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Hello & welcome to the first Sunday edition of our Wellness Bum the Wellness Rewind newsletter, where we celebrate the art of self-care and well-being. I’m Valerie, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200), helping high achievers learn how to work and live at a pace optimal for their well-being.

Today, let's take a moment to rewind and rethink our approach to well-being. It's time to shift our perspectives and embrace new strategies that align more closely with our evolving lifestyles and inner needs.

Before we dive in, I wanted to take a moment to share a little about today’s sponsor, SAKARA.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Redefining the Pursuit of Well-Being in 2024

In this ever-changing world, our journey towards personal wellness demands more than just following pre-set norms. It calls for a deep, introspective shift - from tirelessly chasing fleeting moments of happiness to finding a grounded sense of contentment; from merely surviving stress to understanding and managing it with grace; from focusing solely on physical health to nurturing a holistic sense of well-being; and from clinging to rigid expectations to flowing with the tides of life with flexibility and resilience.

As we step into this new chapter, we're not just rethinking self-care – we're reinventing it. Each section below is a stepping stone towards a more balanced, peaceful, and joyful life. It's a journey of rediscovering what it means to truly live well, not by the standards set by the world, but by those that resonate with the deepest parts of our being. So, let's embark on this journey together with open hearts and minds, ready to learn, grow, and transform.

Embracing Contentment Over Chasing Happiness

From personal experience, finding contentment is like discovering a hidden treasure in your own backyard. It's about appreciating what you have, where you are, and who you are at this moment.

Life isn't just about the highs; it's about finding peace in the ebbs and flows. Happiness is a fleeting guest, but contentment is a loyal friend. This week, try to find joy in the small things - the morning sun, a good book, or your favorite cup of tea. Contentment is about being at peace with the present.

Tools like gratitude journals, journaling, and mindfulness practices can be immensely helpful. Here are three ways to put this into play:

• Start Your Day with Gratitude: Each morning, list three things you're grateful for. The warm rays of the sun, cuddle with your pet, a smile from strangers. It could be as simple as a warm bed or the sound of birds chirping. This practice sets a positive tone for the day and helps you reflect on the small moments in life that bring a moment of joy that often get overlooked.

• Mindful Moments: Throughout the day, take brief pauses to engage with your surroundings fully. Savor your coffee, feel the breeze, and listen to a loved one. These moments ground you in the present.

• Reflect Before Bed: Spend a few minutes each night reflecting on the day's joys, no matter how small. This helps in recognizing the continuous thread of contentment in your life.

If you need further guidance, join our free community on Instagram for a daily journal prompt that encourages self-reflection. Join here: Daily Journal Prompts

You might find inspiration in some of our past articles:

• Nurturing the Soul: The Power of Gratitude and Kindness

• Gratitude Practice: How To Have a Healthier Happier Life

• The Secret Key To Making Happiness A Thing For Yourself

• Boost Daily Joy - Happiness Hacks

• Finding Joy in the Little Things: How to Appreciate Life

Understanding Stress, Not Just Ignoring It

Having faced stress in various forms, I've learned it's not the enemy; it's a signal. Stress is like that uninvited guest at a party - it shows up anyway. Let's stop ignoring it and start understanding it. Understanding your stress is the first step to managing it.

This week, I encourage you to explore stress-relief techniques. Maybe it's a yoga session, a mindfulness practice, or simply taking a long walk. Tools like guided meditation apps and yoga can be effective in managing stress. To put this into practice:

• Identify Stress Triggers: Keep a journal to note when you feel stressed and what causes it. Awareness is the first step in management.

• Regular Relaxation Practice: Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation into your daily routine. Even 10 minutes can make a difference.

• Nature Therapy: Spend time in nature, whether it's a walk in the park or sitting by a window with a view. Nature has a calming effect on the mind and body.

A few of my favorite tools are the Muse Meditation Headband, Open Mindfulness App, and walks in nature.

