Ways to wellbeing

There are lots of ways to look after ourselves, even if time and money are tight! By Angelique Kasmara

When you’re already weighed down by family commitments, work, and daily pressures, it’s all too easy to put your own wellbeing last.

Yet making a priority of your physical and psychological health creates a foundation for wellness, and replenishes the resources you need to extend compassion to others as well.

There is plenty of sound evidence to suggest that most self-care activities reduce stress, which amongst other things helps your body strengthen its immune system.

Self-care will also help quieten your inner critic, working towards a more expansive and positive way of being.

You’ll feel more productive when you learn to say ‘no’ to anything that stretches your resources, which in turn will help bring your goals into sharper focus.

There are a number of ways you can achieve a routine for wellness without having to rearrange your entire life.

From incorporating a daily five-minute meditation, to learning methods of getting on top of your finances, there are attainable goals out there in your self-care journey.

Finding out what works for you is key. Self-care means different things for different people.

With this in mind, we’ve provided a few ideas to get you thinking about what your priorities may be, that you can start right now.

Also, introducing many small, nourishing habits into our daily routines will gradually bring long-term rewards for your mind, body, and soul.

Try one or two of these every day!

Physical Self-Care

Dance to a couple of your favourite tracks.

Make one small, healthy addition to your diet each day. Squeeze turmeric and lemon into a juice, eat an extra piece of fruit.

Aim to get an extra hour’s sleep.

Get 20 minutes of sun (or cloud: you’ll still get your Vitamin D).

Have a go-to meal. Keeping on top of your nutritional needs isn’t always easy. Come up with a couple of nutritious standbys you can whip up easily and won’t make too much mess - it can be as simple as baking a potato in the microwave for 5 minutes and adding favourite toppings. Potatoes have potassium, magnesium, copper, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron and a surprising amount of protein, making them more nutritious than other starchy options!

Increase your hydration by introducing more water-dense foods into your diet such as cucumber, celery, watermelon, strawberries, or tomatoes.

Spiritual Self-Care

Spend an hour doing something that feeds your soul. Reading a book, visiting a gallery, going to a religious service, attending a talk.

Find 5 unexpected beautiful things each day. A lush piece of bright green moss, an unusual leaf, a spiderweb.

Ask for help - reach out.

Sit in nature for a few minutes. It doesn’t have to be a park or the beach - enjoying a nearby tree counts!

Social Self-Care

Say hi to a neighbour.

Edit your social media feed. Unfollow anyone who’s causing stress.

Sit in a ‘third space’ which may be a library, a park, the mall— anywhere public. Quietly observe people. Note their positives: an outfit you like, someone with a kind face.

Call a friend you’ve been wanting to check in with.

Professional Self-Care

Have a daily ritual to set you up for a positive day ahead. It may be discussing the latest TV show or sports results with a coworker, or enjoying that first cup of coffee.

If you have a desk job, take a break every 20 minutes. Get up, walk around. Check that your computer isn’t too close to your eyes— about 50 cm away is good.

If your job involves physical labour, bring a small tube of hand cream to work. Take a few minutes each day to rub it in. As well as soothing your skin, this action helps relax your muscles. Try a cream with relaxing or other aromatherapy qualities.

Write a wishlist. What would you really like to achieve in your professional life? Then write one small thing you can do to reach that goal. Add new goals as you achieve what’s on your wishlist.

Financial Self-Care

Cancel subscriptions. Is there anything you subscribe to that you’re not using?

Reduce food waste. For example, separate foods that cause ethylene gas, such as bananas, away from ethylene sensitive food, such as apples, to help avoid premature spoilage.

Be intentional with your money. Note your spending by keeping track of your receipts. Borrow items that you only need on occasion instead of buying them. Or, consider a share system with friends or family.

Take your time. Before making a purchase, check pricing online, look up a few reviews. This will help with getting a better deal and also help you decide if you really want the item or not.

Environmental Self-Care

Declutter a corner of your lounge / bedroom / kitchen.

Fix a small annoyance that’s been bugging you - chop off those small threads of frayed carpet, get a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker for your letterbox.

Pick up rubbish. This may sound like a chore, but if you’re in a park you regularly frequent, or even just walking down your street, picking up the odd thing or two and putting it in the nearest bin feels good, and makes your immediate environment a more pleasant place to inhabit.

Buy secondhand next time you need an item - it’s fun!

Psychological Self-Care

Take a few minutes to focus on your breathing. Close your eyes; take deep breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

Check yourself when you hear your inner critic feeding you negative thoughts. Turn it around. Imagine that voice is your best friend, giving you words of encouragement.

Watch something funny. Even a short You Tube clip will release endorphins!

Make a vision board. Fill it with favourite photos, inspirational quotes, and beautiful pictures.