It’s easy to believe that health and wellness looks like a strict exercise routine and a super clean diet. But, we’re here to tell you this is not the case!
Everyone’s wellness journey is individual, and it’s about working out what works for you and balancing healthy decisions with fun and joy.
There are no silver bullets when it comes to your health, and although we mentioned everyone’s wellness journey will be different, there are some basic fundamentals to practice to ensure you’re on the right track! Keep reading to find out.
The first pillar of wellness is having a balanced healthy diet. This will reduce your risk of physical health conditions and improve your sleep, mood and brain function – essential for feeling your best! To start improving your nutrition, try eating the rainbow while still enjoying all foods (avoid restriction).
Not just great for improving your strength, aerobic capacity, and reducing your risk of disease, exercise can help regulate emotions and prevent symptoms of depression and anxiety! To start receiving the health and wellness benefits of exercise, try fitting in 30 minutes of movement you enjoy every day.
Good sleep is core to wellness – it’s the time where our brains restore and rejuvenate themselves! Consequently, sleep is essential for brain health, mood and energy, physical health, mental health and immune system function. As such, prioritise sleep, aiming for 7-8 hours. How can you do this? Ensure you have consistent sleep and wake times (that account for 7-8 hours of sleep), sleep in a dark and quiet room, and try winding down before bedtime (we like meditating or journaling).
Socialising prevents feelings of loneliness, improves brain function, increases sense of happiness and wellbeing, and may even help you live longer. In-person is best, however, connecting via technology can work too! If you struggle to find the time to be social in your busy schedule, give these ideas a go: get your friend to join one of your workouts, call a friend when you go for a walk, or invite a friend over to cook and eat dinner together.
Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment and appreciating the present. This helps to improve mental health, allowing you to be mentally clear and emotionally calm. Practising mindfulness doesn’t have to be difficult! Try tuning into the sights and sounds on your next walk, chewing slowly, noticing tastes and textures when you eat or meditating by counting your breaths and allowing thoughts to come and go with no judgments.
