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The term “wellness” has been trending on social media for quite some time. Some people many think wellness is all about pampering yourself, taking a bubble bath and going to a 7AM pilates class. But the idea of wellness is much greater and much deeper than those things (nothing wrong with taking a bubble bath though!) Here are 8 simple yet powerful wellness practices that you can start implementing into your life right now!
1. Getting 8+ Hours of Sleep Every Night
Sleeping is how your body recharges but more importantly, it’s the way your body heals. Some major benefits of getting good sleep include better heart health, weight management, stronger immune system, and boosts in memory and learning.
If you sleep less than 5 hours a night, instead of trying to force yourself to suddenly sleep 8 hours, gradually go to bed a little earlier every night. That way, your body will adjust to your earlier bedtime more easily. Trust me, once you start prioritizing sleep and begin to experience the benefits, you’ll never look back.
Tip: Increase the amount of time you sleep in small increments. Every night, try to sleep just 5-10 minutes earlier than the night before. This way, your body will adjust to your new bedtime more easily and you won’t be laying in bed struggling to fall asleep.
2. Moving Your Body 30-60 Minutes a Day
Instead of forcing yourself to go to the gym or dying on the treadmill for an hour, focus on just getting your body moving. This could be as simple as going on a light walk after meals or choosing to walk to and back from school or work (if it’s close by). If you have kids, you can spend time with them outside or do an activity together at home.
If walking isn’t your thing, try other activities like YouTube dance workouts or yoga. There are so many activities to choose from so have fun discovering what keeps you up and active and makes you forget about the clock.
Tip: Make exercise more fun by listening to a playlist with your favorite songs or inviting a family/friend to come along. If you have a pet they can join you too!
3. Eating Mostly Whole & Nutritious Foods
Forget about following another keto, plant-based, carnivore or fruit-only diet. If you know what foods work for your body and make you feel great, amazing, skip this section. But, if you constantly struggle to maintain a “balanced” diet, this is for you. It’s really simple (seriously). At the end of the day, you should be prioritizing eating mostly whole, nutritious foods. This just means that the foods you choose to eat should include a diverse array of all food groups with nourishing ingredients (high quality proteins, fats, vegetables fruits, carbs, etc).
At the same time, don’t restrict yourself from certain food groups or label specific foods as being “good” or “bad”; at the end of the day, food is something that nourishes your body and gives you energy. Enjoy the journey of finding what foods and recipes make you feel your best and learn to enjoy all foods without feeling stress. You got this!
Tip: Instead of focusing on foods you should cut out of your diet, focus on nutritious foods you can add to meals you already enjoy. Words of wisdom: It doesn’t matter how healthy you eat if you’re always stressing about food. The stress will do more harm to your body than the “nutritious” foods you’re eating.
4. Limit Your Screentime
In today’s day and age, technology is a part of every day life so it’s up to you to decide what type of impact it will have on your life. Be intentional every time you open your device, especially your phone, and be aware of what type of content and information you’re choosing to consume. People are always talking about the food you consume physically but the mental information you’re taking in every day has an equally big impact on your health and wellness.
Tip: If you’ve never used the screen time setting on your device, try turning it on for a week to see what apps you use the most and why. This way, you’re more self aware of what apps you’re using too much or where you’re wasting your time.
5. Scheduling Rest/Fun Days
Let’s be honest, life can get busy and sometimes it’s hard to fit in time to relax. That’s why it’s even more important to set aside a specific time just for you. A phrase I love goes along the lines of, “If you don’t give your body time to rest, your body will choose a time for you”. The last thing you want is your body to shut down from exhaustion or overworking yourself. Make sure to set aside time every day or week to have fun and enjoy things that may not be “productive” but still matter to you and make you happy.
Tip: When you enjoying a rest/fun day, be in the moment 100%. Don’t stress about what you have to do the next day or about other factors. Put everything down and appreciate the moment.
6. Practice Gratitude
Too many people are focused on the negative things in life. The funny thing is, when you choose to think about life in a positive way, life starts getting more positive. Another great saying goes, “It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy”. Your life is a reflection of your inner thoughts so making the choice to be grateful every day, even when life gets a little hard, will set you up for success in life.
Tip: Practicing gratitude can be as simple as thinking about 3 things you’re grateful for every day.
7. Practice Affirmations
Similar to wellness practice #6, practicing affirmations is a powerful practice that can change your life. No need to look in the mirror every morning and say cheesy phrases like, “You can do it!” or “You are amazing!” (but if that works for you, keep going!). When things get tough, saying positive words to yourself can be more helpful than you think. Remember, you are your biggest cheerleader and no one can love you as much as you can love yourself.
Tip: What you say to yourself has a greater impact on your life than you think. Choose statements that empower you and make you feel confident.
8. Live In The Moment
Sometimes we get so caught up in the busyness and stress of life that we forgot to pause, take a moment, and breath. Remember, you are here, in the moment, living on this earth. Keep in mind, you only have one life and if you distract yourself with all the tasks of tomorrow, you will never be able to enjoy living today.
Tip: One day, the problems and stress you’re currently facing in life will all be a distant memory. You may feel hopeless and overwhelmed now but remember, life goes on and you’re going to be okay.
The journey of wellness and self improvement is not a clear journey. There is so much information online about “the best” products, routines and foods so it can feel very overwhelming. Remember, what works for one person, or even many people, may not work for you. What matters is that you find what works for you and makes you feel great. I hope that even one of these habits may help you grow and have a positive impact on your journey towards healing and self love. Always love yourself and celebrate even the smallest things in life!