For me, wellness is about being really aware of what I need in order to be able to function as well as I possibly can each day, to feel well and energised....to be really conscious of looking after myself to enable myself to live my daily life and achieve all I want to.
Possibly my biggest issue is sleep....and getting enough of it.Without enough hours of sleep, I very quickly find myself eating the "wrong" foods, getting more tired and then feeling even worse because I know I am not caring properly for myself.
They say that once you have children and get introduced to the concept of broken sleep, it can be difficult to get back into a good routine.My children are past the ages where they wake up every night but sometimes I wonder if I do that thing of sleeping with one ear open just in case....
I have not slept well since we moved house last November & would guess that I am averaging 4-6 hours a night, not nearly enough....I wake up a lot during the night &, with so many plans on the go, my mind starts going through all the different options....it's no wonder I'm tired LOL!!
I am working on it though....
Like most of us, it is a combination of factors that makes me feel well....a series of mental boxes to check that lets me know that I am on the right track....
a good night's sleepwith enough early nights
healthy eatinga breakfast that doesn't consist of just a latte on the gotaking time to eat lunch, even when i'm aloneplenty of fruits and vegetableslots of water
good skincarecleansing & moisturising EVERY nighta weekly scrub & exfoliate
organisationkeeping my to-do list in check
feeling "on top" of my lifehaving a full fridgemaking sure my appointment diary is organisedlaundry basket empty and ironing basket under control!
exercisemaintaining a regular routine
I've been exceptionally busy recently & by the time I get to Friday if I've been away from home during the day all week then I know I need time at home just to center myself and to regroup a little....it's really essential for me.I need some time alone, for my thoughts and just to plan.
I also really like to always have some plans, something to look forward to and to aim for...a trip, weekend away or even a catch-up dinner with friends.
My friends are undoubtedly part of my daily support system, it's a mutual thing....we have each other's backs and there isn't much that goes on in my life that isn't shared with them.It's an absolute essential part of my life...as is a coffee date, a cinema date & lunch every now and then.
I am very conscious that I have two children to look after and in order to look after them the best I can, then I need to be at my best physically, mentally and emotionally.
I know that I feel better if I....eat breakfaststop for lunchdo an exercise classwrite every dayget to readtalk with a friendcook a good (& nutritious) dinnerhave a long bathdo my full skincare routine at night
It would be a very good day indeed that I managed to do all these things plus everything else that a day in my life involves....these are all "extras" to my daily routine but they're all things that make me feel so much better and cope better when I manage to add them to my day....
therein lies the challenge doesn't it?
I think though at least half the battle is recognising and being aware of your needs....and at least I have that worked out.
(this post first appeared on my blog in November 2011, it is been updated for today. I remain sleep deprived ;))
