It is never too late, or even too early, to begin my mental and physical goals to keep myself grounded and healthy. Even though I already find myself a week into February, it’s time to start the intentions that were thought up at the beginning of the new year.
I hope to continue doing each intention throughout the year, and building off of each at every new year that follows. Here are the ways that I am boosting my wellbeing this year:
Each day, I am setting an intention to look with love and hope into myself and into the world. Doing this helps keep me on my wellness track.
I use many apps to trace my progress day to day. However, I find the @Breathe app has been the most helpful by tracking my emotions, and meditations daily. While other times I prefer to sit in silence, this app helps to acknowledge my own growth and how I can build myself up each day. Plus you get stickers for hitting milestones, which is a fun and motivating way for me to keep myself accountable.
Eating vegan and planning meals.
The preparation and execution of meal planning has helped me to become more conscious about what I’m eating and the groceries I purchase every week.
I’ve been bouncing around certain blogs for inspiration, I am thankful that these foodies are helping me stay motivated to eat healthy. Some go-to blogs to check out and follow are @hotforfood and @livshealthylife.
These two blogs have really helped me stay on track and also create meals that are both yummy and worth sharing! Even my own family want to try my kitchen creations. Rule of thumb is to always make a little extra, in case hungry dads are on the prowl. It always makes me happy to share my food, and have surprised tasters.
Similarly, drinking more water is another goal of mine. It sounds so simple, but it’s something we all often forget. Less coffee and more water! I shocked myself when I went the whole month of January not drinking coffee!
I bought myself a Swell bottle with the intention to fill it every morning and finish one by lunch and then another by dinner. So far so good. It makes drinking water easier to take.
Reading more books. Less news articles and social media.
I finished one book for January, a book by Brene Brown which helped motivate me to dive into vulnerability on a deeper level and not seeing it as a weakness and more of a strength! How empowering!
So this month I'm tackling another book, Awakening the Buddha Within. I've just started it, but so far I am enjoying the positive message of love. It has helped me realize how I can put buddhist intentions into everything I do.
If you have any books I should be reading let me know! I’m happy to put another book on the list. Books are an excellent way to help me off social media and let my brain focus on something else for a while.
I bought a new pair of skates. I haven’t had skates since I was in middle school! Of course my feet have grown since then and I thought as a Canadian I deserve a new pair of skates @bauerhockey!
Skating has helped me get outside, breathe the cold air, and get my heart going. I go out for an hour once a week and work up a sweat. It feels great and gives you the rush you can’t get on a treadmill. I’m trying to work up my stamina again and this has been great practice. Slow and steady.
It’s also nice to see people who live in my town skating with their kids and enjoying winter sports! Being active is one of those things that helps beat the winter blues that generally set in around January and February too!
All these little changes in my routine have helped me feel better mentally, physically and emotionally.
I know these are not earth shattering changes, but a little bit of work goes a long way and I’m willing to push a little further each day to see results. So far I’ve impressed myself. And I’m certain you can too.
How do you beat the winter blues?
What are some of the ways that you get yourself motivated and feeling great?
What are some intentions you’ve set for this month that you hope to accomplish?
Let me know, I’d love to hear about it.
