5 top wellness tips for all!
Life is great…but damn is it a hectic! Most of us are living in a perpetual state of stress and its takes some real dedication to keep ourselves balanced, but it doesn’t have to be hard. The daily stressors in our lives are easy to accept as normal, because ‘life hard’ right? But it really doesn’t have to be. There are some really easy ways you can add some wellness into your day, and it doesn’t have to be #instagramable self care days and 2 hour yoga na mediation classes. Start simple, find your groove and find what works for you before you start investing your hard earned dollar and precious time in stuff that isn’t your vibe.
So here are some super easy tips to add into you day to keep you wellness muscle on track.
MOVE
This is always the first thing to slip when we ‘don’t have time’ and it is the last thing you feel like doing if you’re stressed, I get it, but it actually helps. When we move
It doesn’t matter what type of movement it is. Dance around your kitchen, do some yoga or get stuck in to a HIIT session. The good news is it doesn’t even matter how long you move for, infant it is actually better for you NOT to do too much. Too much hard excessive actually puts our body under more stress, so unless you’re training for the olympics then don’t overdo it.
If you really aren’t feeling it and then take yourself for a walk around the block. No judgement. Just be where you need to be. Use it as an opportunity to get out in nature, soak up some oxygen.
MEDITATE
‘focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting,
for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.’
Meditation is a came changer. Check everything you think you know about mediation at the door, it doesn’t have to be cross legged and chanting, although when you get there, ENJOY! Starting by committing to 5 minutes each morning, it a great way to settle you mind before you start the day, especially if you are the kind of person that wakes up worried about the day….don’t we all!
Meditation can take so many forms, standing, walking, lying down, you may even choose to mediate whilst staring our the window drinking your morning coffee. There is not right or wrong way, it is a personal practice, find what works for you.
The biggest myth of meditation is that you have to clear your mind. You don’t. Meditation at its core is about being with yourself, thoughts and all. An intention to hold focus on something, be it your breath, a tree, a candle, and coming back to that gently when you feel yourself drift is the only aim. It is believed that even just 30 seconds focus at the end of a 20 minute mediation is effective.
But if you can start by taking 5 minutes to sit somewhere peacefully each morning to focus on your breath, you will notice a huge difference to your day! There are great free resources, and apps online for meditation - our favourite is insight timer.com
BREATHE
I know it sounds like an obvious one, but really most of us forget to breath properly! Most of us go about our days breathing into only a small portion of our chest. Breathing fully into your chest, belly, back and mind is so beneficial for our overall wellness.
There are plenty of different breath work techniques ranging from a simple box breath that you can do in a few minutes, to a full Wim Hof style transformational breath that can be a full hour session. Either way, breathwork can be so beneficial for stress, anxiety, improved sleep, enhanced creativity, confidence….the list is pretty endless.
When you breathe in a circular way involving your whole body we increased the oxygen in our bodies, which is good for all kinds of stuff and 'prana' - or life energy - builds up in your body.
It free, it’s easy, it’s something we do everyday. So just taking some time out each day to just breath a bit deeper can help really bring our nervous system back into balance. Infact, do it right now. Relax your shoulders, take a deep breath, expand your belly, hold….and let it go. Better? Thought so!
NOURISH
Nourish yourself! It may sound obvious but if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed it’s really easy to slip into comfort eating, or grabbing on the go. Having the intention to put something nourishing into your body everyday will help keep that balance.
We know we all need more vegetables, more water, and maybe there are some key foods that you know are your nourishing go to. Make a conscious effort to incorporate them everyday. We make a choice with our forks everyday. Make a big majority of them good one’s, even if there are times when you choose crisps over carrots.
Warm, grounding foods from the earth are great for re-grounding, and balancing in times fo stress. Root vegetables, whole grains, with nourishing herbs and spices help balance our root chakra with is our grounding centre.
EXPAND
Starting each day with something inspirational, rather than the news, or instagram is a great way to put things into perspective for the day, before you begin to move through your day. Personally I love using Daily Oracle by Jerico Mandybur or I Am Your Tribe by Danielle Doby , which I flick through each morning to an affirmation or poem, which helps give me a thought to expand on in the morning before I get into the day, and can a great way to begin a journalling practice.
Making a decision to read a page of your book each day, or listen to a new podcast, catch up on a webinar is a great way to make sure your expanding your mind and thoughts. It may not seem like a wellness tip as such, but keeping your mind growing, expanding your knowledge, can really help you find your way in health and wellness. It can open you up to new ways of thinking, new options you’d never consider and can help keep you motivated and focused.
By no means is this an extensive list of wellness, but if you are just getting started and need some tangible way to add a bit more wellness into your live and start finding your vibe and your tribe…this is a great place to start! xx