August is National Wellness Month! While there are a lot of different aspects to wellness, it’s our mission at Soothe to help you achieve your wellness goals, no matter what they are. And what better time to start than right now? We’ve pulled together 10 new wellness habits that you can start right now, or add to your current routine to celebrate with us, all month long!
- Get a massage
When it comes to prioritizing your own wellness, what better way than treating yourself to a spa day? Massages not only feel great, they also release tension from stress and anxiety, reduce inflammation, and help you recover quickly from exercise. Make regular massages part of your monthly or weekly wellness routine to get the most benefits from your sessions. Want wellness to come to you? Book a Soothe massage right in the comfort of your own home for a safe, relaxing experience on your schedule.
- Practice meditation
You don’t need to be a zen master to benefit from meditation. Meditating, even just for a few minutes, has a powerful impact on your overall wellness. If you haven’t already tried meditation, National Wellness Month is the perfect time to start. We’ve got you covered with some basic meditation techniques and tools to get going. If you’re already incorporating meditation into your routine, use this time to try different types of meditations, switch up your breathwork, or just meditate for longer. There’s no wrong way to do it!
- Try a new exercise routine
You already know that a little bit of movement can go a long way when it comes to physical wellness. National Wellness Month is the perfect reason to change things up. If you’re feeling bored with your current routine, it’s time to try something new. Even if the gym isn’t an option, there are tons of at-home workouts, Zoom video classes, and workout apps to help inspire a new routine. If your new workouts have you feeling the burn, schedule an at-home sports massage to keep yourself ready for the next class, too.
- Go a little greener
Wellness is more than exercise and eating right. Taking care of the planet is important too! When it comes to National Wellness Month, we’re taking it a step farther and going greener at home. Choose one green habit each week of August, and stick to it for the whole month. You can pledge to be mindful of your water usage, eliminate single-use plastics (looking at you, water bottles), or even try composting! These habits help keep Mother Earth well, and also benefit your own wellness in the long run, too.
- Clean up your diet
We can’t talk about wellness without mentioning food. For National Wellness month, take a look at your pantry, and give it the clean sweep. Clean foods are made from real, whole ingredients, and usually contain 5 or less main ingredients. There are plenty of foods out there that claim to be healthy, but contain fillers and weird chemicals. Stick to real foods, and avoid packaged and processed snacks when you can. We challenge you to eat clean for the entire month of August, and see how you feel at the end! You can start by adding these 2020 healthy food trends to your meals.
- Spend time in nature
Never underestimate the immense healing power of being among nature. Fresh air, peace, and quiet can be extremely relaxing. Even though you’re busy, schedule time throughout National Wellness Month to get outside. You can take a daily walk through the park, go for long hikes, visit the beach, or even plan a camping trip. Bonus points: nature activities are social distancing approved!
- Have a positive mindset
When it comes to mental wellness, a positive outlook can go a long way. During National Wellness Month, take time to notice your thought patterns, and see if you tend to stray toward negative thinking in certain situations. What can you do to change the way you think? Meditation is a great way to bring awareness to your thoughts and feelings, and can also help you change your mindset to one that’s more positive.
- Check in with friends and family
Everyone likes to feel cared for and loved. Especially when times are challenging for everyone, just knowing that somebody is thinking of you is an instant source of joy. So go ahead, spread the love! Call up your family, send funny cards or flowers to your friends, and check in on those you haven’t heard from in a while. The wellness secret of this habit? Making these small gestures of kindness actually has a positive impact on your own mood and mindset, too.
- Get more sleep
This one might be tough, but it’s the perfect challenge for National Wellness Month! Getting more (and better) sleep is a goal many of us have, but just can’t seem to nail down. There are a few tricks to getting more sleep you can try. Sneaking in a few extra minutes of shut-eye can have major wellness-boosting effects, including improved mood, increased energy, and even that coveted “woke up like this” glow.
- Learn to love yourself
Self-love can be a challenge, but it’s an important component of your wellness routine. Practicing positive self-talk, writing your own personal mission statement, and having gratitude for yourself are all stepping stones to loving yourself. Don’t forget about all the fun self-love activities too, like finding a creative hobby, treating yourself to a massage, and doing things you truly enjoy.
Wherever you are in your wellness journey, these 10 National Wellness Month habits are key to lifelong happiness and health. Whether you’re just getting a feel for wellness, or you want to advance your current routine, this list is a great reference to keep wellness at the top of your priority list. Ready to jumpstart your National Wellness Month? Schedule an at-home massage with Soothe.
