With the end of 2021 in sight, Looking back I think we can safely say that we have all endured many challenges, changes and transformation. As we look ahead to 2022 let’s try and meet the new year with fresh eyes and the focus on opportunities for new beginnings. Let’s try to meet this new year with a sense of hope moving toward a new normal as we navigate our lives with more confidence, ease and way less fear.
I think the key to feeling confident and empowered is through taking care and taking charge of our health and wellness by looking after our mental, physical and emotional well-being. We all have to start exactly where we are with no judgments. It is in the simple incremental things that you do and incorporate daily that add up into the big picture.
I’d like to offer a list of wellness trends that are on the rise for 2022 to help get you started.
This list is meant to inspire you rather than overwhelm you, so relax, take a breath and allow new and fresh ideas to wash over you.
As you read the list, tune in to yourself and see which ones inspire, resonate or spark your curiosity.
For now, enjoy and imagine the possibilities of a new year and a new you!
These days it is nice to have the option of exercising at home. There are so many fun videos to choose from, the possibilities are endless!
5, 10 or 30 minute video for any fitness level in many different workout types at your fingertips in the comfort of your own home. Take the plunge and just get started and you will soon adopt a new highly addictive healthy habit! Even if you just do 10 minutes a day you are on your way to a healthier you!
Do a quick search on YouTube. There are so many videos with virtual fitness routines!
You would be surprised at how practicing focused breathing techniques can quickly change your body, mind and emotions. By sitting in a comfortable chair and practicing a simple technique called the box breath for 5 minutes, you can reset your entire system. There are many resources, also on Youtube, for trying all kinds of breath techniques which are very effective in calming the nervous system and emotions.
Box Breathing
Step 1: Breathe in counting to four slowly. Feel the air enter your lungs.
Step 2: Hold your breath for 4 seconds.
Step 3: Slowly exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds.
Step 4: Hold the exhale for 4 seconds: Repeat steps 1 to 4 until you feel re-centered.
Meditation is the key to mental fitness. It is like lifting weights for your mind. The more you practice the stronger you become. With consistent practice you can train yourself to be able to redirect the current of your thoughts and navigate away from negative thoughts.
Meditation will also strengthen your ability to quiet the mind with more ease. With consistent practice you will begin to condition your mind to respond at your will and command. Sounds good right?
All you have to do is start and be consistent just like working out, after some time you will start to see the positive changes. There are loads of meditation apps that can help you stay on track. We all need support and coaching at times and the apps are like having a virtual coach that will help you not only get started but also stay on track. It’s like training wheels until you are able to ride on your own. We all have to start somewhere and this is an extremely effective tool!
Here are a few of the top meditation apps:
1. Calm
3. Headspace
4. Buddhify
Download one now and get started today!
Self-care is looking after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. It is filling your cup up with an activity that raises your energy levels and brings you into alignment with your center and true essence.
Try this exercise: Write down a list of things that you would like to do for yourself that would be restorative, replenishing, healing or just fun! It could be a bath, massage, yoga class, reading a good book, horseback riding, taking a dance class etc…
Free your mind and allow yourself to indulge. Add to your list whatever it is you can imagine. Now look at your list and pick something/s that you can do right now and incorporate into your life that will recharge your batteries and make you feel good.
Self- care is necessary for creating balance in our busy lives. It’s taking a break from all the many roles we play for our family, friends and community. Take some time to unplug and tune in to that still part inside of yourself that reconnects you with the essence of who you truly are. Things that make you go ahhhhhhh… 😱
You don’t have to work out hard to make a difference!
Let’s face it, most of us are not in our 20’s anymore and we can let go of the version of work outs we used to do and adopt workouts that feel more appropriate for this phase of life. There is no one size fits all.
Listen to your body and do what feels right and feels good. There are so many different kinds of workouts these days. Let go of your old videos and find something new. Youtube is a great resource for this.
One of my favorite channels is by Maddie Lymburner.
These workouts will kick your but in the most gentle way! Check out her app too. It’s a great tool to stay on track with a virtual coach. Just do it! 💪
Our emotions are part of the human experience, we ARE emotional beings. That is a good thing, except when our emotions start to rule our lives and we lose a sense of control. Emotions can be like a ride on a rollercoaster.
There are practices that can help navigate through our emotions, helping us to better understand the underpinnings and be able to then heal the triggers that stir these emotions.
Emotions are like clouds passing. If we adopt practices that can help calm the emotions, we have a better opportunity to move through them with more ease, bringing one back to a neutral, natural state of mind.
Some practices and healing modalities that help with balancing overactive emotions are:
1. Yoga
2. Meditation
3. Walking outside in fresh air
4. Breathing techniques
5. Holographic Repatterning (look this one up for advanced healing)
6. Dancing
Are you in need of a social media cleanse? Are you ruled by your electronics? It’s time to set some boundaries so you can take back control. Step off the hamster wheel of checking your phone, computer, social media etc…and allow yourself to tune into the natural rhythm of nature and the universe.
Tap into the infinite creative space around you and allow for new thoughts, inspirations and ideas to come through. You can’t do that if you are constantly checking your phone! Start with a few days and see how you feel.
Make sure to incorporate a meditative practice while detoxing so you can feel the deeper health benefits with more clarity. When you return to your regular digital routine you will have a fresh perspective and a little more control.
Some wisdom that I learned long ago is to “make my NOT to do list!” We, as a society, tend to fill our list with so many things that we end up always feeling defeated because of our unrealistic goals!
Begin by scaling back and prioritizing the most important things and simplify your list so that you can feel victorious every day.This is much better for your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing. It’s also a great way to keep yourself from feeling rushed and stressed all the time.
Stress weakens our immune system! Practice simplifying to keep the stress at bay each day.
I hope this list inspires and helps you to imagine new ideas and healthy things to try. Your power is in showing up every day to meet your practice, whatever that may be. The practice is in your commitment and persistence. And, always remember practice makes progress!
I’d like to wish you all a safe and fun New Year Holiday weekend. Then, let 2022 be about taking care of you! 💙
Wishing you all the best in health, peace and love,
Kim Keeshin
