampering. Take a bath (or have a luxurious shower), indulge in dry brushing or exfoliating, give yourself a facial massage for relaxation and de-puffing, and finish off with a manicure or pedicure in your favorite color. 

    4. Make to-do lists (based on life goals)
    Making a to-do list is no revolutionary ritual, but are you making to-do lists with long-term goals in mind? Before making your weekly to-do list, ask yourself where you want to be in 5-10 years. Everything on your to-do list should help you take step toward achieving these goals. For example, strategize business growth, spend 30 minutes taking an online class, or work out if your goal is to be more active. In other words, to-do lists of even the simplest tasks should have a long-term perspective.
    Making your to-do list with goals in mind will show you where you should be spending time and where you can be spending less time. Of course, you’ll always have to do the mundane house chores or tedious tasks, but figure out where you can outsource these items and prioritize what will get you closer to your goals so you make sure to get it done (yes, that means doing that workout or brainstorm meeting you’ve been putting off). 

    5. Put on your favorite outfit
    The littlest rituals or habits can make the biggest difference in boosting your mood and setting the tone for the rest of the week. To beat the blues that come with the end of the weekend, save your very favorite OOTDs for Sundays. Whether that means the fancy loungewear that feels luxurious AF or the trendy sundress that makes you feel like a style star, put on the outfit that makes you feel your best from head to toe and get ready to take on the week ahead. 

    6. Get your inbox to zero
    If your Monday mornings feel like a whirlwind starting the second you wake up, set your week up for success by getting ahead. While Sundays should feel like Sundays (rather than an extension of the workweek), spending just 10-20 minutes getting some work done will help you start your week already feeling ahead. If emails are a source of stress, tackle your inbox, or if scheduling feels like a tedious task on Monday mornings, plan out your meetings and deadlines the day before. Just think about how good your Monday morning will feel when your inbox is already at zero and your calendar is planned out! 

     
    7. Read
    I’m the queen of excuses when it comes to reading more often. “I’m too tired,” “I don’t have any new books,” and “How am I expected to do anything else in my free time when all six seasons of Sex and the City are on Hulu!?” are excuses I use on a regular basis. But reading is not only enjoyable, it’s also good for you. Whether it’s winding down before bed on Sunday night, spending some time in the afternoon, or the ritual you look forward to when starting your day, fit in some more time to read. As for what to read? Start with books that will boost your mood or the most anticipated books of the season. 

    8. Tidy up your home
    Dishes in the sink or laundry piled on the chair (we all have that one chair), can prevent you from feeling fully relaxed while going to bed at night or could make you more stressed to start the next day. Clutter in your space can translate into clutter in your mind, so dedicate a short amount of time on your Sunday to run the dishwasher, wipe off kitchen counters, and put away laundry that has piled up in the bedroom. A less cluttered bedroom will help you sleep at night and a clean kitchen will make you happier the next morning. 

    9. Check your bank account and make weekly goals
    Self-care doesn’t always mean bubble baths or face masks. Sometimes, self-care means being an independent adult and doing what you can to feel in control of your finances. While having a detailed financial plan and setting goals can help you reduce money-related stress and achieve what you want in life, feeling in control of your finances doesn’t always require a lot of time and energy. At the beginning of every week, take a minute to glance over your bank account and credit card statements. Getting in the habit of frequently checking can help identify fraud early on and will also give you a good idea of where you’re spending and where you can be saving.

    10. Schedule workouts
    You schedule meetings, appointments, and plans in advance, so why not schedule your workouts too? Not only will having a 10 a.m. jog or a 5 p.m. workout class on your calendar hold you accountable to make the workouts happen, but when you prioritize you-time just as much as you prioritize a work meeting or dinner with a friend, you’re making a statement that self-care is just as important as every other aspect of your life (because it should be). Treat your scheduled workouts like any other item on your calendar: Show up on time, be prepared, and don’t cancel last minute.

    11. Detox your desk space
    For the most productive, positive start to your week, your workspace should be clean and organized (remember: clutter in your space can translate into clutter in your mind!). A messy workspace can add to the feelings of stress, overwhelm, and anxiety that comes with the start of a busy week, so minimize as much clutter as possible on Sunday. Clean out your desk drawers, organize papers or mail, and even wipe down your computer. If you don’t have a workspace, you’ll get the same benefits from detoxing your desktop (AKA deleting that folder of Christmas decor inspo that’s been sitting there since December), organizing contacts, or installing any updates (to avoid that annoying notification throughout the week).

    12. Get outside
    No Sunday Scaries here: Being in the great outdoors can boost your mood and help ease stress to feel happier and more relaxed. Even just 20 minutes sitting in a park or going on a walk can elevate your mood and help foster important skills that contribute to happiness, like confidence, kindness, and the feeling of awe. For an instant mood boost, get outside on your Sunday: Sip a morning coffee on your balcony or porch, go on a bike ride, or even sit by a window to reap some of the benefits. If you have free time, consider spending it at your local park or beach instead of on your couch, and if you’re planning to work out, take it outdoors for an instant mood booster that will make you feel good for the rest of the week.
     

    13. Pick out your outfits
    Decision fatigue is real, people! We make a lot of decisions every single day, even just within the first few minutes of waking up: whether or not to hit snooze, when to turn on the coffee pot, and what to wear (which is approximately 100 different decisions). The little decisions add up to feel so overwhelming that we become unable to make even the most basic decisions. To limit and avoid the mental exhaustion and decision fatigue many of us experience regularly, take away as many little decisions as possible before your week even starts. Picking out a week’s worth of outfits on Sunday means that your energy can go to more important things during the week, like important work projects (or, you know, what to order for lunch). 

    14. Get sexy
    No, getting sexy is not just for Saturday night. Whether it’s a little ménage-à-Moi, having a check-in with your partner about what you want to try more of this week, or just making a list of the things that brought you pleasure today (a silk nightgown, a cup of coffee, sleeping in, etc.), take some time to tap into your sensual side. Bonus: Checking yourself out in the mirror and putting on a playlist that gets you going will set up the rest of your week for more confidence, pleasure, and enjoyment, both in and out of the bedroom. 

    15. Take time to do nothing
    Sundays often come with so many “shoulds.” “I should be grocery shopping,” “I should be doing laundry,” or “I should be getting ahead with work.” While many of the rituals listed in this roundup are “shoulds” that will help you have the best week ever, there’s also another important ritual you need to set you up for a better week: doing nothing. Instead of waking up to rush from one thing to the next, make your coffee, turn on your music, and just be. More