I have seen lots of influencers and content creators sharing their “healthy girl habits” for the year over the last year or so. Most of them are focused around exercise and diet, and rarely acknowledge the most “healthy” habits of all don’t relate to these topics. True wellness is about more than just the physical: it incorporates your mental, emotional, and psychological health. Look out for a more thorough post about what wellness and health truly mean to me coming later in the week.
This month, as we head into Spring – a season often associated with new life, hope and motivation – let’s reframe this idea of “healthy habits” to focus on. Instead of exercise and food, let’s focus on the mind, emotions and everyday life.
Prioritise Mental Rest & Downtime
The Importance of Real Rest
Real rest – not just scrolling on your phone – is something which I know a lot of us struggle with. Take me, for example, who doesn’t know the meaning of rest a lot of the time! Even in bed watching Netflix, I’m scrolling through new content ideas and inspo for blog posts, or writing in my journal, or writing, or… you get the idea.
A goal for March is to spend some time away from the screens, textbooks and “productivity”, and set aside time for reading, or simply sitting in silence. Whatever you can class (in someway) as “not-productive” in our over-achieving brains, find it. Even these small things are productive, and not in the traditional sense, but rather for our brains (which REALLY need a rest) – the power of doing nothing, without the guilt.
Romanticise the Small Moments
Finding Joy in Simple Things
Seeing the greatness in those little things can be a superb form of self-care for a lot of us – and something which none of us nearly as often as we should. Things like making your morning coffee a special routine, lighting a candle whilst doing your skincare, using your “fancy” perfume as an everyday one, watching the rain fall on the window, wearing your favourite pyjamas… those littles things that lift you up and helps you focus on the present moment.
Sometimes we all just need to slow down and appreciate life’s tiny pleasures, go back to the basics and simply be.
Set Boundaries That Actually Serve You
Protect Your Own Energy
Boundaries aren’t just about saying “no” to others – they’re about saying “yes” to yourself. Protecting your inner self is one of the most important things we can do in life. Yes, it may seem rude or inconsiderate to those people who are yet to start this journey. Ignore them, and focus on doing what works for you.
Boundaries can be anything from saying “no” to social events on days you know you’ll be busy or potentially anxious (or cancelling an hour before the event), to limiting work after 5pm, putting up guards in certain ways in relationships, and all in all protecting your peace. You don’t need to feel guilty for doing so – do what you need to do.
Write Yourself A “Dopamine Checklist”
Create A List of What Lifts You
Too often we focus on the negatives in life – glass half-full, and all that. We forget all those little (and big) things that raise us up, instead of the things that drain us.
A dopamine list is a collection of small, healthy activities that bring you genuine joy and satisfaction – without relying on instant, artificial dopamine hits (like endless scrolling). The goal is to have a go-to list of mood-boosting actions that naturally regulate your dopamine levels and make you feel good in the long run.
I’ll give some examples: hugging your pet, playing your favourite song or upbeat music, putting on a comfy outfit, watching the sunset, reading a good book, making a cosy hot drink, having a lazy morning, nights in.
Lean Into Hobbies That Have Nothing to Do with Productivity
The Importance of Doing Things Just for the Fun of it
Finding new hobbies that have no association to your idea of productivity is what’s going to help break your cycle of of always needing to be productive. It’s hard, I know, and I’m still working on this too, especially when it feels like there is no time to pick up anything else. What do I say to that? Make the damn time for it.
Some examples: read a new genre, doodling, dance parties, puzzles, learn a new language on Duolingo, learn a new software like Canva or Blender, crosswords, or even become a plant mum!
There’s loads more actually “healthy” habits I could introduce to you, but maybe we’ll do a “part two” on this!
Let me know if you pick up any of these ideas – especially the dopamine list!
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