You don’t need to overhaul your entire life in the pursuit of health and wellbeing. It’s the ordinary things that you do every day – getting enough sleep, eating well, moving your body – that make the biggest difference. And rather than trying to change everything in a week, it’s best to start with something small and manageable. Here are five ideas to get you on the road to a sustainable wellbeing routine that actually fits around real life.
Give yourself permission to sleep and rest
Good sleep is essential and it all starts with a basic bedtime routine. Keep your bedroom cool and dark, put your phone down half an hour (or longer) before bed and stick to roughly the same sleep and wake up times. Small details such as fresh sheets, an engrossing bedside book and softer evening lightingcan signal that it’s time to switch off and help you not get distracted by work tasks or entertainment. Remember that ‘rest’ doesn’t have to mean going to sleep – twenty relaxing minutes with a cup of tea might be all that you need to unwindfrom stresses throughout the day.
Give your body the nutrition it needs
Forget all those complicated food rules and diets. Just aim for variety, with plenty of fruit and vegetables alongside good sources of protein, wholegrains and healthy fats. Make it easy for yourself by adding a few berries to breakfast, throwing shredded spinach into pasta sauce or keeping a bag of nuts and fruit on hand when you’re having a busy afternoon. Of course, it’s not possible to eat a fully healthy diet all of the time, which is why hair loss vitamins for women are now a key supplement to many hair-care routines.
Make movement part of everyday routines
You don’t need to do a punishing gym session in order tobring movement into your life. Walk to the shops instead of taking the bus, dance in the kitchen while dinner cooks or take a Saturday morning swim. Choose something you enjoy so much that you can’t wait to repeat it. A 20-minute walk in the park with an audiobook three times a week is more useful in the long run than formulating an overly-ambitious fitness plan that you abandon after ten days.
Turn everyday tasks into small moments of self-care
Self-care can be the most ordinary thing. Apply a face mask and leave it to set while you read for a bit, take an extra-longshower or spend ten minutes doing your nails rather than doomscrolling through your phone. The activity doesn’t matter – you’re just looking for ways to give yourself a bit of breathing room. You can make it even easier by attaching a small ritual to something you already do in your day.
Connect with your friends and community
You don’t have to engage in wellbeing rituals by yourself. Text the friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with, join a local book club or try that Saturday afternoon pottery class you’ve walked past for the past few months. Engaging in regular social contact brings fun, an opportunity to chat, and a change of perspective – so schedule in these plans rather than waiting for them to happen spontaneously.
Small changes for lasting wellbeing
Taking care of yourself is mainly about small wellbeing habits that add up. Just start with one change that feels realistic (such as setting a consistent bedtime). Once that habit becomes a natural part of everyday life, add in others. Wellbeing works best when it’s sustainable, personal and, most importantly, enjoyable for you.
