Celebrate National Wellness Month

We observe National Wellness Month* in August, emphasizing self-care, stress reduction, and the promotion of healthy practices. To feel like our best self, we need to adopt healthy behaviors and prioritize self-care. The concept behind National Wellness Month is that self-care is essential if we are to accomplish great things in the world, creatively, personally, professionally, locally, community wide, or globally. 

*Ok National Wellness Month is basically a hallmark holiday created by a wellness spa in 2018 BUT the idea of a National Wellness Month feels important so I am running with it even if it is more an idea of a month than a actual official awareness month :) 

  

Since it is easy for us to fall into ruts and forget all the possibilities available to us here is a collection of a few self love activities to spark your creativity. I have broken them down by category (Embodiment/ Sense of Touch, Sense of Smell, Sense of Hearing, Sense of Sight, Sense of Taste, Mental Wellbeing, Connection/Community and Caring For Your Physical Space) depending on what you are seeking.

There is no right or wrong way to practice self love. If the term self love stresses you out remember to expand your definition of self love. And in most cases self love is gentle nudges not a totally reframing of your life. In the end whatever you choose to do can be a form or self love, and your self love can look like anything you can dream up. 

Embodiment/Sense of Touch:

• Movement: Yoga, Walking, Biking, Dancing, Etc.
• Self Massage 
• Using Lotion
• Weighted Blanket
• Walking Barefoot (On Grass, On Sand, In Water Etc.)

Sense of Smell:

• Smelling Flowers, Fruits, Nature
• Burning Candles or Incense
• Baking or Cooking Something That Smells Yummy
• Opening Windows For Fresh Air
• Using Essential Oils 

Sense of Hearing:

• Listening to Music (Live or Recorded)
• Listening to White Noise (Waves Crashing, Thunderstorm, Etc.)
• Listening to a Podcast
• Listening Poetry or Short Stories Being Read
• Listening to Silence

Sense of Sight:

• Enjoying an Art Gallery/Museum
• Wearing Your Favorite Color
• Walking Around a Garden
• Watching a Cartoon, TV Show, or Movie You Love
• Coloring 

Sense of Taste:

• Savoring Your Favorite Foods
• Savoring Your Favorite Drinks (Tea, Coffee, Hot Cocoa, Juice)
• Brushing Your Teeth With a Nice Tasting Toothpaste
• Enjoying a "Tasting" With A Professional
• Creating Your Own "Tasting" Pairings

Your Mental Wellness

• Journal
• Meditate
• Try Therapy
• Make Art
• Have a Dance Party

Connection/Community

• Join a Book Club
• Go to an Open Mic
• Join a Club/Class
• Hang Out At Your Favorite Library/Bookstore
• Hang Out (In Person or Online) With Others Who Love Your Fandoms

Caring For Your Physical Space

• Do a Micro-Cleaning Project (Put Away 5-10 Items)
• Donate or Trash What Has Become Clutter/No Longer Brings Joy
• Adding a Plant or Cut Flowers to Your Space
• Changing Your Sheets, Towels, Decorative Pillows, Etc.
• Moving Furniture Around To Gain A New Looking Space