What Should I Include In My Wellness Routine?

What Should I Include In My Wellness Routine?

Taking care of yourself is always important, especially when you are experiencing personal difficulties. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important. However, more often than not, people come up with excuse after excuse as to why they are not indulging in some self-care. Perhaps they feel selfish taking time away from their day to invest within themselves, or perhaps they simply feel too busy and that their time could be better spent elsewhere. Many of us also feel a need to put others before ourselves. Whilst these feelings are valid, self-care is essential, and should be treated as such.

As a result, you must develop a wellness routine and try to do at least one or two things a day for yourself. You will soon notice the benefits on both your physical and mental wellbeing, and as a result, will be more readily equipped to help others who may be struggling during this difficult time.  With that in mind, here are 5 things you need to include in your wellness routine.

 

 

1. Regular exercise

Although it can be difficult to find the motivation to get up and exercise, especially if you are feeling down, regular exercise has a positive effect on both the body and mind as it helps release serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that helps us feel happy and can relieve feelings of anxiety, stress, and pain.  Therefore, you should set aside a small amount of time each day to exercise. You can start small and gradually increase the length and intensity of the workout whenever you feel ready to do so. Here are some great exercises for beginners!

• Yoga
• Hiking/Walking
• Jogging
• Zumba/Dance Fitness
• Cycling
• Pilates

 

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

2. Time to unwind

We are constantly on the move – whether we are heading to work or visiting a friend, it’s not very often that we give ourselves a real break. Therefore, you should try to ensure you set aside some time each week to cool off and relax. This gives you a chance to process your emotions and allows your mind and body to recover at the end of the week. Your downtime could include a range of gentle activities, from re-reading your favourite book to taking a relaxing bath with plenty of bubbles, surrounded by the scent of favourite wax melts. Other popular relaxing hobbies include:

• Listening to music/playing an instrument
• Being creative – painting, writing, journaling.
• Playing a game with friends
• Baking/Cooking
• Knitting
• Photography
• Dancing (like nobody is watching)
• Singing

 

3. Delicious treats with healthy benefits

Just because something provides you with health benefits, doesn’t mean it has to taste bad! This is a common misconception and is likely tied to the fact that nobody enjoyed eating vegetables when they were younger.

Despite this, there are plenty of sweet-tasting treats out there that can help fight against a range of issues, such as fatigue, stress, anxiety, and even muscle aches and pains. For example, CBD gummies are full of natural ingredients and are used across the world by people from all walks of life – including Olympic athletes and pensioners – to deal with a range of problems and will leave you feeling great in no time at all!

 

4. A Balanced breakfast

Whether you’ve woken up late for work, or have a small appetite in the morning, you must make time for breakfast. There is a reason as to why they call it the most important meal of the day! Even a small dish (such as some fruit or cereal)  is better than having nothing at all – and it sets you up for the busy day ahead, providing you with a much-needed burst of energy that you would otherwise go without. If you’re a big fan of coffee, it’s important to remember that it is not a substitute for a balanced breakfast.  If you’re strapped for time in the morning (or just a fan of a lie-in), you can prepare dishes such as overnight oats in advance.

 

5. Mindfulness

We could all benefit from incorporating mindfulness into our daily routines. Taking some time out of your day to process your thoughts and feelings is a great way of gaining a better understanding of who you are. You can process this through having a conversation with a loved one, keeping a journal, or simply sitting in quiet reflection. You may also want to find a way to incorporate meditation into your routine, as this has similar effects and can be a great way to relax and unwind.

I hope this what should I include in my wellness routine blog post has helped you.

This post is in collaboration, however all opinions are my own.