Must-Haves for Every Wellness Toolkit

It takes consistent effort and attention to create a strong, healthy mind, that is an integral part of overall well-being. According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation helps maintain emotional health, cope with stress and anxiety, reduces negative emotions, increases creativity, and restores inner peace. So keep your favorite guided meditations on standby for your wellness toolkit. Just push play and let the inner calm begin!

Soaking in a hot bath has many physical and mental health benefits. This simple wellness ritual doesn’t just keep you clean, it may also reduce stress and depression, according to Health Essentials from the Cleveland Clinic. Infuse a warm bath with sweet smelling Epsom salts – a natural mineral salt product that soothes muscles and joints – , natural bath salt, or Dead Sea mineral salts.

A cup of tea can work wonders when it comes to your health. When you know which tea to drink, you can use tea like a natural medicine. For a little energy boost, brew up some green or black tea. Sip lavender tea to calm your nerves. Lemongrass tea can help when you feel a little blue. Or try chamomile to cure insomnia and relax at the end of the day. 

Exercise and physical activity do wonders for your wellbeing. Not only does it keep your body strong, it may also help you sleep better, reduce stress, and to keep your immune system strong, according to research from the National Institute on Aging.

You don’t need expensive equipment to stay active. Think of a simple yoga mat as your gym space. With a yoga mat, you can practice meditation or enjoy a yoga session to build strength and flexibility. Bring it to a class or enjoy yoga at-home or at your local park. You can also use your mat for strength training, like pushups and crunches. After all your hard work, make time for a few minutes of savasana – a moment of quiet meditation –  laying on your back.

Keeping a gratitude journal helps you focus on what you have. Make a habit of writing down reasons to be grateful, especially when feeling down. This will help boost your mood and help you feel happier. Journaling may also reduce stress and could even help you sleep better.

Affirmations are positive statements. When you repeat affirmations, you help transform negative thoughts into positive ones. Think of a few go-to affirmations that you can repeat them out loud whenever you notice self-doubt. Some examples include: “I feel safe and grounded”, “I flow with inspiration and creativity”, or “I am surrounded by love”. 

A friend is always just a phone call away. If you feel overwhelmed, sometimes you just need to talk to someone to help gain perspective. Keeping pain inside only makes things worse according to Psychology Today. So make a habit of having that go-to friend to lean on. Sharing your thoughts with a person you trust will help work through problems, instead of keeping them bottled up.

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