A Simplified Guide to Creating a Wellness Routine

“Self-care” is a trending topic these days. It seems like we’re always hearing about how important it is to make time for ourselves and engage in self-care. However, this is often much easier said than done.

A lot of people are already so busy with their daily routines that the idea of trying to fit in some self-care time seems anything but relaxing. It’s just another thing to add to a seemingly unending to-do list.

If this is how you’ve been thinking about self-care, then it may be time to change your perspective. Self-care doesn’t have to be this long, drawn-out, expensive process that you may see on TV or social media. It can be a series of simple, healthy habits that you can easily incorporate into your daily schedule. This is often referred to as a wellness routine.


Looking for an easy way to up your self-care game? Here’s a simplified guide to creating a wellness routine.


Eat, Sleep, and Exercise on a Regular Schedule

You’re free to choose whatever times work best with your lifestyle, just make sure it’s manageable. For example, don’t choose a regular wakeup time of 5am if you really enjoy sleeping in on the weekends. Aim for consistency in your wellness routine.


Here are some scheduling tips:


  • Eating: Experts recommend eating every 3-5 hours, as this is roughly how long it takes for the stomach to empty. Try to incorporate both your meals and snacks using this kind of schedule.

  • Sleeping: Most adults need about 7-9 hours of sleep per night, though you may find that 6 or even 10 works best for you. 

  • Exercise: This is the most difficult one for a lot of people. Now, the CDC recommends aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. However, if that sounds like too much for you, remember this: a little exercise is better than nothing. As long as you’re incorporating some kind of movement into your wellness routine, you should still experience some of the benefits.


Plan How You’re Going to Eat, Sleep, and Exercise

You’re more likely to follow through with your intentions if you have a plan. Once you’ve determined the timing for everything, plan how you’re going to achieve your goals.


  • Food: Try and incorporate more healthy foods into your scheduled meal times. For example, research shows that the nutrients found in fruits and vegetables can help lower your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

  • Sleep: Avoid bright lights before your bedtime. Studies show that the blue light wavelengths in these lights can disrupt production of melatonin, a sleep hormone.

  • Exercise: Choose a movement activity that’s actually doable. You may like the idea of running for an hour every day, but is that realistic in your situation? You may find that a walk around your neighborhood is more manageable and enjoyable.


Be Kind to Yourself

Sometimes, you’re going to miss a key element of your wellness routine. Hey, things happen! Don’t beat yourself up about it. Instead, reaffirm your intentions to follow your schedule, and pick things back up tomorrow.


You may also want to plan some time for leisure activities, such as reading, knitting, or even just taking a relaxing bath. Not only can these be great stress-busters, but you deserve a little time to indulge in the things that you truly enjoy.



Looking for a new activity to incorporate into your wellness routine? Book an appointment for one of our wellness services at cedar + sage today!


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