BECOMING A WELLBEING WARRIOR
TOP 5
1. EAT WELL
2. MOVEMENT
3. WORK SMART
4. REST & RELAXATION
5. PRACTICE
1. EAT WELL
Healthy eating I believe for many of us is linked to our emotional body. When we feel stressed, anxious, angry, sad, we take decisions that create choices and habits that may become harder to break as a cycle. Everything naturally comes together when we blend and connect what is external to what is internal, Ultimately the one area we all experience with healthy eating, diet and exercise is control, yet if experience has taught me anything it is essential that we strike a balance and always include at least one fun activity that gives us a feeling of joy.
2. MOVEMENT
When we approach our physicality it is always a best practice to start expansive and creative. Many of us enjoy walking again, working out from home, watching online classes and integrating group classes to connect and join with others, which helps motivate us within a schedule. One of the best ways to stay motivated and accountable is to track and or workout with a friend. When we record what we do and set goals we are able to remove any guilt from missing a workout and focus on the goal, the plan and being honest. Life can get busy and so prioritising our self care as an essential wellbeing practice is through movement. Body positivity is a new inclusive approach to how we measure wellness.
3. WORK SMART
Achieve work life balance through the practice of creating boundaries and this is done with structure and routines. When we find a healthy middle ground between our personal and professional lives your body mind & spirit will thank you. When you work from home create a dedicated space and in a daily routine create batch activities to boost productivity. When we work away from the office it is also beneficial to recreate the commute. Many people I know now go for a short walk, to imitate the leaving, even if this to the local coffee shop or to a circular loop. In the morning our cortisol levels are high and so this helps support our stress management. Also remember the differences between a job and a career and the connection that we have to our identity. Many of us engage in conversations where the first questions relate to what we do and for many of us that is not who are. Where the separation exists is key to our self care wellbeing.
4. REST & RELAXATION
Gratitude, writing, mood boosters & sleep are key ways to invest in our recovery. Emotional intelligence is now as important and enables us to become stronger in the very places we felt broken. The way to connecting with and boosting our health & happiness is through counting our blessings. When we are at our most challenged discovering at least one blessing is scientifically supported positive coping mechanism. How often we practice is personal and when we connect expressions in our daily routines we open the opportunity to feel closer to others. Sleep is only one way to boost our bodies, for example naps may help, massages, reiki, meditation, walks outdoors, even taking a mind break can help boost productivity and concentration. Many of our digital devices can take over and so setting time limits and bedtime limits help us to switch off and switch back into reality.
5. PRACTICE
For any of the above to integrate into new habits and routines we must create a practice and that is supported by self care wellbeing. To me, love me. It is not about becoming rigid or addicted and regimental but understanding and establishing where balance is for us. When we allow our intuition to play a part in our wellness we allow for spontaneity and so going with the flow also allows us flexibility and adaptability to life's busy curve balls.