What wellness means to you may differ from what it means to someone else, especially with all the hype around health and wellness lately. In my life and with the coaching I do, your health is a part of your wellness. But your wellness goes deeper.
What Wellness Means to a Busy, Well Mom
An understanding of wellness is captured best in this definition from the University of California, Davis. “Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change and growth. It is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
But, life!
There was a time that I remember living on autopilot – hopping from task to task and feeling so drained that I couldn’t wait to get into my bed. I call that surviving. I now have a different mindset that brings me to a place of thriving. With this feeling of wellness, my home is the heart of everything I do. When my home and heart are happy, I am well and thriving. Maybe you can relate?
Instead of being on auto-pilot, checking the boxes, and then excited for bed, wellness means being physically healthy and energized. It means loving our families, creating a peaceful, happy home, and truly cherishing the moments.
Achieving a complete state of wellness required me to find a simple plan I could stick to. It involves lots of self care. It is all about what we do, what we eat, and how we live. Mind, body, soul.
With each season, this wellness looks a bit different. Even if you love the beautiful colors, pumpkin festivals, and bonfires of fall like I do, be mindful that your mind, body, and soul need to be nurtured as they transition, too.
Here are some suggestions for fall.
9 Healthy Habits To Help You Transition and Enjoy Fall
Be Mindful of What You Do
Even on your busiest days, make time for self care in the form of both healthy motion and quiet time.
1. Practice yoga. You will find yoga classes in so many places – at your local gym or wellness center and online, from simple 10-minute stretching practices to longer, more rigorous strength building sessions and everything in between.
2. Walking or hiking. Take a walk down to the beach, in the beauty of nature, or on a new hiking trail. Get “lost” outside for even 15 minutes to start. Daily movement improves your mood and body’s ability to heal.
3. Do a daily mini-meditation. My daughter suggested we try this and now I am obsessed! I do the meditation classes offered through my Peloton account but you can also find tons of great classes on YouTube.
Be Wise About What You Eat
By making small consistent changes in what you eat and drink, you can begin to lose weight and feel more energized like I did.
4. Drink lots of water. Drinking lots of water keeps me feeling energized and benefits my overall health. Water helps in numerous ways but here are a few:
Helps your joints, muscles, and organs to work properly
Supports brain health
Helps ensure healthy bowel movements and detoxification
Aids in weight loss
Keeps your skin and hair softer
I have found that carrying around a large water bottle helps me get the water drinking task done each day. Click here for my favorite. A pretty water bottle some how makes it go down easier.
5. Cook at home more often. Your meals don’t have to be complex. A grilled or steamed protein, vegetable cooked with extra virgin olive oil or organic butter, and a little salt and pepper make a healthy, simple meal! Our meals together are a family favorite!
6. Eat seasonally – more pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and squash! Make healthy, hearty pumpkin bread or muffins to celebrate the season. Check out my gluten and diary free Pumpkin Muffin recipe – they are a family favorite. There are so many ways to cook squash and sweet potatoes – raw, riced, steamed, grilled, mashed, sauteed, roasted, spiralized into noodles. Experiment and have fun!
Be Intentional With How You Live
Notice what acts energize you, help you reset, and bring positivity as you and your family transition to the new season.
7. Get organized. Organizing my home clears my mind and helps me stay focused on my health and wellness. Update your family calendar – Cozi Calendar is our favorite online family organizer app – definitely check it out to keep the whole family in sync. Decide your family’s routine for packing lunches and make sure you have the supplies you need. Put bins or boxes in place to help make coming and going less crazed or messy! After all, you’re the mom and “gatekeeper” of your homes, much of what you do, your family will follow!
8. Slow down for self care. It’s not selfish. In fact, you’ll probably find, like I did, that you have plenty of time to take care of the other things on your list and feel happier about doing them.
Curl up on your favorite cozy chair with a blanket and a great book.
Head to the spa for a facial or massage (even a quick mani/pedi on busy days).
Listen to your favorite podcasts.
Unplug from social media for the day (this one makes a HUGE difference).
9 Plan a fun weekend event. Give yourself time to absorb the essence of fall with a fun event. It doesn’t need to be big or expensive but it does need to be FUN – maybe a fall festival!
Hopefully now you have a better picture of what wellness means to me and what it can mean for you, too. It’s not just about being healthy. It’s not just about getting through the day, checking the boxes on your list, and loving your family while you do. It’s about slowing down and simplifying. It’s about living intentionally and loving the life you’ve created. The best way to do that is to take a look at what you do, what you eat, and how you live – then make simple changes that serve you better.
If my version of what wellness means sounds good to you, subscribe to my blog and get some encouragement and tips to help you be well.
