The best tips for a successful spring cleaning
The blooming of the jacarandas always signals that spring is upon us again. The term «spring cleaning» is extremely popular in Anglo-Saxon countries, where purging what is no longer needed has become a tradition, mainly to keep the good energy flowing smoothly. This blog aims to provide you with enough inspiration to do whatever you like most. That is why we want to share a couple of tips to help you have a successful spring cleaning this 2021. The first thing to keep in mind for a real renovation is that cleaning is not a marathon. Plan the schedule; if the cleaning is at home instead of the office, get the whole family involved and take the time to select what stays and what does not. To set the mood, you can play your favorite playlist. Remember that it is essential to clean by areas; otherwise, you may feel the cleaning is overwhelming. We recommend doing it during the day and opening the windows, allowing ventilation. Next, open drawers and closets and put aside what you have not used in a year; you will find that these items are unnecessary and make room for new things. Another tip to get organized is to leave the winter clothes at the end of the drawer or closet, as you will not use them for a while, and it is much better to leave the spring and summer clothes more «on-hand.» The same applies to shoes and other accessories. Also, if you take out things you don’t need, you can sell them as second-hand items on social networks, or you can donate what you no longer want and help a family in need, as many foundations are supporting this cause. When everything is in its place, it’s time for deep cleaning. Remember that it’s not just about tidying up. Try to use «eco» products, such as lemon, vinegar, salt, neutral soap, or baking soda: they do not pollute and are among the most effective for cleaning. Finally, you can move your furniture around and get a nicer look for your chosen room. Some believe that this moves the energy around and allows things to flow in the best way. We believe that the most important thing is that you take everything calmly; as we said, it is not a race, and it can take you a whole weekend if you think it is necessary. Spring cleaning should be a moment for yourself and should help you flow more positively; therefore, the space you inhabit should always be in sync with you.
Meditations, exercises and other activities you can do at home to fulfill your new year’s resolutions
If the confinement brought out the worst habits in you, then all you need to do is see your home with different eyes. Let us remember that our home should be a mini sanctuary where we can feel safe to do whatever we want. Whether it is a Friday night pizza, or an online movie date, you need to create moments that make you feel good. Now, one thing we also must do for ourselves is find the time to look for our physical and mental health. Spending more time at home may lead us to deviate a little from our routine and get into unhealthy habits. That is okay; but if your New Year’s resolution was to take care of yourself, then we think there are a couple of things you can do to improve in every way. Slow down with meditation It is a myth to think that we need to know about Buddhism or another discipline to access meditation. Did you know that you meditate while bathing? This is because you are relaxed, and your mind is detached from work and worries. We believe that the first thing you must do if you want to change your habits is to meditate on why you want to make that change. You can do this at any time: light a candle, play your favorite music and close your eyes while having a conversation with yourself.After a couple of days, you will feel in control of your actions and with enough energy to want to exercise or do some activity. Exercise at home Without you having to become a fit person, a little exercise is good enough to generate serotonin and get you in a good mood. Whatever your body type is, moving will activate your senses and you will perform better. You can find a wide range of options, from a yoga class for beginners to dance and aerobics on YouTube with various levels of intensity. Learn a YouTube choreography Many people find enough inspiration in music to carry out their activities and learning to dance is a great way to feel good and get rid of stress. You can choose a song that you like and search for its choreography on YouTube so that you can learn it day by day. Think about it, when the dance floors reopen you will surprise your friends or partner with your new steps. A schedule of activities If you feel that every day during quarantine is the same, it may be time to put some excitement into your week. Try to create a schedule of activities, where every Friday or Saturday you do something new, like taking an online course or painting. You will see that you will feel excited as time goes by. A day at the spa After working out, it is time to relax again. One way to achieve this is to also take care of your skin, with an exfoliant or some clay that you can easily find in a supermarket. If you live with your partner, another great idea is to indulge each other with a couple of massages, that way you will both be ready to carry on with your routine with enough energy.
