Bringing holistic health and wellness into your home

Despite occupying just two words of the vast English language, “health” and “wellness,” depending on who you ask, carry more meaning than most.

From conquering that next Colorado 14er or fitting comfortably into a favorite pair of jeans to redefining a lifestyle or finding space for self-care and mental respite, definitions for both words can be as wide-ranging as they are individualized.

While this presents an opportunity for many people to forge their own path, creating a truly healthy and balanced lifestyle can still be a challenge.

There are a number of ways that Colorado residents can apply aspects of wellness into their daily lives. This includes topics like nutrition, fitness and mindfulness as well as yoga, cooking and art classes.

Today, developers are beginning to wrap these aspects of health and wellness into buildings and their resident communities. These communities, with a wealth of amenities can now play an increasingly important role as wellness takes on a new meaning in the places where we live. However, you don’t need to live in one of these communities to achieve this type of wellness. It’s never been easier – nor more relevant – to bring holistic, healthy living to your own doorstep.

For those of you interested in creating your own wellness routine, here are a few tips to consider.

Create Your Space

Making any change takes time. You can set yourself up for success, however, by creating a space for growth and change that helps you foster a positive mindset as you phase into each chapter of your life.

Creating your space can be as simple as decluttering and organizing your home or office. Beyond that, I always recommend incorporating elements of biophilia – leveraging our natural human instinct to be close to nature and bringing natural elements indoors. You might cultivate a calming, garden-like oasis somewhere in your house, complete with houseplants and other greenery, or simply notice how much better you feel when your desk is near a window to take in the light, air and natural views.

Whether you make big changes or small adjustments, it’s important to create the right conditions for your wellness journey.

Find a Routine

Defining healthy habits and goals for yourself and your family unit can provide both balance and structure along your wellness journey. Find an accountability partner – this can be a family member, friend or neighbor – and have regular check-ins to discuss your progress.

But don’t expect perfection – be gentle with yourself. Take the time to notice when things tend to fall off track and have constructive conversations with your accountability partner, who can help you manage your own expectations and take pride in your progress or newly formed habits.

Nourish Your Body 

Contrary to popular belief, eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. Make sure your diet is nutrient-rich, with a healthy mix of fruits and vegetables, grains and high-quality proteins like eggs, lean meat, fish and legumes.

An easy weekend trip to your local Farmer’s Market is a great way to add variety to your plate while choosing foods that align with your body type. Remember, we all digest differently, so what works for one person might not work for another.

Move

Happiness is a natural byproduct of moving your body and being active in ways that boost your energy. In addition to helping you maintain a healthy personal weight and fighting against chronic disease, increased movement allows for healthy aging with improved flexibility, mobility and balance.

Enrich your exercise by visiting a local park or path where, in Colorado, you’re certain to benefit from an extra dose of Vitamin D activities, like yoga and workout classes (a little tricky these days), which provide a little healthy competition while accommodating a variety of skill and comfort levels.

Empower Your Mind

While nourishing your body usually gets most of the credit, it’s nearly impossible to overlook the inextricable connection between physical and mental health.

Expressing gratitude, practicing meditation, socializing and getting in touch with your creative side are simple, community-minded ways to bridge the gap between your physical and mental health. It’s also important to be open and accepting to how relationships, your surroundings and your personal story may change over time. I also recommend making time for reading, journaling or dedicated time for self-education. You will be surprised how a little effort in this area can go a long way.

Like most things, creating a holistic health and wellness environment in your home takes a mix of discipline, patience and lots of hard work. The goal, however, is not to find perfection, but balance your approach in a way that makes you feel safe, healthy and well from both a physical and mental perspective.