When it comes to wellness, I will be the first to admit that it seems a little complicated and can be very overwhelming at first glance. There just seems to be a lot of requirements like diet changes, lifestyle changes and do not get me started on exercise! My point is, embarking on a wellness journey can be a whole lot and may be discouraging as a beginner though your body will thank you for it in the end.
Wellness or as some like to call it, living well is all about honoring and preserving our bodies that do so much for us. While wellness and living well may mean different things to different folks, however to me, living well means mindfully taking daily steps to care for and nurture my body, mind, and soul. It is more than eating salads and drinking fresh juice as detoxicants. It should be imbibed as a way of life if one is to get any meaningful results. It does not have to be overwhelming or impractical in any way. As a result, I have put together seven easy wellness practices to help you kickstart your wellness journey.
1. Go On A Walk
If like me you are not a fan of high intensity workouts, then you might want to consider taking long walks instead. Walking has easily become my favorite form of exercise. Walking is extremely therapeutic as it is a good way to relax and unwind as well as an easy way to keep your body moving. The best times I would recommend for going on walks are in the mornings or evenings to avoid the harshness of the sun, and please do not forget your sunscreen.
Read: Dear Black Girl, This Is The Importance Of Sunscreen
2. Mindful Journaling
Journaling is an excellent wellness practice when catering to your mind. It is a practice I would highly recommend you include in your daily routine habit if you do not already do so. I challenge you to be more mindful during your journaling sessions. Journaling is a great way to step out of your head and drop into your emotions. You can journal along to journal prompts you find online that resonate with you or you can brain dump the way you feel or what is on your mind. Whatever the case may be, journaling is only as effective as how consistent and mindful you are during your journaling sessions.
3. Make Yourself A Cup Of Tea
I am not particularly fond of this one but there are numerous benefits to the art of drinking herbal tea. They are packed with antioxidants, aid digestion and bowel movement as well as promote healthy skin. Like I mentioned earlier, the benefits are seemingly endless. The best part is, they come in a range of options, from chamomile to green tea and so on and so forth depending on what you are looking for. Do not be afraid to explore the world of tea. Your body will thank you for it.
4. Daily Affirmations
Adding recitation of daily affirmations to your morning routine as a wellness practice might seem unconventional, but remember that living well is also all about giving love to our bodies and being mentally as well as physically prepared to take on life’s challenges. There is no better way to do this than to speak positive, encouraging and loving words over ourselves each morning. Until recently, I never believed daily affirmations were important. I have since come to realize however that there is so much power behind our words. The way we speak to ourselves directly affects how we see ourselves. Affirming ourselves daily on our worth, beauty, value, intelligence and so on play a very crucial role in our wellness practice.
5. Cook A Meal For Yourself
I cannot put a finger on it, but there is something about cooking nutritious and delicious meals for yourself that make every bite you take feel like falling in love with yourself all over again. Cooking is very therapeutic and relaxing especially when approaching the kitchen with the intention of nurturing and fueling your body. Cooking good food filled with nutrients and flavor for yourself, regardless of how long or short it takes to make is an easy way to kickstart your journey to a healthy and mindful lifestyle.
6. Stay Hydrated
The hustle and bustle of everyday life can really push staying hydrated by drinking enough water on the back burner. A lot of us go about our day without realizing just how dehydrated our bodies are. We are quick to grab a bottle of soda or energy drinks to boost our energy levels while neglecting what are bodies really and desperately need, good ‘ole’ water. The truth is, one of the easiest ways to take care of your body and nourish it is by simply drinking enough water. Do not be afraid to take a water bottle with you throughout the day and to top it up when it runs low. I can assure you the result will amaze you.
7. Set A Bedtime
This is an easy one whose benefits cannot be overemphasized. When was the last time you had full seven or eight hours of sleep at night?
Seriously, ask yourself.
Our body needs sufficient rest to function properly and repair damaged cells otherwise it can start to breakdown and we can begin to burnout. I would highly recommend setting a bedtime if you do not have one and ensuring you stick to it. One of the keys to overall wellness, healthy body and a sound mind is adequate rest.
Wellness has so many facets to it and once you get into it fully and intentionally, you will begin to see how much fun tending to and nurturing your body, soul and mind can be. I strongly believe that although there is a general template when it comes to wellness, embarking on a wellness journey is a personal choice and an individual race which in some cases can be totally different from that of others. My advice, take it easy on yourself. Listen to your body and remember the journey to living well is a lifelong marathon, so go easy on yourself and enjoy the run.
