Wellness can be defined in many different ways depending on the individual and their goals. But an overarching definition is a set of practices that one does in order to improve their health and wellbeing and to feel their best. Within wellness there are many areas one can explore, along with practices they can adopt to achieve this. Our wellness community draws from the principles within mindfulness and meditation practices, along with fitness, nutrition and social well-being as key areas that are included in a wellness routine.

Mindfulness is the act of living presently, being aware of your thoughts and feelings in the moment and using this awareness to help slow down, decrease stress, increase productivity and manage energy levels.   

A formal practice that dedicates a certain amount of time to engage in focused, reflective or visual thinking to calm the mind, reduce negative thoughts and manage stress. In many cultures and world religions prayer is also a form of meditation that can be used to connect to a higher source and promote focused and positive thinking.

1. Decide what type of meditation you’ll be focusing on. The most common types are focused meditation, open-monitoring meditation, guided meditation, journalling and visual mediation. 

2. Find a quiet space in your home to engage in your practice.

3. Determine the time of day you’d like to practice.

4. Decide whether you want to include aspects of religion or spirituality in your practice. Many world religions including Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity include teachings on meditation and thoughtful reflection.

5. Decide on consistency. How often you would like to practice and sticking to the routine. This may be once a week to even once a day. 

The time you choose to dedicate to your meditation practice is a personal one, and entirely up to you. Studies have shown that a practice as little as 10-15 minutes a day can have a tremendous impact on long term life satisfaction. Experience mediators have been known to practice for extended periods of time, even up to an hour. For beginners, it is good to start small and slowly increase your time as you become better at doing the type of meditation practice you choose. If you find you aren't quite ready yet to commit to a routine, a journalling practice is a great entry way to developing a routine that can help you focus and clam your thoughts through writing.