Holistic Health: Beyond the Physical

Holistic health has been a game-changer for me, emphasizing the balance of body, mind, and spirit. This week, let's focus on nurturing all these aspects. Perhaps it's a nutritious meal that also comforts your soul, or a meditation session that soothes your mind and spirit. Tools like holistic health apps, yoga, and nutritious meal planning are helpful. Here's how to embrace this:

• Balanced Nutrition: Focus on a diet rich in whole foods, which nourish both body and soul. Plan your meals to include a variety of nutrients.

• Mind-Body Exercises: Engage in activities like yoga or Tai Chi, which foster both physical health and mental calmness.

• Spiritual Practice: Whether it’s meditation, prayer, or simply sitting in silence, dedicate time to connect with your inner self.

Further reading for mind-body balance:

• Open App Review: A Path to Mindfulness & Well-being

• Best Meditation Apps 2023 - Top 6 Picks

• Deep Dive into Mindfulness: Guide for High Achievers

• 20 Tips for More Living Mindfully

• Personal Growth Strategies - Becoming your best Self

Flexibility in Expectations

Life is unpredictable, and rigidity can often lead to disappointment. This week, let's practice being like water - adaptable, flexible, and ever-flowing. Embrace changes, big or small, and see them as opportunities for growth and learning. Tools like mindfulness and cognitive flexibility exercises can aid in this. To incorporate flexibility:

• Set Adjustable Goals: Make your goals flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstances. This reduces frustration and keeps you motivated.

• Mindfulness in Action: Practice being present in the moment and open to change. This can be done through mindful meditation or simply by paying attention to your responses to change.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate small achievements and adaptations. This reinforces a positive attitude towards change and growth.

Remember, these practices are not one-time actions but ongoing habits that build a foundation for lasting well-being.

As we embark on this transformative path towards a more balanced and fulfilled life, it's essential to remember that this journey of well-being is not a solitary one. We are a community, a collective of souls united in our pursuit of a deeper, more meaningful existence. Together, we're peeling back the layers of old habits and societal norms, daring to question, explore, and ultimately rediscover what it means to nourish ourselves — body, mind, and soul truly.

Let's celebrate every step of this journey, however small or significant. Each breath we take is a testament to our resilience and capacity for change. Every moment we choose contentment over fleeting happiness, understanding over ignorance, holistic health over partial wellness, and flexibility over rigidity, we're not just living — we're thriving.

This journey is about embracing our imperfections, learning from our experiences, and growing stronger and wiser with each passing day. It's about finding joy in the little things, peace in the midst of chaos, and strength in vulnerability. As we continue on this path, let us hold each other up, share our stories, and spread the light of knowledge and self-awareness. Together, we can rewrite the narrative of well-being and create a life that's not just survived, but passionately and purposefully lived.

So, here's to our collective journey — a tapestry of unique experiences woven together by shared aspirations and dreams. Let's move forward with courage, love, and an unyielding commitment to our well-being. Remember, in this beautiful journey of self-discovery and growth, you are never alone.

🤍 ICYMI: Articles From The Week

• Why I Said Goodbye to ThredUp in 2024 & Why You Should Too: ThredUp Selling Experience Review (6 min read)

• 8 Simple Ways To Manifest Your Dreams With (6 min read)

• Dry January Guide: Healthier Start with Expert Advice (8 min read)

• Sparkling Pomegranate and Passionfruit Gin Fizz Mocktail Recipe (3 min read)

• Discover the Art of Inner Peace: 10 Self-Care Practices to Elevate Your Well-Being (8 min read)

• New Year, New You: How to Make Resolutions Stick (4 min read)

Join The 30-Day Self-Care Challenge!

Ready to recharge, refresh, and renew? Dive into our 30-Day Self-Care Challenge! From digital detoxes to DIY spa days, start today - download the calendar for a transformative journey towards a happier, healthier YOU.

Ps. Let’s connect on Instagram, Threads, and X! Join our community on Instagram Channels - Daily Journal Prompts. For coaching, schedule a session.