Self-care and wellness are big buzzwords these days, and for good reason… Taking time to focus on ourselves and well-being have positive effects on how we feel and interact with the world around us. We turned to two experts for their favorite ways to minimize the toll of every-day stress, enhance our surroundings and give ourselves the attention we all deserve.
Curb your screen time.
You’ve heard it before and we’ll tell you again, put down the iPhone. Wellness expert Juhi Singh of New York City’s Juhi Center’s first piece of advice: “Limit electronic use when you are not at work. We get very caught up in our phones and technology that we forget how to just be by ourselves. It’s also helpful to curb the amount of time you spend on social media throughout the day, and put your phone in another room or shut it off when you go sleep.”
Get outside.
Holistic wellness doctor Dr. Eudene Harry of Orlando, Florida shares, “According to a study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology in 2019, just five minutes sitting in nature improves mood, decreases negative feelings and increases your sense of being in awe and wonder at being a part of something bigger than yourself.” If you have more time, combine being in nature with exercise, such as taking a hike or simply taking a walk through a tree-lined park if you live in a city. “This can reduce your heart rate and improve your ability to recover from stressful events.”
Soak yourself.
Singh is a big believer in baths for enhancing wellness, whether for your entire body or just your feet if you don’t have a tub. “Baths are a great way to unwind before bed and after a long day,” and she recommends incorporating essential oils (particularly lavender, chamomile and frankincense for de-stressing). “A hot foot soak with epsom or sea salt can have the same relaxing effects, especially if followed by a foot massage with a golf ball to knead tired feet and stimulate acupressure points.”
Try coloring.
If you feel overwhelmed and need a little peace and quiet, consider an adult coloring book. “This distraction gives the brain the space it needs to tackle the problem while you focus on the joys of choosing the colors that make you feel better,” says Dr. Harry, who adds that yellow and other bright colors are ideal if you need a mental pick-me-up.
Embrace Hygge.
“Pronounced hoo-ga, this Danish way-of-life embodies a feeling of cozy, contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life,” explains Singh. This path to wellness can be as easy as curling up with a blanket, lighting a few candles or putting on your most comfortable pants that you’d never wear outside of the house.
