August is National Wellness Month, and the goal is to help
people focus on self-care, stress management, and daily routines that promote
overall health. All of us deserve to feel our best. While the concept of
self-care can sometimes feel daunting, a little planning and belief that we
deserve to take care of ourselves can make a big difference in our lives. You
don’t have to do everything at once, though. Here are 7 ways to create 7 days
of wellness for yourself and your family.
1. Day One - Hydration
On day one, start with hydration. During busy days, it can be easy to forget to drink water or other hydrating beverages. If you focus on drinking water first thing during the day, you will feel better. If drinking water on an empty stomach bothers you, try adding a hydration tablet or powder or some lemon juice, which will give you essential minerals and help your body hydrate more efficiently. Dehydration can cause headaches, dizziness, and low blood volume which can lead to heart palpitations, all of which makes facing a busy day a lot harder.
2. Day Two - Take a Walk
On day two, take a walk outside, preferably in a natural
setting if you are able. Not only will you reap the health benefits of physical
activity, but you may also experience mental clarity, improved concentration,
and better focus. Our brains are designed to exist in nature, so spending time
out there in the world away from our computers can help a lot.
3. Day Three - Mental Rest
Day 3 can be a day to incorporate mental rest. Whether
that involves mindfulness meditation, some breathing techniques, or some
gratitude journaling, taking time to put aside all your responsibilities (and
thinking about those responsibilities) to clear your mind and focus on the
positive in your day can help improve your sleep and reduce anxiety.
4. Day Four - Tidy Up
On day 4, tidy up. That doesn’t mean you have to power clean your whole house. Just find one spot, maybe the area where you spend the most time, and put away any items you don’t use all the time, sweep or vacuum the floor, and do anything that will refresh the space and make it a more pleasant space in which to spend your time. When our work areas are cluttered, it can make it harder for us to focus. Tidying up a small space can also give us a sense of achievement for the day and boost our self-esteem.
5. Day Five - Eat More Veggies
On day 5, incorporate more vegetables into at least one meal a day. Sauté some broccoli or asparagus into your scrambled eggs. Have a salad for lunch. Snack on carrot sticks and hummus. Roast some onions, carrots, and potatoes together for a delicious side at dinner. If you toss in a protein such as chickpeas or roasted chicken, that could be the whole dinner. Eating more vegetables will not only provide you with the vitamins and minerals your body needs to function, but it will also improve your digestion.
6. Day Six - Eat More Fruit
On day 6, take note of how much fruit you eat. Fruit is
a great substitute for sugary treats and provides a lot more essential
nutrients than cookies, no matter how delicious the cookies are. Many fruits
also contain antioxidants, substances that help protect our bodies from natural
processes that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses.
Berries have some of the highest levels of antioxidants of any food, and Aronia
berries top that scale. Incorporating Superberries Aroniaberry Products into
your everyday meals and snacks is a delicious way to take care of yourself and
your family.
7. Day Seven - Spa Day
Day 7 is a day to treat yourself. Get a massage. Take a whole spa day. If you can’t fit that in, stop at your favorite coffee shop and enjoy a special beverage. Call a friend for a long chat. Meet up with friends. Do any activity in which the sole purpose is to support your happiness. You deserve to feel good and taking time to connect with yourself or the people you love supports your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.
Self-care is so important, and we all deserve to feel less
stressed. Try one of these tips or find other ways to focus on yourself today
and throughout the whole year, not just August. You are absolutely worth it.
