Beauty

Team Buro Answers: 2019 resolutions and must-have apps that are going to help

02.01.2019

By Rachel Au

Team Buro Answers: 2019 resolutions and must-have apps that are going to help

Who else here can’t believe it’s already 2019? A fresh new year calls for a fresh new beginning; and that could apply to anything, including the little aspects of your life which are your lifestyle habits. As we continue to strive to be the best version of ourselves, it’s normal to (sometimes) keep making the same New Year’s resolutions year after year—because sometimes, it’s hard to keep them. Our best advice: Start with just one resolution. And so, in that spirit, here’s what Team Buro is going to change about our lifestyle for 2019, and which gadget or app is going to help with our journey. Maybe there’s something below that applies to you too. To that, we say, “Good luck to us both!”.

 

TERRY SAW, editor-in-chief

the mindful kind podcast

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?“Loving what I do also means my mind tends to keep going at a pace at which my body isn’t necessarily able to keep up. This year, I’d like to practice a little more self-love so I am taking care of myself (physically and mentally) whilst taking care of things.”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? “It’ll take some practice but a good start will be to cultivate a little mindfulness in my day-to-day routine—I find that helps ground myself in the ‘now’ and stops my mind from running off into planning mode for something that might or might not happen! I plan to start my mornings by listening to a Mindfulness podcast on my drive to work to help set the tone for the rest of the day. The Mindful Kind by Rachael Kable is a great starting point if you’re new to the practice—it is packed with short lessons, blogs, podcasts links that can help you get started. I probably would also try to squeeze in a little evening/night walk (and leave my phone at home) to really reconnect with nature, engaging in the sights and sounds and ultimately give the thinking mind a break after a long day.”

 

GWEN ONG, deputy editor

30 day fitness workout app

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“It’s a given that a new year means a new you, so this 2019, I’m working towards a healthier and stronger new me. I’ve been slacking off for the last few months and I’m really feeling it in my body, e.g. sluggish circulation, bigger bottom and rounder tummy! I can’t keep denying the fact that ageing is happening faster than lightning. My pledge for 2019 is to get off my butt more and work up a good sweat. For starters, I plan to get back into running—at least 3x5km a week! I’ve slowed down quite considerably after I pulled my popliteus muscle during my 10km run last year at the KL Marathon so I’m keen to hit the ground running once again.”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“My Samsung GalaxyWatch is going to be my trusty companion in my fitness journey. It can track up to 39 different activities, which means indoor exercises and outdoor sports would also be something I’ll look into. Boxing and HIIT are two workouts that I enjoy. For days that the weather is not favourable or work demands my attention, I will be turning to the 30 Day Workout app for some challenges that I can do at home to focus on my problem areas. That’s my game plan for now—check back again in three months to see if I’ve made any progress. Haha!”

 

JOAN KONG, fashion editor

daily water app

 

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“I’d like to say that I’ve practised a fairly healthy lifestyle last year—I had seven to eight hours of sleep every day, and I try to head to the gym for an average of three times a week. But one (or two) thing I’d like to change in 2019 is definitely my drinking habit (it’s not what you think). I’m a sucker for sodas—Coca-Cola is my go-to beverage, whether it’s during a meal, on flights, or at the movies. But yes, I’ve read enough “Coke is bad for your health” articles to know better. So this year, I would like to cut down on fizzy drinks and more importantly, consume more water. I tend to “forget” to hydrate especially when I’m out and about, and it’s definitely something I’d like to improve on this year.”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“I’ve downloaded the Daily Water app on my phone. Dubbed the ‘drink reminder’, it also tracks the amount of water I drink following the recommended goal. I’m also making the conscious effort to bring a big bottle of water wherever I go with a goal to finish it by the end of the day. Here’s to feeling more energised throughout the day and having a better skin complexion!”

