4 Easy Ways To Focus on Wellness

Soon I'll be turning thirty-one and lately I've been thinking a lot about what I do to take care of myself both emotionally and physically. The closer I get to thirty-one, the more I've noticed that somewhere in my mid-twenties I started to truly focus on personal wellness and methods of self-care. I workout, do yoga, try to eat whole foods and seek out more time in nature.

Wellness isn't always something that comes naturally or easily. You definitely have to make time for it, but once you do you'll find yourself wanting to continue - no matter how busy your life becomes. Here are some ways that I have found works really well:

DO YOGA
I've been doing yoga for almost three years now and I've found that dedicated an hour each week to yoga has really helped with my anxiety and overall well being. Yoga has a magical way of centering you. If you haven't tried it - I suggest that you do. I remember when I first started I wasn't flexible at all and over the years I've progressed quite a bit.

EAT WHOLE FOODS
This is something I really started to focus on last year. I started to really pay attention to what I was putting in my body. I try and stay away from excess sugar and cheese because when I tried Whole30 I found that both didn't do well with my body.

MEDITATE
This is something that I have only recently started. Some may think it is the same as yoga, but I've found that doing ten minutes of yoga each day can add some much needed relaxation. Whether it's in the morning to center yourself or at the end of a long day to regain some calm, meditation can help. You can find a wonderful 30 day course on meditation here. Best of all it's free.

EXERCISE
It can really be any type of exercise. Just start moving. You can walk, run, jump run, dance - whatever you do get that heart rate up and have fun. This will sound weird, but the more energy you expend the more energy you will get from doing so. Running was something that I had to force myself to do and now that I've been running for over four years now I feel weird when I don't. Be sure to checkout my Stay Fit board on Pinterest.


What are some of the ways in which you focus on wellness in your life?

Health & Wellness: Morning Rituals

Aah, the morning ritual. This is something that has actually taken me quite awhile to create a habit of. And no, I'm not talking about a routine of waking up, brushing your teeth, getting dressed and eating breakfast before you rush out the door. I'm talking about a morning ritual that you can benefit from. A ritual that will lead to a sense of calm and emotional grounding before you start your day. I've compiled a list of awesome rituals that you can try the next time you wake up. Let's get started, shall we?

MEDITATION
Meditation is a great way to start the day. Taking time to put yourself in a calm mental state can help prepare you for whatever stress may come you way. Meditation doesn't mean you have to completely quiet your mind. It is more about letting your thoughts come and go. There are some great meditation videos that you can find here. These videos are also great for those who are new to meditation.

A CUP OF TEA
Seriously, just a cup of tea can do wonders. Maybe it is the ritual of heating the water, placing in the teabag and waiting for it to steep that can create a sense of calm. Or maybe it is the warm liquid that soothes the soul as we drink. Either way, a cup of tea can help you slow down a bit and enjoy the morning. Just make sure you keep all distractions at bay while enjoying your tea. You can check out my favourite tea latte recipe here.

JOURNALING
This is something that I have been trying to do more - and most of the time it's in the evening. So, if you're able to start journaling in the morning I commend you! My friend Megan shared with me this amazing site that will send you ten minute writing prompts everyday. You can sign up for these daily writing prompt e-mails here.

YOGA
Ah, I really can speak enough about yoga. It truly has become one of my favourite things to do. I may not do yoga for an hour each day (since I typically do an hour every Saturday morning) but doing a few yoga poses in the morning can really be beneficial. You can find a wonderful morning yoga video here.

Other beneficial rituals to add to your morning:
a cup of hot water and lemon, listening to music, avoiding electronic devices, taking time to say good morning to those around you, eating a healthy breakfast without distractions.


What are some of your morning rituals? And is there anything you think you might want to add to it?