had no other choice but to include myself on my own priority list, and take care of my body and mind in order to continue to be of service to my community. For me, those changes involved moving to a more peaceful living environment, incorporating more yoga into my week, using talk therapy as a place to vent, ensuring that I stopped work by 6pm to create a healthy work schedule, carving out time for a proper meal, creating healthy boundaries, and working on improving my sleep patterns. Doing these things not only made me feel better and alleviated most of my symptoms; it also reenergized me, and made me a better support to the people in my life. August is National Wellness Month and a good reminder to take time each day to nurture our mental and physical well being in order to be the best versions of ourselves. Research has shown that self care can help manage stress and promote happiness. Here are 31 ideas to consider as wellness exercises for the month of August. It is good practice to help you incorporate self care into your daily life, all year. After all, we should be climbing the mountain of life with ease, not carrying its weight on our shoulders.
31 Days of Wellness • B e grateful. Think of everything beautiful in your life, and say “thank you”. • Take 10 minutes to stretch when you wake up, and then again before bed. • Go outside for a walk or a hike for 10 minutes, or an entire afternoon. • Make a pot of tea with your favorite flowers like dried roses, lavender, chamomile, or chrysanthemum and inhale the fragrant aromas while you sip it. • Have some time alone, even if it is just 10 minutes. • Drink a full 8 glasses of water. • Meditate for 20 minutes. • Turn off social media for the day and be present. • Take a luxurious bath with Epsom salts and bath oils. • Give yourself a foot massage before bed. • Experiment with a new workout. • Organize your calendar, and carve out time for your needs too. • Turn on music and dance around your house. • Spend an hour with a novel.
• C ook up a veggie-filled soup and freeze leftovers, so you have meals ahead. • Make a healthy smoothie with veggies, fruits, and protein (I like a scoop of almond butter). • Give your mind a workout with a crossword puzzle or a fun game (Scrabble is my personal fave). • Spend some time journaling your thoughts, writing a poem, or short story. • Get in bed without your phone by 9 p.m. and sleep well. • Go a whole day without foods that have added sugar. • Spend 20 minutes with a heating pad on your neck, shoulders, or back. • Spend 10 minutes with deep, focused breathing. • Try drawing, coloring, or painting with relaxing music. • Add a green veggie to every meal or snack. • Have a meal, tea, or a glass of wine with a friend. • Try to focus on one thing at a time. Be present in the moment. • Try a yoga class or any class of your choice. • Treat yourself to fresh flowers. • Clean out and organize a closet or a room. • T ake yourself on a picnic with a view. • Find a beautiful spot to watch the sunrise or sunset. Natasha Kubis is a licensed acupuncturist and certified yoga teacher. For more information, visit acuwellhealth.com August 2020 | thesofiamagazine.com
11