Wellness Starts from Within
With the countdown to darker months and cooler days on the horizon, we often notice a shift in our sleep pattern, routine, mood and overall wellbeing.
‘Winter blues’ or SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) might affect some of us at this transitional time, making it important to recognise and acknowledge our thoughts and feelings. Building a mental toolkit can provide a sense of emotional balance and inner harmony.
While a healthy diet and active lifestyle are recommended for their mood-boosting benefits, this blog will explore how you can welcome wellbeing that begins within.
Ways to Spark Wellness from Within
As the days grow shorter and our schedules slow, it presents the ideal opportunity to pause, reflect and nurture our peace. Learning ways in which to regulate emotions and avoid overwhelm can help us to be more present in our at-home, personal and professional lives.
Here are some practical ways to promote self-care and boost your overall mood:
Keep a Gratitude Journal
A quick yet effective way to focus on the good, no matter how big or small. Calling out at least three positives from your day may help to shift a negative mindset, and if done frequently (daily is best practice), you may notice that your perspective begins to shift.
To do this, write down three things that had a positive impact on your day. Some gratitude prompts to try are:
‘I appreciate the simple pleasures like…’
‘I am thankful for people like…’
‘I am grateful for things that make me smile such as…’
Keep a Thought Journal
It can be easy to bottle things up and internalise our emotions. As humans, we tend to have unhelpful thinking habits such as critical self-thoughts, making mountains out of molehills and jumping to the worst-case scenario.
To help, you could keep a general thought diary of your day, in which you write down your worries, a difficult decision or simply what’s on your mind at that moment without filtering or judging what comes up.
Aim to write daily, at a similar time (like before bed or after work), even if it’s just a few lines. Keep it simple and be kind to yourself, treating yourself with the same compassion you would a friend.
Identifying these thinking patterns, acknowledging them and getting them out (aloud, written on paper or on an app) could help you to distance yourself and challenge them more rationally.
Find Mindful Moments
Finding the time to meditate or practice breathwork can sometimes be difficult during busy days. Instead, try to reframe your thinking to notice more ‘mindful moments’.
Shifting from automatic thinking to conscious awareness of certain tasks helps you to feel more present, grounded and appreciative of life’s simple pleasures.
An example of this could be to take a moment as you’re applying a body lotion to breathe in the aromas and notice the feel, result and act of self-care that this supports.
Similarly, sticking to a skincare routine is a habitual act of self-kindness that helps us feel our best. Try slowing down your steps, while enjoying each product’s sensorial texture and the time spent applying them. To further elevate your ritual, add in a facial tool to incorporate the motion of massage – an ideal invitation to tune into mindfulness.
The skill of finding mindful moments can take time to master, but the more you make an effort to shift your perspective, the more natural it will become.
Aromatherapy for Wellness
Adding an element of aromatherapy to your wellbeing practices enhances the overall sensory experience. By using essential oils, extracted from plants, aroma has the power to uplift, soothe and stimulate the senses.
At ESPA, our collection of hand-poured candles are infused with a signature scent to ground and guide you on your journey to inner harmony.
Bergamot & Jasmine:
Bringing the spa to you, this balancing blend ignites an air of relaxation, making it perfect for winding down in the evening.
Soothing:
Combining the serene scents of geranium, ylang and frankincense essential oils, light a Soothing candle when you need a moment of tranquillity.
Positivity:
Joyful white flowers, petitgrain and cedarwood oils are expertly blended to deliver a sense of encouragement (especially useful when gratitude journalling).
Restorative:
Inviting stillness and clarity, this orange, lavender and palmarosa scent is ideal for supporting your daily mindful moments.
A Sound for Each Scent
To enrich your scent experience, incorporate sound alongside your chosen candle to heighten its mood-boosting benefits.
At ESPA we have curated Spotify playlists for each blend, designed to be played as you inhale its aromas for a moment of fully immersed self-connection.
Bergamot & Jasmine: Listen to the soft murmur of spa serenity when lighting this candle.
Soothing: Switch to the slow, melodic sounds of nature as you enjoy our Soothing collection.
Positivity: When you need an energy boost, stream our positivity playlist to promote an upbeat, optimistic ambience.
Restorative: For moments of calm, listen to the mellow, instrumental music of our Restorative playlist.
Perfect Your At-Home Sanctuary
Wellness from within can also be influenced and elevated by your surrounding space. As we tend to spend more time indoors during the autumn and winter months, making your home a peaceful sanctuary may provide a sense of clarity.
Below is a guide to creating a comfortable, calming environment:
Step One: Scent
Step Two: Lighting
Maximise natural light by opening the blinds during the day. In the evening, opt for warm lamps and candles, avoiding harsh overhead lighting where possible.
Step Three: Practice Feng Shui
Declutter your space and designate a wellness zone, whether this is a corner of calm for journalling or an area for gentle movement. Additionally, try harmonising decorative elements by choosing colours and textures you enjoy, incorporating your personality into your interiors to spark joy.
Step Four: Comfort
While spending time at home, elevating your sleepwear, bedding and home accessories could help deepen the connection to self-care (and encourages a good night’s sleep!)
As autumnal days approach, try practicing some of the above techniques to nurture your wellness from within, and foster these habits to watch your inner harmony flourish.
