August is National Wellness Month, celebrating all things healthy & mindful! Here's some tips to fulfill those wellness needs this month.
Although we are just over halfway through August, it's not too late to start changing your routine to maximise your well-being. Read on to find out more.
#nationalwellnessmonth
Recently at The Retreats, we have been hearing numerous clients saying how tired and run down they are feeling this summer- especially with it being so hot. Now school holidays are well on their way, it seems that our bodies are feeling drained as we approach the last quarter of the year. This blog will provide you with quick, useful tips of how to gain your energy back through the celebration of National Wellness Month!
Both mentally and physically, adding these small changes into your routine will help beat those aching bodies and tired minds.
What is 'wellness'?
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. 1
I studied this religiously whilst at university, and was intrigued to discover 'wellness' is made up of several factors. Mental, physical, spiritual, social, intellectual and emotional elements all contribute to our overall state of 'wellness'. This month, why not focus on one dimension a day and see how you feel after a week? The following tips are just a few of many- designed to incorporate multiple dimensions of wellness.
#2 Move Around
#3 Treat Yourself
#1: Get your Z's
Deprivation of sleep can have detrimental effects on both our mental, cognitive and physical health. It is recommended we get 8 hours of sleep a day but reports find that as we carry on through adulthood, we are only getting 6-7 hours of quality sleep. 2
Studies have shown lack of sleep has behavioral consequences, affecting our day-to-day lives. Alertness and concentration are reduced, as well as an increase in mood swings 3 . This will collectively have an impact on all other five dimensions of wellness.
Our sleep cycle is determined by hormone regulation in our bodies as well as external factors such as light & noise. As our environment becomes darker, our bodies' circadian rhythm ensures that melatonin is released to control our sleep patterns.
There are ways that this can be helped and things you can do to contribute to achieving a good night's sleep, working your way to improving your overall wellness. Ensuring you avoid digital screens before bed can help your body drift off with ease as the blue light emitted from these devices triggers our body into thinking it is daytime. The luxury skincare brand we use, Germaine de Capuccini, has an excellent range for helping skin overcome pollution from screens- check it out here (all products can be purchased from The Retreats in-salon or via our online shop).
Aromatherapy is an excellent way to indulge in quality rest. Try out some essential oils like lavender or chamomile by spraying your pillow, using them in a diffuser, or by taking a few deep inhalations right before you want to drift off. Exercising during the day will also lead to a better night's sleep later on as well as releasing those endorphins- otherwise known as 'happy' hormones!
#2: Move Around
Following on from the last point, it's vital to get your body moving each day. Whether it's a walk around the house or a two-mile run, exercising helps keep your body mobile, strengthens your muscles & contributes to an overall state of happiness.
Exercising has been found to lower your chances of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer 4, ultimately improving your 'physical' dimension of wellness! Not only this but it will help with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety through the release of endorphins (as mentioned before), as well as lowering blood pressure due to the heart being able to pump more blood around the body with less effort 5. It also acts as a great break for those of you who work from home and are stuck in the same room all day! Even if you take five minutes out to run around the garden, exercise is a must on your to-do list for improving your personal well-being!
#3: Treat Yourself
It's no secret that in our busy lives, we rarely put ourselves first or give ourselves credit where it's due. It's even less likely that when we do have spare time, we will keep it for ourselves and usually ends up being used for house chores, kids, or sometimes getting ahead on that extra presentation or meeting you are worried about. Taking time out is just as important as all of these things and is a wellness priority!
Read a book, listen to some music, take a bath, or practice yoga to boost your spiritual wellness! Think of something you never get to do but love doing. That's your cue to push back a chore/job and bump this thing up. Create a list of all the things cluttering your head from your 'to-do' list. Number them in order of priority. As you work your way down the list, can you see some spare time where you could perhaps take 30 minutes to yourself? It's likely that there will be something that can wait, and instead, add yourself to that priority list! Therapists have advised how important it is to be selfish 6 when it comes to self-care, so put yourself, your happiness, and your well-being first.
Another thing to remember is to utilise the businesses around you for self-care. If eating out is a treat, support your local restaurant! If retail therapy is your thing, shop around your local retail stores. To boost your spiritual, mental, and physical wellness, why not visit a place that offers treatments such as massage? Massage helps relieve physical tension in the body as well as stimulate your nervous system, causing feelings of relaxation and calmness. Investing in some time to have more aesthetic-based treatments done like nails or brows may be a confident booster for you, so why not indulge yourself?
The Retreats offers all kinds of therapies from wellness to beauty & skincare and is your ultimate place to relax and take the time out you deserve! We are on hand to listen, talk and encourage you to carry on your wellness activities even after you've spent your time with us.
You can read more about us at www.the-retreats.com/about-us
If there's anything to take from this read, it is to realise that 'wellness' doesn't mean being constantly healthy, happy, or glamorous all the time. Instead, it is choosing to spend your time fulfilling at least one of your dimensions, and realising the importance of doing so.
