10 practices that actually moved the needle towards my well-being
from a past chronically obsessed wellness girlie
Confession: I used to be like, SO obsessed with my wellness routines to a point that if I didn’t get it ALL in (if I didn’t read for exactly 20 minutes, go outside and put my feet in the grass, meditate for another 20, then journal and write precisely 10 things I’m grateful for) it would literally derail my day. Like… negative self talk myself up a wall, completely ruin my mood type of thing.
Not because I needed those things to have a good day — but because I was treating wellness as a checklist.
I know, pretty obsessive and wildly unsustainable, and also not really wellness??? Since then, while still very devoted to my habits, I’ve had a perspective shift. All of the above things are absolutely fantastic rituals, but it’s really not wellness if it’s coming from a place of force.
Sure, I believe in discipline, but I was doing those things as a means to prove to myself that I was the type of person who accomplished those things, just to realize it was causing more mental stress than mental relief.
I almost think there is TOO much info out there in the health and wellness world. It can become hard to establish feel good habits that feel authentic and actually helpful to you. The internet is a fascinating tool, but information overload is real and if we aren’t truly stepping back to experiment in our own lives what works for us, we will always get caught up in the idea that we should adopt everything we see on the Instagram Reels page.
So, here’s a list of my 10 tried and true, simple + attainable habits that have really left a genuine impact based on my learnings from that old version of me — the ones that have really stuck. My goal here is gentle inspiration, so maybe you will find some more tools that align with your version of wellness.
1. Any kind of meditation
Meditation does not have to look like sitting in silence and thinking about nothing. Meditation can also be:
Riding your bike and just being with your thoughts
Cooking your favorite meal slowly
Walking listening to the sounds of nature
Crafting
Bird watching
Hiking
2. Devoting time to a mobility practice
Modern life is set up to make us sedentary. Taking the time in my 20’s to prime my body in functional ways not only feels good in my current body, but will pay dividends to my future body. This is one of those habits that never feels like a waste of time.
I have so much inspo for this on my Instagram if this one motivates you!
3. 5 minutes of morning solitude
This looks different every single day for me. Sometimes it’s reading a book, sometimes it’s journaling, other times it’s going outside and putting my feet in the grass and ice rolling my face — whatever it is, make it something slow, nourishing, and really notice it.
It could literally be sitting in full awareness while taking slow sips of your coffee.
And it doesn’t have to look the same everyday to be classified as “routine”. The part about this that feels so good is that you are not bound to any particular activity. You get to decide based on your energy levels.
4. Creating a sleep sanctuary
I like to solely think of my bedroom as a place for rest and sleep. Ditching TV, my phone, and ALL tech really helps my brain associate this space for completely unplugging and sleep as my #1 job.
Here are things that help my bedroom feel like a dreamy place to unwind:
Clean, uncluttered nightstand
I have a beeswax candle, one book, some magnesium, and a lamp
Blackout curtains
Hatch alarm clock
Amber light bulbs in my lamps
Indoor plants
Cold room
All of these things reinforce the habit of prioritizing my sleep hygiene.
5. Reading for enjoyment, not learning
I have a tendency to think I’m falling behind if I’m not participating in something productive, so I tend to reach for health or self development books to “half relax, half learn” 🤣
However, letting myself get lost in a fiction book has really helped this tendency because that engaged reading flow feels so good. I am slowly learning I do not need be “making myself better” in all of life’s activities. I can just be and enjoy.
6. Recognizing the macro habits > micro habits
It can be super easy to get caught up in hyper specific, micro practices especially if you are interested in holistic health. We are always seeing a new craze over a supplement, practice, or tool to enhance our routines.
One thing I know is true: we all need deep sleep, to move our bodies, genuine connection, and to nourish ourselves with real food. This is going to drive our quality of life the most.
All of the other stuff is just complementary fluff. The above is the biggest part of the health equation and will contribute to the most measurable outcomes.
It took me a while to learn this.
7. Play (literally play) outside
I think us humans have lost the plot when it comes to finding simple enjoyment. Exhibit A: literally me trying to feel something by carrying out 109227 wellness habits in my morning routine thinking it was the key to more enjoyment and well-being in my days.
When we think of wellness, why do our minds immediately turn to fancy gadgets and complex routines? I find the most effective thing that’s helped me whenever I feel scattered by responsibilities or overwhelmed by life is to go outside and get into my body, which in turn heightens my Frisbee, basketball, and slack lining have turned some of my hardest days around.
The outside world heals.
8. Doing activities your 5 year old self would enjoy
I swear making time to color, paint, go to a pottery class, or play a fun game, has fulfilled a part of me that I didn’t know needed filled up. There is something about indulging in a creative endeavor solely for enjoyment and without the pressure of being good at it.
Think about it, 5 year old you was not there harping on themselves about their creations — they were actually stoked and overly proud of showing it off, and excited to participate in something cool and new.
Inviting more of this into my life has done a number on my well-being.
9. Strength training
Lifting heavy things. I will never stop touting this. Strength training just gives us so much bang for our buck.
In the short term; improved mood, better sleep, boosted confidence, more energy
In the long term; increased muscle mass & bone density, reduced risk of chronic disease, better joint health and stability, enhanced cognitive function, & so much more
10. Making your favorite food items from scratch
I have found this to be so meditative, creative, and fulfilling, and I think it’s because I feel more connected to my food.
I find myself asking myself more and more now - “I wonder if I could make this better at home”, and I honestly think it’s a combination of many things; physically making the item with your own hands, seeing it go from recipe on a screen to a creation right there in your own kitchen, and of course, the reward of when it tastes better than you expected.
I’ve learned that overcomplicating wellness just doesn’t serve us. In the end, we all want to be well so we can enjoy our lives more, not perceive wellness as a chore.
I think it’s really special that we as humans we have this ability to gauge our preferences, likes, and dislikes.
I always say, these are all just tools in the toolbox. Be okay with removing and adding tools, and you will find which ones you reach for the most.
In health,
Hanna