August is National Wellness Month, which means it’s a great time to start a new healthy habit that nourishes your body and mind. After all, when it comes to your wellness, your mindset matters just as much as your physique. That’s why we’ve compiled 4 of our favorite ways to promote wellness.
Give Yoga a Try
For a workout that feeds your mind and strengthens your muscles, try a new yoga class! Not only will the session make you sweat, but it also packs in a ton of extra physical benefits, like increased flexibility, stronger muscles, and maybe even reduced chronic pain. While all that is happening on the outside, the mix of meditation and deep breathing can help you get centered, shake off stress, and even improve your concentration.
With over 100 schools of yoga and classes for every level, you’ll have no trouble experimenting to see which style works best for you. And if you’re feeling too nervous to jump right into a class, warm up at home with these yoga poses.
Practice Meditation
Meditation, a practice that encourages you to observe and understand your thoughts, feelings, and reactions, is becoming increasingly popular in our busy world. Meditation aims to help you realize that while you don’t have control over all the events in your life, you do have control over the way you respond to them. This kind of mindfulness can be a great stress-management tool, and may be just what you need during Wellness Month.
Feeling overwhelmed, but still not sure if meditation is right for you? Try out a free trial of a meditation app like Headspace or Calm. They both offer guided meditation for all levels, so you’ll be able to start strong and keep going back day after day.
Unplug
It’s amazing how much technology can do nowadays, but sometimes, you need to unplug. According to a 2018 Nielson study, American adults now spend over 10 hours a day interacting with media - no wonder it’s so easy to feel stressed or overwhelmed! Take a day to truly unplug; turn off the TV, silence your phone, and spend time doing something that makes you smile. Whether it’s alone or with a loved one, time away from a screen could be just what you need to feel refreshed!
Try Something New
Doing new things is a great way to reconnect with yourself. Not only does it stimulate creativity and help you find new hobbies, but it also helps you learn more about yourself. Plus, some studies have shown that getting out of your comfort zone may create new neural connections in your brain, which protect against cognitive decline.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Wellness Month, make sure you’re taking care of your mind and body. Looking for more articles to help improve your health and support your heart? What about ways to live an active, healthy lifestyle as you get older? Check out more helpful articles just like this one!
