3 Tips for Getting Started With Essential Wellness Practices in the New Year

Recently, SentryOne offered an employee Wellness Week focused on both mental and physical health. SentryOne team members could virtually participate in guided meditations, team walks, workouts, and yoga with a trainer, and information sessions with a nutritionist. We had great participation and received positive feedback from team members—in fact, our employees asked for more meditation sessions and team walks, so we have continued to offer one-off virtual wellness sessions when possible.

I'm in no way an expert when it comes to wellness. I try to take care of myself, and I think wellbeing should be a top priority for everyone. After all, without your health, what have you got? But after working with the SentryOne Engagement and Leadership (SEAL) team to organize our Wellness Week, I was asked to share some basic tips for getting started focusing on health and wellness. I hope these simple tips, which are applicable to almost everyone and can have a real impact on your quality of life, will help you begin or continue your personal wellness journey.

Tip #1: Get Enough Rest

For most people nowadays, the mentality seems to always be “go, go, go” and “How much can I get done today?” Although it's important to be motivated, it's just as important to make sure your body and mind have a chance to recharge. Just like a car battery gets rundown after a certain amount of usage, people do, too.

Start with small changes. For example, go to bed 30 minutes earlier than you typically do or, if you can, wake up 15 minutes later. Add in a 20-minute power nap on the weekend. These small changes to how much rest you get will add up, and you might be surprised how much better you feel, both physically and mentally. Here's a great article from Shape Magazine on seven types of rest your body needs.

Tip #2: Make Time for Movement Throughout the Day

On the other end of the spectrum, it's also important to get enough movement throughout the day. Although the practice of going for a walk in the morning before work or in the evening after work is great, it's just as important for you to stand up and walk around during your workday.

We do so much damage to our bodies when we stay still for hours on end. Say it with me—“This email can wait!” If you're constantly in meetings, turn your web camera off, pick up your laptop, and walk around the house, even for just five minutes. The health benefits of doing so will be tremendous. (Check out this study, which discusses the negative effects too much sitting can have on your health.)

I have my Fitbit set up to alert me if I haven't taken 250 steps in a given hour. If you don’t have a fitness tracker, you can set a reminder on your phone or computer to get up and get the blood pumping.

Tip # 3: Spend Less Time Online and More Time on You

It's easy in the current world we live in to focus on the bad. Between the news and social media, you can bury yourself in negativity. I'd like to challenge you to spend less time on these platforms and instead use the time to do something for yourself that makes you feel good. For example, read a book, learn a new skill, try a new hobby, meditate, or help the less fortunate. There are so many ways to spend your time more productively than vegging out on the couch for hours.

Take the Time to Focus on Your Mental and Physical Health

No matter where you are on your wellness journey, there’s always room for improvement. Now, more than ever, is the time to focus on the welfare of you and your loved ones.

Also, one bonus tip—find someone to be your accountability buddy in your fitness journey. Doing so will help keep you both motivated as you encourage one another.

Although it's important to push yourself to do better, it's just as vital to celebrate the small wins along the way. Build up others, and yourself, and you'll immediately start to feel better.