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We’ve been flat chat lately. Our Adelady fam have had A LOT going on — season 4 of Adelady has only just wrapped, we released the first issue of our mag and are busily working on the second, and everything else has kept chugging along around it. On top of that, our personal lives haven’t stopped either (I’m looking at you Lauren, with your new house and your new fiancé)!

It goes without saying that our health (mental and physical) should always be up there as the #1 priority, but we’ll admit that it’s the first thing we neglect when things get busy. From there, it’s a vicious cycle — when you’re not the best version of yourself, the other areas of your life are impacted.

We got chatting to the team behind Coastrek, who are dedicated to pushing women to be the best  they can be while raising money for mental health. In between organising an AWESOME fundraiser that’s raised over $25M so far, these kickass women took the time to share their top tips for improving your wellbeing… and our heads and hearts are forever grateful.

Guest blog :: Coastrek

These days we’re bombarded with advice telling us what we need to do to be healthy. We’re told we’re too fat, too slow, too lazy, too old, too wrinkly. We’re convinced that quick fixes, diet shakes, eating keto, quitting sugar and coffee, and slogging ourselves in gym is the one-way-street to being happy, healthy, and well.

When we’re blasted with tips that don’t feel possible, it can feel overwhelming. Maybe we end up trying them for a while, but soon we realise it’s unrealistic and unsustainable. So, we give up and end up feeling worse.

Improving your health doesn’t have to be “too hard”. Here’s a few things you can do right here, right now…

1. Focus on your breathing

This is a simple way to improve your wellbeing because you can do it literally anywhere. In the car, on public transport, while you’re walking, when you’re on a work break, or while you’re drifting off to sleep.

When you breathe slowly, in through the nose and out through the mouth, it brings your concentration back to your body. It helps to manage your stress, decrease your anxiety and increase your energy.

2. Get out into nature

When it’s cold and dark outside, it’s easy to get into the habit of locking yourself indoors under a blanket, but it’s not the answer to boosting your wellbeing.

Research shows getting out amongst nature is beneficial for your health. Immersing yourself in nature helps improve your focus, your memory, and helps reduce symptoms of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.

Take the time to get off the couch and into the outdoors, whether it’s spending some time in your local park, by the water, or watching the sunrise.

3. Kiss and cuddle your loved ones (furry friends included)

We all know anecdotally that hugging your loved ones feels delicious and great. Turns out, it’s also good for your health! Hugging has been proven to boost your mood, your self-esteem, and combat feelings of loneliness. Most of all, it helps strengthen your relationships, which are a huge part of keeping us well.

4. Go for a walk

A nice, gentle walk is a great way to boost your wellbeing. The walk doesn’t have to be challenging and taxing — just getting out and moving your body is great for your physical and mental wellbeing. Take a friend with you and hit two birds with one stone! If you’re really feeling adventurous, you could even get walking for Coastrek… just saying!

5. Check in on your friends and family

We flourish on connection. Our personal relationships are super important to our happiness, and our health, so nurturing them is crucial for our wellbeing.

Spend a few minutes checking in with a friend or a family member — send a funny photo, tell them a story, let them know you love them, meet for a coffee, give your mum a call, message your gal pal group chat — it gives everyone involved a boost.

6. Set a health goal

Having a healthy goal is one of the best things you can do to create lasting habits that make you feel amazing. Sign up for an event such as Coastrek, where you walk 30km or 60km with your besties while raising money for charity. When you commit to a goal with friends, you are more likely to follow through on that early morning walk or after-work gym session, ensuring you get outside and move your gorgeous bod more often.

Plus, a hike with friends for charity ticks multiple wellbeing boxes: fitness, nature, connection and giving back. It’s win, win, win, win.

7. Set screen limits

It’s becoming harder for us to step away from our screens, but it can be so good for our minds and our bodies to just put our phones away. Setting a limit on your screen usage can help you become aware of how much time you’re living in a virtual world.

Instead of answering emails on the fly, watching the next episode of a Netflix series, or mindlessly scrolling on Instagram, think about reading a book, or looking back at old photo albums, or listening to some music.

8. Do something good for someone else

Paying it forward makes you feel gooey and happy on the inside. But doing good doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple by treating your partner to their favourite meal, grabbing coffee for a colleague, smiling at a stranger, or donating to a good cause (wink wink, nudge nudge).

9. Stretch it out

Stretching and doing light yoga is a great way to boost your wellbeing and bring your awareness back to your body. Combine it with deep breathing, it’s the perfect way to wind down and quieten a chaotic or active mind.

10. Write down something you achieved

We can get caught up in the future and what’s still sitting on our to-do list. Take some time to think about what you’ve achieved in your day. That could be anything from taking the dog for a walk, to getting out of bed on time. Personal recognition is great for your self-awareness and self-esteem.

Boosting your wellbeing doesn’t have to be expensive or arduous. It certainly doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It’s making small, meaningful changes and decisions that eventually become habits. So try out one, two or all of these tips today, to boost your wellbeing!

Why not start now on your path to wellbeing and join Adelaide Coastrek on 20 September 2019 in the magical Fleurieu Peninsula, whilst supporting Beyond Blue.

Registrations close on 9 August. Register your team now at Coastrek.com.au using code ADELADY10 for 10% off!

Millie Looker

Millie Looker

Writer, Content Creator, Events Manager and Operations sensation, she’s the backbone to ensuring Adelady runs like clockwork.

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