5 Ways to focus on your wellness

June 12th marks Global Wellness Day, a social project dedicated to living well. With aims that include helping us to recognise the value in our lives, to free ourselves from stress and to increase motivation, Global Wellness Day is a great reminder for us to check in with our own wellbeing. 

Wellness can look different to all of us, but we can all benefit from taking time to pause and reflect on the aspects of our lives that make up our own wellbeing. If you need some motivation for promoting wellness in your life, try out these 5 ideas.

1. Practise mindfulness. We’re all at different stages of our mindfulness journey, but whether you meditate for an hour, take a walk in nature, practise a mindful minute or explore an app like Headspace or Calm, make sure to take the time to engage in an activity that helps you to be present and engaged. 

2. Get moving! Stretch, dance, lift weights, run, hike – even if it’s only for a couple of minutes, move your body in a way that feels good to you.

3. Check in with yourself. Journal, assess your goals, write out a gratitude list or brainstorm your values. When was the last time you asked yourself how you were doing? There are loads of journaling prompts available online if you’re keen to jump in but don’t know where to begin. 

4. Eat and drink! Global Wellness Day is the perfect time to make sure you’re drinking enough water and that your kitchen is stocked up with fruit, veggies and all your favourite nutritious foods. Make a new recipe, bulk cook some meals for yourself throughout the week or share some food with your loved ones. 

5. Give back. Whilst checking in on our own wellness is important, Global Wellness Day is also a great reminder for us to check in on the wellbeing of those around us. Call a friend or whānau member to tell them you love them, help out in your community, try out a random act of kindness – however giving back might look like to you, do your best to carve out some space for this.

To get further involved in Global Wellness Day, sign up to the Livestream, check out these resources or connect on social media.

Let us know what you’ll be doing to promote your own wellness!  

Written by Shardae Grenfell, AWWA Guest Blogger