In the day and age of influencers and “wellness routines” it can get a bit overwhelming with identifying what your own personal wellness goals/routines to prioritize. It is easy to judge appearances and assume wellness is measured in looks alone, being eating your Instagram worthy acai bowl in your Lulu Lemon workout gear(lol, totally not judging those who may be reading this while in your Lulu lemon and eating your acai bowl-just keep reading and you will see my point). My friends, beware of getting caught in a “wellness trap” since this is a skewed measurement. What I mean by a “wellness trap” is you can compare yourself to all these celebrity types and do the fanciest of cleanses, yet, wellness can actually be very practical and simple, just reflect on the “Blue Zones” when redefining your definition of wellness.
The “Blue Zones” are referred to as geographical regions of the world where the oldest people live. This studied revealed the impact that genetics is only a small part of the puzzle approximately 20-30% of longevity, whereas, environmental factors impact wellness specifically lifestyle factors and diet. These major factors of eating REAL, whole foods, moderate alcohol consumption, incorporating exercise in their daily life, sleep at least 7 hours(+ naps), spiritual connection, living a life of purpose, and a solid community. If you further research these zones, these are not your typical “influencers” they are simple people who are making the most out of what life gives them. You can read about the Blue Zones here: https://www.bluezones.com/about/history/
Grace and I this month have shared our own wellness goals, and provided 8 ideas that you can incorporate this month to reboot your wellness journey. These include: fitness, limiting screen time, hydration/no alcohol/no caffeine, reading, gratitude, stretching/yoga, 1 hour outdoors, and no impulsive shopping(contentment).
In honor of National Wellness Month, take some time to identify what YOU need to prioritize right now in your personal wellness journey remember that wellness should not be measured by appearance alone but overall quality of life so here are the areas to reflect on:
Spiritual Health:
This is very important to Grace and I in prioritizing our time praying and reading the Bible. I personally have found the days I have a good quiet time, I feel more grounded and prepared for the day–Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on you, because he trusts in you.(Prov 3:5-6, Jer. 29:11) Plus, being part of a church has been monumental in having support and a community which leads into my next point.
Quality of Relationships:
There are multiple studies that I have linked indicating quality of wellness in association with having solid friendships and relationships. This not only bolsters your mood but also your sense of security in having people you trust and enjoy being around. So, take time this month to set time and catch up with those special people in your life. (ews.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2017/04/over-nearly-80-years-harvard-study-has-been-showing-how-to-live-a-healthy-and-happy-life)
Movement:
This month define your own personal goals for how to move your body. Do you need to slow down or challenge yourself? You define the intensity of your movement this month, but your biggest goal should simply be to keep your body in motion since this boosts mood, confidence and will help you sleep better. Walking outside is an excellent and simple way to reboot your mind and body, plus allows your system to get recharged in the outdoors(look up “Forest Bathing” fun studies demonstrating the impact of nature on our wellness).
Prioritizing Rest:
Instead of getting caught up in hustle and bustle, learning to have days you intentionally set apart to slow down and rejuvenate. Resting looks different for everyone and personality wise, so define your rest in this season. Pregnancy has taught me to appreciate the wonderful gift of naps, especially on those summer days to sit on the back deck and fall asleep to birds singing.
Screen Time:
One quote I heard recently is “Don’t consume first in your day, instead create something”-I needed that reminder to break a bad habit of scrolling through social media on my morning bus commute. Since it is easy to immediately get stuck in the wave of comparison. I have been trying to prioritize one day(full 24 hrs) from social media and screens in general, my mind always feels quieter and well-rested when I do. Plus, I feel a boost in creativity and clarity for what my priorities need to be. In addition, Grace and I are making more space for reading at night and protecting that time away from screens. Especially ONE hour before bedtime, allowing your mind to settle into a healthier bedtime routine.
Contentment:
This ties in nicely with screen time since we are constantly bombarded with images of “things we need” for instant satisfaction. As the trend of “underconsumption core” is going around, this is an excellent time to reevaluate what you have and perhaps a challenge you need this month is to identify your essentials and only purchase what you need. As I am preparing for a baby, this is the time I am cleaning out my closet, donating LOTS of stuff I don’t need, and identifying what is absolutely essential for this next season. It is extremely humbling/exhausting to look at the pile of stuff you collected only to get rid of, yet, it feels great to reset and take time to be grateful for what you have.
Wrapping up this post, Grace and I wish you the BEST in your wellness journey this month and we hope this is an encouragement to you to make the most of these wellness challenges. Prioritize what you need to in this chapter and we hope in doing so, will enable you to end the year strong.
Cheers!
Sierra and Grace