Essential Tips when traveling to and from Mexico City
Mexico City, a massive city that feels like a tiny country in itself. With culture, art, history and national tradition, it has become the go-to place for international travelers. It’s easy to see why, first time travelers become frequent visitors and even, sometimes, become residents. It takes one trip to the city to fall in love with its momentum, its people and the rich culture reflected on every corner of CDMX. Getting to and from Mexico City takes a bit of planning and preparation, while smaller cities or towns are a simple come and go scenario. There are a few things you must consider and take into account before coming, so it’s a good thing we’ve got you covered with our essential tips for the best trip to this amazing City. If you are already here, they will also be of much use. 1. Weather Preparing or dressing for unpredictable weather can be tricky, during the summer months, Mexico City wakes up to cold weather that can quickly turn hot if the sky is clear, and cold again if it starts to pour in the evening. Summer months in Mexico City mean rainy season, so take your precautions and do invest in a good sturdy umbrella, and rainboots! To make sure your outfits cover the changes in temperature throughout the day, wear layers that you can easily play around with 2. Getting around the city and traffic Uber and the metro are a great option to move around, the city has scooters and eco bikes all over the place so you can take and leave them wherever you would like. Scooters are a fun way to get to your destination and they fit practically anywhere. If you are planning on using Uber, we recommend you get a SIM card at the airport so you don’t pay extra roaming charges. As for traffic, you will quickly learn that rush hour means stuck hour. Traffic can get heavy in the morning and evening, typically from 8:00 AM to around 10:00 AM and again at 6:00 PM to around 8:00 PM. We highly recommend you plan your day and transport around those times. 3. Currencies Make sure you get enough cash at the ATM so you don’t have to go back. Even though most establishments accept all cards, cash is still king in CDMX. You will go through it fast if you are exploring the city, its street food and markets. With $3,000 MXN you will very likely have more than enough, that is around $150 USD. 4. Food, museums and cultural visits Please do try the street food, you will find the tastiest and downright best Mexican food on food trucks. Also, do not miss the vast array of restaurants to try, Mexico City is filled with top tier national and international restaurants. In terms of museums, cultural and archeological sites, decide on what places you want to visit, making sure you have the times, costs and exact locations. You can also get to know different parts of the city by Turibus, the Mexican version of the red double decker London bus. 5. Travel Insurance and security Remember to always have international travel insurance, this is important no matter where you go. If something where to happen, Mexico has good health care, but it is not cheap, so your insurance will have you covered. The good news is that medicine is somewhat inexpensive. In terms of personal security, Mexico City is a safe city especially for foreigners, but we do advise to always be mindful of your surroundings, your wallets and bags. Also, be sure to check with our concierge at FlowSuites which areas are safer than others. We recommend you steer clear of local street taxis and opt for Uber, metro, bikes, buses and scooters. Avoid isolated and dark areas at night especially if you are travelling or wandering the city alone, nothing out of the ordinary when walking in a new city. If you are ready to visit the great Mexico City don’t forget to chose the best hotel: FlowSuites. We have three locations in three of the most amazing neighborhoods. Book your next visit here.
Las mejores pistas para correr en la Ciudad de México
En una ciudad con tanto concreto, salir a correr al aire libre es un privilegio. La Ciudad de México tiene lugares para correr que cruzan avenidas principales, bosques y monumentos nacionales que alimentarán tu motivación km tras km. Si tienes ganas de un entorno más verde y natural o si lo tuyo es ver edificios históricos, puedes encontrar diferentes opciones que te encantarán. Hay pistas que te retarán con subidas y bajadas y otras que cambian tu rutina con intersecciones que te darán la libertad de moverte sin una ruta predeterminada. Saca tus tenis de correr, protector solar y prepárate para navegar las mejores partes de la ciudad, piérdete en los distintos escenarios y corre al ritmo de los pequeños espacios perdidos dentro de esta enorme ciudad. Solo te recomendamos salir en la mañana o más en la tarde para evitar la mayor contaminación y los rayos fuertes del sol. 1. Parque Alameda El parque se encuentra en el corazón de la ciudad, parece un jardín real con caminos que se cruzan en perfecta simetría. Alameda es un favorito de los fanáticos del fitness y un destino turístico para los extranjeros que lo visitan por su belleza e historia. Es un lugar interesante para tu entrenamiento; navega sus circuitos que parecen laberintos y disfruta de los árboles que te rodean. Te recomendamos visitarla durante la semana, ya que se tiende a llenar los fines de semana. 2. Circuito Gandhi Un favorito de los locales, el parque se estrecha a lo largo de Rubén Darío y cuenta con tres secciones. Está rodeado de arboles, tanto que sentirás perdido en un bosque mientras corres por la pista que lo rodea. Al finalizar tu entrenamiento, puedes hacer ejercicios de fuerza con los aparatos de resistencia disponibles en el parque. Siempre lleno de vecinos que se conocen, este circuito se convertirá en uno de tus favoritos. 3. Bosque de Chapultepec El lugar más grande en nuestra lista, puedes escoger entre diferentes secciones del parque para correr o simplemente caminar. Jamás te vas a aburrir con el mismo circuito ya que este parque es tan dinámico que cambiará constantemente el rumbo de hora de ejercicio. Un bosque urbano en medio de una jungla de concreto es lo que en ocasiones necesitamos para salirnos de la rutina, soltar las responsabilidades y cambiar de panorama. 4. Viveros de Coyoacán Un jardín que va formando una pista en donde puedes ir a tu paso y disfrutar de los alrededores. El área que rodea los viveros es otra opción para caminar o correr y Coyoacán en general ofrece banquetas amplias y un ambiente bohemio que te hará sentir que estás en otra ciudad. Los viveros son realmente espectaculares, date la vuelta, aunque sea para dar un paseo y admirar el paisaje. 5. Centro Histórico Una opción poco convencional, pero más que entretenida para tu rutina. Cuando corres sobre las calles del Centro histórico, casi puedes sentir su historia y las aventuras de las que ha sido cómplice. Cambia tu rutina al alterar tus rutas de vez en cuando, te recomendamos salir a correr en la mañana o más noche para evitar las horas pico que llenan las banquetas. 6. Bosque de Tlalpan Un Poco más retirado que el resto de las opciones, pero con un paisaje extraordinario. Con diferentes rutas puedes alternar tu rutina y la vista cada día. Puedes escoger entre 5 pistas, pero te recomendamos la # 4, te llevará a la mejor sección del parque al atravesar el zoológico. Sólo recuerda que el bosque de Tlalpan cierra a las 5pm todos los días. 7. Bosque de Aragón Un bosque en todo el sentido de la palabra, cerca al aeropuerto, Bosque Aragón trae calma al ajetreo de la ciudad que lo rodea. Puedes escoger entre dos pistas, una que rodea el parque por completo y la segunda que es pavimentada, completamente plana y rodea la fuente en el centro del parque.