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Our Lush Guest Writer for January.
As a mom, your all-round wellness is extremely important so you can be there for those you truly love. When you are nourished, you will be energised to serve the ones you love with Joy! Remember, You can’t give what you don’t have. In today’s article, Amaka Asiodu shares 5 Practical Wellness Tips as we navigate the pandemic era. She is a Mental Health & Well-being Advocate, experienced & Certified Medical Practitioner and Mom to 2 beautiful children.
Enjoy!
The last 2 years has been special in a new way. Living with a pandemic that has simply refused to take the next available flight but keeps giving birth to new baby variants has taught us so much. We have learnt new ways of parenting and working. We have, of course, learnt to now appreciate the people who teach our kids a-lot more. It has forced us to view the world, our support systems, and ourselves in new ways.
Personally, I found myself enjoying deeper reflections on what rest is and what rejuvenation can include. I had the opportunity to be a parent for the second time and this time, the privilege of experience to help me make better decisions, that is not to say it was easier. Initially, I found it quite difficult to say no to requests related to work and ended up having to take early maternity leave as a way of coping with the ever-increasing demand of work. Now, I have relearnt what wellness means to me and how it shows up in my everyday life.
The word “wellness” had always conjured images of beige walls with warm lighting casting a welcoming glow, beautiful women with sparkling white robes lounging on cloud-like sofas, holding sugar-rimmed glasses of cocktails while cucumbers cooled their tired eyes…… you get what I mean?
I have learnt that wellness is much deeper than that image, it means keeping myself well intentionally. This year, I am manifesting joy and peace and maintaining an inner calm that can only be given through the Holy Spirit. I am going to share some points to reflect on and hopefully invite you to take action towards a well-rounded you this year.
1. Physical wellness
The state of being in good health. We often take this for granted as long as we can get up and going. Forgetting that your body needs to be nurtured for it is the house where your soul, spirit and mind dwells. The body that allows you to care for and love your family, the body that gave birth to those children you love so much. That body needs utmost care and love. It’s needs to be maintained. Book a regular medical check, stay on top of any illnesses you already have, don’t skip your medications and check-ups, take vitamins to help you function optimally, remove yourself from situations that harm you. Listen to your body and follow its lead.
-Lean into your bodily functions, be mindful of what fuels your body aka food. Take a closer look at your diet and what it does in your body after it goes into your mouth. Not everything we eat is good for us.
-Optimal sleep for an adult will differ from person to person and even more so with little children. Sleep allows our brains and bodies to reboot, when we don’t sleep well, our stress levels shoot up and we start to operate in survival mode and all non-essential activity ceases. While that can sound alright, it would mean that you sacrifice the part of yourself that can be kind, empathetic, compassionate, and creative.
-Move your body, exercise in any way you can. walk, jump, skip, swim, weights, yoga, dance….. Just move it girl. I personally prefer to walk and dabble in yoga and Zumba when I can. If you can do anything, model it to suit you, utilize online services when you can’t leave the home or office. Movement causes the release of endorphins aka happy hormones and reduces our stress levels so it is a winner all the time. It may even give you the much-needed alone time you need for some ideas to come to your head.
2. Mental Wellness
Your mind is the seat of power. You need to ensure it is well nurtured and nourished. Pay attention to what you listen to, who speaks into your life, what you watch. Observe and pay attention to yourself. How are you feeling about things in your life, yourself, your work, your children, the spaces you exist in? What makes you sad and what makes you happy? Do you feel downcast, anxious, elated or calm, and confident on most days? Identify where you are mentally and the conditions that precede those thoughts or feelings. Sometimes a long walk, rearranging your workspace or decluttering your closet, letting family and friends know your boundaries, having that tough conversation etc can move your mental health from zero to 100!
3. Social Wellness
What makes up your social environment? People, places, activities! Do these things fill up your energy cup or drain it? Do you have hobbies? I mean things that energize you and give you positive vibes. People who make you feel authentically you and able to safely fulfill your purpose in your everyday life? Consider these things and make adjustments where necessary. Find people with whom you share similar interests online or in real life, and engage with your interests actively.
4. Spiritual Wellness
Most people have a spiritual practice and for the purpose of this blog, we would use Christian references. The place of a regular spiritual practice such as prayer and meditation in the spirit is invaluable. It shuts down external noise and connects you to the source of all things. We get inspiration, comfort, courage, and hope to keep going, in this world that is so complex. If you have to do one thing, do this, once you get this right, the rest of your wellness usually falls into place.
5. Emotional and Intellectual Wellness
Finding the place within yourself where your heart sings and you are buzzing with creativity and productivity is very important. Find things that inspire and motivate you is key this year. After the last few years, seizing the moment has become more important than ever. A sense of purpose and achievement adds meaning to life. What makes you want to sing or dance? What activity leaves you feeling confident and who inspires those good strong vibes in you. Keep them close this year and sparkle all the way through.
6. Financial wellness
This is one we often don’t talk about yet it determines so much in our day-to-day life. Do you know what your income and expenses look like? Do you have a budget for the year and financial plans for the year? Are there ways you can increase your income or manage it better? Do you need help? Perhaps an advisor that can guide your investments and saving plans. Sis, keep aside money for emergencies, not every time a new shoe or lunch with the girls. While these may seem like quite a lot of things to consider, they are easy and make such a big difference once you take the time to practice and act on your outcomes.
The way you spend your time changes for good and you see the difference in the way you feel and function daily, in no time at all. Consistency is important if you want to see the results and please remain flexible and enjoy the journey of discovering yourself in this new year.
I wish you all the best in 2022. I am always happy to hear back about what you found useful and how you use these tips, please reach out @mindofmakus on Instagram and we can have a chat about it.
Thank you for sharing with us Amaka! We absolutely love your tips.