Wellness Wednesday Wrap
A month into the creation of this site I began sharing “Wellness Wednesday Tips” on the companion Instagram account. While I didn’t post every week, I did share 32 mid-week reminders focused on simple, approachable self-care.
As I shared at the beginning of the year, self-care is one of my core values. I appreciate that it can be an all-encompassing approach to wellness and health, supporting physical, emotional and mental needs. For me, self-care shows up in both big and small ways, from regular exercise and daily vitamins to the few quiet minutes I take each evening to wash my face.
With the next couple of Wednesdays falling on holidays, I decided to gather these posts and share them together as we move into final week (or so) of the year. I’ve compiled all 32 tips here, with the hope that one or two might resonate and become a practice you return to more often.
Move your body for five minutes; walk, stretch or dance to give your body the movement it needs and deserves
Unplug; take a break from social media and screens for an hour
Identify your emotions; take a few moments to reflect on what you’re feeling right now.
Take a few deep breaths; fully filling your lungs and then breathing out as long as possible.
Listen to music; choose music based on if you want to stay in the energy and mood you’re currently in or if you need something to change it up
Declutter your workspace; A quick 5-minute tidy-up can help improve focus and reduce stress.
Spend some time with your pet; this has been shown to reduce stress and boost mood.
Enjoy a small pleasure. Treat yourself to a piece of chocolate, a fancy coffee or something else you love.
Hydrate Mindfully; drink a glass of water slowly, focusing on how it feels as you nourish your body
Posture check; roll your shoulders back, stretch your neck and sit up tall
Creative pause; doodle, journal or colour for a few minutes - no pressure, just fun
Practice Mindfulness through one of your five senses.
Press your feet into the floor and remember to be right here, right now.
Give someone a compliment. This small act can go so far! It has the potential to strengthen your relationships, boost your mood and the mood of the recipient, create a positive atmosphere and direct your brain to focus on positives. (Link)
Take a 5 minute mental vacation: This can mean visualizing yourself somewhere you find relaxing like the beach, daydreaming about a desired future or doing a short mediation that brings you somewhere peaceful.
Consider words of wisdom, encouragement or calming that will support you for the remainder of the week. A mantra can anchor you, giving clarity and focus.
Write a gratitude list. Jot down just a few things that you’re appreciative of today.
Do one thing just because it it brings joy. No outcome, no productivity - just pleasure.
Reverse to-do list. Instead of the usual list of what you need to do, write a list of three things you’ve already accomplished today, no matter how small. It’s a quick self-esteem boost.
Step outside to soak up a little sunshine today. Just five minutes of sun can boost your Vitamin D and your mood.
Find something interesting about an ordinary thing in your everyday life. This can generate curiosity and appreciation for the familiar.
Play some ambient sound (rainfall, Tibetan bowls, binaural beats) and close your eyes for 10 minutes.
Take 15 minutes to read an article, listen to a podcast or watch a video on something you’re curious about.
Reconnect with purpose. Write down one value guiding your week (e.g., compassion, curiosity, mindfulness) and one simple act that expresses it in the second half of your week.
What kind of energy do you need today? Focus, calm, joy, or release? Build or find a playlist that fits what you’re needing. Music can be a small act of self-care that shifts everything
Laugh. Whatever it is that makes you giggle, seek it out. Spend 10 minutes engaging with content that makes you laugh. Use this to reset your mood and lighten tension.
Choose one act of self-care or relaxation for your weekend. Setting that intention today makes it more likely you’ll actually do it and gives you something lovely to look forward to.
Choose one thing to savour: A sip of tea, the warmth of a blanket, the smell of dinner. Just pause and notice it for 5 seconds.
Name your intention for the next hour: Something like “steady,” “kind,” or “focused.” A small reset without needing a full plan.
Swap one scroll for one still moment: When you catch yourself reaching for your phone, pause and take a breath before deciding if you still want to scroll.
Slow one ordinary action: pouring your coffee, washing your hands, watering your plants ; just for a moment, do it a little slower.
Give yourself some appreciation. Pause and name one thing you’ve already done well this week.