 

WEI YEEN LOH, senior fashion & beauty writer

pocket expense 6 app

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“Looking back at 2018, I realised that I haven’t been wise about my expenditure (a quick glance at my savings account reaffirmed my theory). From spending excessively on indulgent things (desserts, coffee, and the like) to splurging on more than a few overseas trips without saving sufficiently beforehand, I have an inkling on what I could do better for my pockets come 2019. For starters, scoring a pour-over coffee filter to brew my own cuppa joe every morning, and also investing my money where I can glean returns may help. Baby steps, but we’ll get there!”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“Before I can figure out where to invest my money in, a personal finance app like Pocket Expense 6 may be able to help me track my expenditure easily. I have an unsavoury habit of paying bills way past the due date, so this app is a lifesaver as it does everything in one, from categorising my transactions to tracking all my bills. For me, it helps to see where my money goes at the end of every week, just so I don’t get trigger happy with swiping my credit card (even if it means I have to cut down on my dessert intake though my waistline won’t mind just one bit).”

 

STEPHANIE BOEY, fashion writer

audible app

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“Essentially, spending less time on my phone with social media. The recent revelation of our Screen Time reports has left me quite conscious of my digital habits.”

 

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“With lots of discipline and self-control, haha! Jokes aside, I’m hoping to tick off more books on my reading list. I have been recommended Audible which is a digital library of audiobooks ranging from history, science and tech to fiction and poetry. I’ve gotten a head-start by signing up for an account but have yet to pick out a title. I’m currently spoilt for choice with their wide range of over 425,000 titles. The first book is free!”

 

RACHEL AU, lifestyle editor

nekoze posture app

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“First, a little backstory: I went for a yoga class and was told I might have scoliosis from the way my body looked as I was going through the poses. Went for a trial session of Gyrokinesis and Gyrotonic at Beyond Movement KL and was basically told the same. The two sessions (personally recommend them for anyone wanting to fix their posture) and this sudden reveal have led me to be very aware of my (bad) posture. I slouch when I’m at my desk, at the dinner table, and even while driving sometimes. While getting a professional diagnosis is on my to-do list, I can start first with slouching less.”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“We all generally spend a considerable chunk of each day at the office, in front of a laptop so that’s the first place I’m going to try and break this habit. I’ve downloaded an app called Nekoze on my new MacBook Air (yes, only for Mac laptops, unfortunately). It’s a very simple app that uses an adorable Japanese cat with hawk-like eyes (or rather the FaceTime HD camera) to spot if you’re slouching. If you are, it will appear and “meow” sharply at you from the top of your screen. There are eight expressions in total! Slouch and you might collect them all! Or don’t—that’s not the point.”

 

SU FEN TAN, senior writer

sleep better app

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“I’ve been putting this off for way too long, but I definitely want to practise healthier sleep habits in 2019, i.e. to sleep and wake up earlier! Apparently, the deepest and most regenerative sleep period is from 10pm to 2am. I get about six hours sleep on most nights—which isn’t too bad—but it usually occurs after the said recovery window. Maybe that’s why I’m perpetually tired.”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“Generally, by breaking the habit of bringing my laptop to bed—so no work or Netflix (it’s not all work and no play) right before bedtime. The plan is to read more books instead. That worked for about a week this year… I just got to work on self-discipline and while I’m at it, and maybe download an app (looking at Sleep Better by Runtastic that tracks sleep cycles and its efficiency) or bring out my old Mi Band to help track my sleep.”

 

YI SUEN CHONG, art director

headspace app

What’s one thing you would change about your lifestyle for 2019?

“I’d like to meditate more! I’m constantly on the go these days and things can get stressful both at work and at the gym. Finding the time to wind down and de-stress will be my top priority for 2019, and hopefully, it will help me relax before bedtime and ultimately make me sleep early.”

How will you do it and which app/gadget is going to help? 

“I’m actually going to try two apps for this. One of them is Headspace. There have been a lot of good reviews so I’ll give it a try. I’m not one to stick to routines for long but hopefully, this app will help me meditate more. The other is the Breathe app on the Apple Watch. Since it’s literally on my wrist and I need not do much, I should really be using this app more often. Deep breathing exercises really calm me down and help regain my focus.”

 

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