Without further ado, let’s dive into Part III of this series: In-Home Wellness Practices.
(Click here to catch up on Part I, tips for enhancing The Space Itself, and/or Part II, Mindset & Routine…)
I’m a believer that wellness is an extremely broad concept and can be applied to a million different practices. The only thing that truly matters about whatever activity you’re qualifying as “wellness” is that it feels good to you. No matter where you source ideas from (or from whom), they will ultimately have no positive effect on your well-being if you don’t find them to be personally enjoyable practices… So, as with all of my tips, take ‘em or leave ‘em but I hope they help!
Mind
Leather journal by Rustico.
Journaling - thoughts, feelings, fears, anxieties, excitement, joy, positives, negatives, gaining clarity around a situation, etc. - any and all words are welcome on a non-judgmental piece of paper. This practice can be SO therapeutic when you let your words free flow. Sometimes I’ll set out to write a sentence or two and then 30 minutes and 15 pages later I realize I had a LOT more I needed to get off my chest! This is also a great way to privately process without involving a spouse or roommate - which can alleviate strain/pressure on a relationship. I save all of my journals, but rarely do I go back to re-read any of my entries, which is partly why I find this to be so cleansing.
Practicing Gratitude - I cannot begin to convey how impactful this has been for my well-being. By acknowledging a few of the countless blessings I have to be grateful for on a regular basis, I retain perspective. Things may not always be as “perfect” as I’d like them to be, but taking a few moments each day to gain awareness and celebrate some of the GOOD that’s going on in my life is tremendously powerful. Here are a few things I’m grateful for today, for inspiration: 1) my slippers keeping my feet warm, 2) fresh air coming through my windows, 3) my love and passion for design, 4) my family, 5) the ability to read and write, 6) my courage to be vulnerable, 7) creativity, 8) coffee table books, 9) my safety, 10) clean hair.
Connecting with Loved Ones - even the shortest conversations can feel the most uplifting. Taking anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour to reconnect with someone I care about fuels my soul (preferably via phone call rather than text.) Advice: make a list of people you haven’t spoken to in awhile, and reach out to one a day to set up a call… and see how full your life feels after a week of catch ups!
Positive Affirmations - a few months ago I wrote out about 20 positive sayings that when said out loud (ideally with some emotion/conviction), instantly made me feel better about myself. I put the piece of cardstock into a picture frame and now it sits by my bathroom sink. Every day at least once or twice a day, I repeat them over and over. I immediately feel empowered with a raised vibration, ready to tackle whatever comes at me. By fueling my mind with positive sayings, I am able to combat negative thoughts more easily.
Growth & Learning - I try to take in at least one podcast, article, video, etc. that expands my mind each day. If my mind is not challenged I can easily start to feel stuck. Even the most random tidbits of information can help stimulate the feeling of learning.
Limit Media Intake - as much as I love social media and the positive connectivity and inspiration it can offer, it can also be extremely toxic and/or just plain overwhelming. This is something I struggle with honestly, keeping a handle on how much time I spend online, because it’s SO EASY to get sucked in! Being home for hours on end, the instinct is usually to distract from boredom with scrolling or intake of news/tv shows, etc. But limiting it and keeping it to certain hours of the day, you can gain so much mental clarity and achieve greater levels of productivity, which feels so good.
Body
Image courtesy of MTI Baths.
Hot Water with Fresh Lemon - something about it first thing in the morning is SO refreshing and nourishing for my soul. Pre-coffee, it’s the perfect cleansing bev to start my day.
Physical Activity - my ideal form of exercise is a really long walk outdoors, which fortunately we’re able to do right now… but if yoga, pilates, HIIT, CrossFit, etc. are your thing, I have been seeing a ton of online/virtual classes popping up to fill that void for many. (Even YouTube has countless free training videos!) *I also LOVE restorative yoga*
Taking a Bath - this is one of my most favorite activities. I find it unbelievably soothing and rejuvenating, especially a little before bed. It cleanses my body from the day and calms my mind going into the evening. I especially love adding Epsom salt to my bath for the added detox/relaxation benefits.
Skin care is self-care. Moisturizing, face masks, you name it.
Eating Well and Eating Clean - what I fuel my body with directly impacts my brain functioning and overall outlook. I am not about to tell you what to eat or what not to, I believe food is an extremely personal journey… that said, from my experience, a day fueled by refined sugars and uber-processed/chemically modified foods is a far less productive day than one fueled by foods that can still be found in nature.
Physical Touch - you don’t have to be partnered up to experience the benefits of physical touch. Instead, you can clasp your hands together, put one hand on your stomach and one on your heart as you breathe deeply, or wrap your arms around yourself for a hug! It shows immense loving kindness to yourself. If you are partnered up, love on each other daily… whatever that may mean for you, intimacy is gold for health & wellness.
Sleep - those of you who know me personally know that I don’t mess around with sleep. It is one of the MOST healing, stabilizing practices out there. It’s our body’s natural way of recalibrating. 8, 9, 10 hours per night, and sometimes a nap here or there. I honor sleep like it’s a sacred practice because to me it is, zero apologies ever.
Spirit
Fresh Cut Gardenia Candle by DW Home.
Breathing - my beloved therapist back in New York taught me that if your breath comes from your chest it triggers your adrenaline (fight or flight response), vs if you breathe deeply in/out from your belly, it calms your central nervous system and helps you relax. If you’re feeling like you need a boost of energy, breathe from the chest; if you need a wave of calm, breathe into your belly. Try it, it’s incredible.
Meditation - I first started meditating about 10 years ago when I was searching for a way to ease some anxiety. I looked to guided meditations (that I literally found on YouTube, like the one below) to help me feel like I knew what I was doing… Nowadays there are tons of apps to help facilitate meditation. No matter how long or how short, the impact is subtle yet powerful.
Tapping into Creativity - this is such a fulfilling practice when you ignore all judgment and allow yourself freedom to experiment. This can take any number of forms, whether it’s writing, taking photos, painting, coloring, editing - you name it.
Fresh Air & Connecting with Nature - I immediately feel humbled and appreciative when I’m surrounded by nature. Fresh air, a small body of water, a man-made park… any of it can work. Even 20 little minutes spent outdoors can be so invigorating.
Prayer, Tarot Cards, Astrology Readings - I love to experiment with any and all!!
Essential Oils & Candles - something about scent is very powerful for calming the mind and body. Even dabbing a few droplets onto a cotton ball and keeping it nearby throughout the day is an easy way to get the healing benefits without overwhelming your space with smell. Otherwise, scented candles can beautifully liven the energy within a space.
Music - music is my happy place. I love plugging into a playlist that I haven’t heard in years, having it take me back to that exact time and place… or discovering new artists/songs that energize me. I LOVE that Spotify compiles your most listened to songs from the year into one playlist - without fail, everytime I listen to mine, the songs lift me up.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten a few things, so I will update as time goes on… but I hope this helps some of you out there! Sending good vibes and positivity your way.
Until next time,
LG
Ps… if you watch my Instagram stories, I reference a secondary video of the MOST soothing music! Click here for it <3