So, you want to feel better but maybe you are like me and find that keeping up and adopting new “trending” wellness regiments only seems to add more stress, rather than alleviate it. A journey towards living well is just that, a journey, with an intentional beginning and an ongoing honest reflection of oneself.

We go to great lengths to “feel good” but how many of us make a conscious effort in taking the time to process when we are not? This is far from a self-help article, but it is calling to attention something more pertinent in the community of wellness; self-awareness.

Too often I find that the general populace is bombarded with a surplus of information from (quite possibly) good intentioned wellness experts and gurus explaining why celery juice is the cure-all for many of your life’s problems.

To avoid those overwhelming crash and burn moments or the feelings of added stress when trying to find the perfect beginner-friendly yoga class, we wanted to provide some simple and effective ways to assist feeling like a better you – mind, body and spirit!

Living well supersedes the latest classes and juice cleanses. Confronting your stressors and identifying key reasons for what may be causing stress in your life could be a great start towards optimizing new wellness practices you may be more inclined to try (and hopefully implement) on a more regular basis.

This isn’t to say that certain wellness activities and regiments are not beneficial. However, they are only beneficial to us when we can identify what our mind or body needs. Feeling well truly begins with acknowledging when we may not be, and honoring those feelings by identifying what could be the potential cause is a key first step.

Quick tips on living well:

• Keep a stress journal: Writing down what is stressing you can be a productive way of releasing the crowdedness of the mind. Try writing or keep a notebook for deeper reflection to help identify what challenges you are dealing with, whether it’s physical, emotional, etc.
• Go outside: Sometimes changing your environment can be the quickest way to change your perception on a given situation. Taking an average-pace walk gets your endorphins up and mind more connected to the body. A little nature and some fresh air can be the perfect reset button you need.
• Breathe: Sounds simple, but taking a moment to close your eyes, sit in a quiet place, and take in some deep soothing breaths can help boost oxygen levels and settle minor anxieties throughout the day. At each inhale breathe in from your nose counting one to ten and exhale from your mouth counting down ten to one, repeat 3-5 times or until your only focus is that of your breath.
• Gratitude: Speaking or writing out what you are grateful for is a simple practice that takes no special It does, however, shift your focus on what isn’t going right to what has (or is) working in your favor!
• Eat clean: Before you grab that pack of cookies or down another coffee, brighten up your plate with colorful whole grains, fresh veggies, and fruit. Consider adding: walnuts, raw almonds, snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, apples, berries or citrus fruits which are natural energizers. The more fresh, raw, and colorful your meal is, the better. These make great snack alternatives and are packed with nutrients that your body and mind will thank you for!

Hopefully, with these tips, you too can take care of yourself by listening more intently, acknowledging when things may feel a little off, and taking small steps towards activities that address the anxieties or indifferent feelings that naturally crowd our daily lives.

It’s okay to pause, declutter, and simplify taking care of the most important relationship you’ll spend growing with – that abundant and proactive individual being none other than yourself!