Did you know? August is National Wellness Month! Let’s take an organized look at wellness!
What does Wellness look like to you? When I talk to clients about time management and strategic planning, there are recurring wellness themes that often accompany clearing clutter and getting organized.
Nutrition.
Get back on track: Perhaps you had healthy habits working for you earlier in the year, but maybe you’ve lost intensity or focus. Every day is a great day to start fresh!
Let today be the day to: order a salad for lunch instead of a sandwich and chips; make an effort 
to increase your water consumption; check out your local farmers market for seasonal produce; or get back to tracking your food choices (my personal plan for this week!)
Better yet, set some goals: Setting a deadline can boost your motivation, so choose a date in the next month or two to achieve healthier outcomes or weight loss, and map a plan per week to achieve those goals!
Better Sleep
We read articles in August about adjusting children’s sleep schedules for Back To School bedtimes. Let today be the day we try this as adults, too! Binge-watching summer shows messing up your sleep hygiene (Game of Thrones for me)? Or maybe those yummy iced coffees? B
ack off the caffeine, step away from the screens, head to bed a little earlier!
Traveling last week, I was reminded how much I really love my bed. Now is also a great time to review your mattress, pillows and sleep environment in general, and make sure everything is working towards the goal of better sleep!
Appointments and Screenings
We’re over half way through 2018 (unbelievable, right?!). Grab your calendar and make some phone calls or go online to schedule any remaining required screenings or appointments for the year, such as:
- your annual physical;
- suggested preventive health screenings, appropriate for your age;
- your annual flu shot;
- an annual eye doctor appointment, especially for students and teachers heading back to school;
- your twice annual dentist appointment;
- visits to the chiropractor, podiatrist, etc.
Exercise.
What activities do you like? How can you weave them into your schedule as exercise?
Our morning walk today was pleasant, with the cooler morning temperatures. I enjoy seeing my community’s lush yards and beautiful flowers. I read a book while on vacation called Deep Work, and the author was just talking about the benefits of being outside in nature to boost our moods and productivity.
Last week, we rented bikes and biked the 8.2 mile loop on Mackinaw Island (see picture!). I highly recommend the experience, and 
it reminded me how much I love to bike. So on my August list is “make sure my bike is road ready”, and start biking for errands and leisure!
Now is a great time to sign up for exercise classes for Fall, too! Some local yoga classes have caught my eye, and are starting soon. What is calling to you? Go and do it!
Get up, get out, get involved!
Self Care
I am negligent when it comes to self care, but I am working on it! It has been an stressful summer for me, and I have come to realize that Self Care can’t be optional! Yesterday, I had a massage along with my chiropractic adjustment, and made sure to schedule my August appointments for both before I left the office.
I talked to a friend about meditation yesterday, and she suggested YouTube for short meditations for affirmation and for better sleep, so I will check those out.
Other components for self care for me have been respecting my boundaries (and occasionally saying No), fueling my body with healthy foods and relaxing with reading. That may not seem like a lot, but for me, it’s progress!
What could you do this week, to treat yourself kindly?
For National Wellness month, set goals and take action, or at least get back on a healthier track after some summer shenanigans (or is that just me?)!