According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, wellness, is the quality or state of being in good health, especially as an actively sought goal. For me, being in a state of wellness is simply feeling good. It’s also, being in a state of optimum health. I want to be in a state of optimum health on a regular basis and if you’re reading this, my guess is you do too.
Here are 9 easy and inexpensive ways to create more wellness in your life:
Sleep more or Nap
That’s right, sleep is really the number one thing you can do to improve your state of wellness. If you have trouble sleeping, it’s going to ruin your day. However, if you do have trouble sleeping, take a nap. You’re not doing yourself or anyone around you any favors by staying exhausted. There is nothing like a quick 20-30 minute power nap to help rejuvenate you for the rest of your day.
Take Shavasana
If you’re not a yoga practitioner, Shavasana, sometimes spelled savasana, is the final resting pose or corpse pose that’s done at the very end of a yoga practice. It’s basically lying on your back with your eyes closed, feet about shoulder distance apart and flopping open, and arms a bit down by your side. Think of a snow angel, but not fully spread out. If you can find a quiet space, in your office or somewhere, to lie down for 3-5 minutes, you will feel rejuvenated.
Meditate
We all know that meditation has amazingly powerful effects. All you have to do is sit tall, breath evenly, and focus on one point. I know there are a lot of distractions, but trust me, once your mind begins to slow down a bit, you will start to feel much calmer, more relaxed, and ultimately more energetic. If you’re new to meditation try my free video course here.
Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku)
Yes, this is a real prescription in Japan. Doctors prescribe walks in the forest. I love my trail running and mountain biking for many reasons, but the fact that I’m outdoors in nature is one of the best reasons I go out there. If feels so good to be enveloped by all the beauty of the mountains. Find a park or a forest, or even your backyard. Sit there, relax, and enjoy what Nature does best: be itself. It will make you feel a lot more relaxed.
Walk Around in Your Robe
This is so fun to do. Whenever you’re at a spa, the first thing they do is provide you with a robe and some slippers. Then you get to roam around and use the amenities. If you’re not one to where your robe around your house, I highly recommend doing it once in a while, it totally makes you feel like your home is a spa.
Take a Bath with some Bath Salts
Once you’re in your robe, head over to your bath tub and begin running the bath. Find just the perfect temperature and when the water rises to the perfect height, drop the robe and hop on in. Baths and bath salts can be completely rejuvenating and refreshing. As an athlete, an Espom salt bath helps to relieve some soreness, but if you want more of a calming effect you can use some lavender or eucalyptus salts.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are becoming all the rage once again and for good reason. Take a few drops of peppermint halo from Saje Wellness and breathe it in deep. It immediately opens your lungs. Saje and other companies offer a wide variety of healing combinations. Pop in to your local Whole Foods or spiritual bookstore and sample what might make you feel great.
Drink Herbal Tea
Another beautiful pass time my wife and I love is drinking tea. For many years tea has been used for all kinds of different remedies from digestion, to head aches, to sore throats, and congestion. Find some teas that will heal what ails you, light some candles, sit down in your robe and enjoy the magic of your own environment.
Cucumber Water
I think every single spa I’ve ever been in has some sort of infused water. It’s one of the coolest things to have a hint of strawberry or a dash of cucumber. It’s seems like such a luxurious thing when you’re at the spa, but that’s right, you can do it all yourself. All you need is a pitcher of water and some fruit or vegetable. Cucumber is cooling for your body, so it’s refreshing during the summer months and cooling if you’re one of those type A busy folks.
These are all simple inexpensive ways to decrease your stress levels and increase wellness in your life. Wellness is an active pursuit of living in a state of optimum health. It doesn’t take very much to carve out some space and some time to feel better and isn’t that something we all want? As always, I’m happy to help. Find me @teddymcdonald and in the meantime may your level of wellness continue to increase.
Originally published on the author’s website.
Meditation is the key for me. If you don’t have time for 5 mins a day, then you probably need an hour…
Self-care is very important. Thanks for the tips. – Kevin @ Our Journey2Greatness