Sometimes the smallest healthy habits can have a big impact when practiced regularly. What are your favorite wellness rituals?

MY FAVORITE Wellness ritual is exercise. I enjoy walking when the sun is coming up. I focus on what is around me, such as the birds singing and the cotton tail rabbits eating grass. Occasionally, I will spot a deer or two. I feel balanced when I start the day with a nice walk. 
—B.T., Huntersville, NC

MUSIC DEFINITELY soothes my soul. I can get lost in classical Music, sing loudly to Broadway musicals, dance to popular music, and yes, metal and rap have their places, too.
—J.B. via Facebook

I LOVE A NICE spa moment. I don’t mean an actual expensive spa day, but a home spa moment. I usually like to have it in the morning on a day off where I let the natural sunlight into my bathroom. I also let the steam build up as I spray some lavender fragrance, use a face mask and just take a refreshing shower that is a little bit longer than normal. I also like to have a coffee date with my friends.
—A.M. via Facebook

LUNCH OUTSIDE. I carry a beach chair with a built-in canopy in my trunk. After a morning of artificial light, I welcome the sunlight and fresh air. My midday ritual grounds me and recharges me for the afternoon in a busy office.
—T.G., Lakewood Ranch, FL

EXERCISE IS THE MOST important wellness ritual to me. Sitting by running water or listening to running water in nature is very therapeutic. I love to go for pedicures and get my feet massaged—it’s so relaxing. I also find affirmations to be helpful when my mind is in repeat mode. They do clear out the negative thoughts. 
—D.S., Earlville, NY

I ENJOY HONEY, lemon, vinegar and cinnamon water. It eliminates the acidic levels in your body making it more alkaline. I need yoga daily—it brings balance to my energy, helping ground me.
—M.M., Cherryville, NC

I SET ASIDE 30 minutes to get in the water and take a long, leisurely shower. I use wonderfully-scented body wash and work up a luxurious lather. Then I exfoliate, and finally I rinse off and I finish by wrapping myself in a big fluffy towel. I’ve learned to make a shower a treat rather than a chore, and now I don’t even think about it, I just do it.
—M.L. via Facebook

EVERY AFTERNOON I take a relaxing “cuddle nap” with my x-large tuxedo cat. We spoon—he’s in front with his head on my arm and snuggled up against my chest. I clear my mind and focus on our cuddle.
—P.S. via Facebook

I LOVE TO LISTEN to music, exercise when I can, write poetry, do beadwork crafting, scrapbooking, adult coloring books, fishing and cooking.
—A.R. via Facebook

I TRY TO KEEP A ROUTINE: meals at the same times, going to bed and getting up at the same times, and taking meds at the same times.
—P.H. via Facebook

I ALLOW MYSELF to “take a break” from life—just breathe, relax, take a nap—whatever I feel like doing whenever I feel like doing it! I don’t put myself last anymore. I have my favorite non-alcoholic drink, such as iced tea and always stay hydrated with good ole water. Quiet time, white noise, relaxing music, and positive reading are also good.
—J.C., Pleasant Grove, UT

ON DAYS I’M battling a depressive episode I follow these wellness tips: before I start my day, I try to meditate and practice mindfulness to anchor my emotions and stay in control. I stay off social media because the overwhelming feeling of competition can trigger anxiety. I change the music I listen to in order to stay away from all emotional songs, because they’ll jog my memory to past trauma or future worries. I’ll listen to podcasts, talk radio or extremely happy songs. I stay away from habits that can put my brain in a dark place.
—C.H., Las Vegas, NV

WHEN I LAY DOWN at night, I review my day and focus on what planned or unplanned blessings came my way. I can always find many things to be thankful for, even if it is shelter and food for the day. Then I thank God.
—C.D., Springboro, OH

I ENJOY THE POOL—swimming, exercising, and laughing with friends in the pool. It makes the day go so much better.
—M.S., Red Deer, Alberta

I START OFF EVERY MORNING with a walk or bike ride. When I come back, I spend 20 minutes in meditation, which really helps me ground myself. I spend a good portion of the day reading about personal development and yoga. I do 30 minutes of cardio and 60 minutes of yoga in the afternoon. I do research on a variety of subjects in the evening, then bed at 8:30 pm. I also monitor the type of food that I eat and how much. I enjoy spending time alone as I find the world a little bit too noisy at times. I am always improving my health and wellness plan.
—R.V., Plymouth, MA

IT STARTS WITH COFFEE, seated outside before the house wakes up and as the early birds chirp and pink haze of dawn melts purplish into blue. I open up a poetry anthology and flip through the pages, eyes closed, until that moment when the thumb knows to rest. In reading I search, and in searching I find something to anchor me to the realities of life that day—a phrase, a line, a metaphor, an image—something to get me thinking beyond the confines of my own cycling thoughts. This ritual is my daily text.
—B.G., Sacramento, CA

I STOPPED CAFFEINE and am trying an earlier bedtime.
—R.H., Valparaiso, NE

I LOVE WEIGHT LIFTING. It forces me to remain active when I’m in depression and it helps me burn the excess energy that I experience when manic. It also lets me feel confident about myself when I’m in neutral. I have two gym memberships. The gym that where I workout 95% of the time is my social hangout and the other is a 24-hour gym that I go to when I’m depressed and just don’t feel like talking to anybody. I can go at any time, any day…no excuses. It’s a routine that keeps me busy and healthy all around.
—M.J., Tampa, FL

MAKING TO-DO LISTS and checking them off is my favorite wellness program. 
—C.C., West Richland, WA

I HAVE FOUND a few things that I try to do on a daily basis that help my bipolar disorder immensely: simple breathing and grounding exercises; hiking or exposure to nature and daily tarot card readings.
—Z.C., West Chester, OH

MY FAVORITES RIGHT now are opening the blinds, coffee on the swing with the music on. I am trying to add the elliptical and I did it today for 29 minutes. I realize that every morning may not be perfect so you take baby steps and celebrate…as you take those baby steps motivation will follow, I promise!
—T.K., Onalaska, AL

I TAKE MY MEDS at exactly the same time everyday. I know it seems tedious but it helps me remain balanced.
—A.M. via Facebook

IN THE WARMER MONTHS of the year, I find myself in the patches of clovers anywhere I go. Some days, I sit and find one, 10 or 30, but sometimes I find too many to count. I find my balance and sanity in the search and can usually clear my mind and think clearly again. It’s therapeutic.
—B.R., Clarksville, TN

WHEN GOING TO a restaurant and placing my order for ice water, I specify with lime instead of lemon. I like variety to prevent depression and lime has helped me add a little more happiness at times when I am feeling a bit down. 
—J. C., Attleboro, MA

Printed as “SoundOFF! on Wellness Rituals,” Fall 2018

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