Fall Back Into Good Wellness Habits

Each season of 2020 has brought with it new challenges, and each time our life circumstances change, we find new rhythms and habits to keep moving forward. In March and April, you may have noticed it took a lot of effort just to get fresh air and sunlight and keep the pantry stocked. We grew used to wearing masks outside our homes, and as the weather grew warmer, we found new ways to socialize. But with a 24-hour news cycle, it’s impossible to know when another big change is lurking around the corner. You’ve probably had some weeks this year when you were more lenient with the activities you spent your time on and the foods you put in your body, and that’s perfectly valid!

At times, it seemed like we were all going through certain “pandemic phases” together, and at other times, you may have felt completely alone. We are now more than six months into the coronavirus pandemic; our warm and sunny days are running out, and the flu and seasonal affective disorder are poised to make their return. But we have a huge advantage compared to where we were back in March! As the weather gets colder and we have to spend more time indoors again, we know how critical a sense of community is to our wellbeing. We are social distancing pros, and we have enough experience with quarantine life to know our own strengths and weaknesses. We are ready to help each other live our best lives!

Check out some of our best tips for falling back into an intentional, holistic lifestyle indoors:

• Take some time to check in with yourself and recognize what has worked really well for you in terms of your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. What practices came easily during the first months of quarantine, and what was more difficult? What are your goals and priorities for this fall and winter? 
• Make a plan to cultivate or maintain your relationship with yourself. Set aside time to do the things you love, especially relaxation activities that don’t feel “productive,” and honor it. Taking time to fill your own cup is productive and beautiful!
• Find an accountability partner and make regular plans to connect. It can even be someone in your own family! Identify some areas you both want to work on and write them down so you can track your progress.
• Get intentional about being in community with other people. If you can find a way to meet up safely “in real life,” prioritize that! Zoom fatigue is real, and virtual hangouts don’t give us the kind of physical closeness we crave.
• Start each day with something healthy, like a glass of lemon water, a cup of tea or a smoothie. Nurturing yourself first-thing sets the tone for the whole day, and you will find yourself making better choices. It’s also really beneficial for your mood, metabolism and focus to get moving and get your heart rate up first thing in the morning. Engage in whatever kind of movement your body loves, whether it’s yoga or dancing around while you get dressed!
• Study up on seasonal eating and plan some meals around staple ingredients that are more plentiful this time of year, like apples, kale, carrots, broccoli, brussels sprouts and spinach. Not only will it make grocery shopping a bit quicker, but you’ll get more of the nutrients your body needs directly from the source.

There are no perfect answers when it comes to wellness and nutrition. When it comes to the specific ins and outs of what to eat, how to move and what to really focus on in your day-to-day life, you are the number one expert. The one thing that holds most people back is accountability: we are great at making plans, but not always so great at sticking to them. Intentionally connecting with people who will keep you on track with your wellness goals will improve your results and help you maintain a healthy social life while you’re stuck indoors.

Ready to get in touch with a supportive community? Check out our courses and retreats, where you can explore healthy eating, mindfulness practices and more while getting to know others who are working on their own wellness goals.