International Mind Body Wellness Day - 8 FREE Ways to Celebrate This Year!

January 3rd is International Mind Body Wellness Day, a day that celebrates a holistic approach to health. It is a day to remind ourselves that we are multi-faceted beings, and that our health is not only defined by our physical wellbeing.

To truly be healthy we need to address our mental, emotional, and spiritual well being just as much as our physical health. This is how we achieve self-harmony. 

International Mind Body Wellness Day is celebrated at the beginning of every year as a reminder to set new goals and ambitions that align with our holistic health. 

This year we wanted to share with you some ways you can celebrate Mind Body Wellness Day for FREE. These eight practices can all be easily implemented into your everyday life to help improve your total wellbeing. 

1. GO FOR A WALK OR RUN IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS

We all know the positive effects exercise has on our physical and mental health, but there is truly something therapeutic about exercising outdoors.

Walking along the beach with your toes between the sand or feeling the fresh, crisp wind hit your face as you run through the park can really help bring peace and mental clarity.

Outdoor exercise also challenges us to become stronger. By exposing ourselves to the elements and unpredictable environments we must adapt to the obstacles thrown at us by mother nature. Even the slightest drop in temperature, an incline, or a bumpy track forces us to work harder, helping to build a stronger and more resilient mind and body.

Benefits of exercising outdoors: 

• Lowers blood pressure.
• Soak in some Vitamin D.
• Builds a stronger mind and body.
• Heightened moods.
• Feel stronger, physically and mentally.

2. DO YOUR FAVOURITE MINDFULNESS PRACTICE

Mindfulness is a practice that requires us to slow down, take a breath, and focus on the present moment, so that we can bring awareness to our thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without interpretation or judgement. 

Typically when people think of how they can achieve a state of mindfulness they retreat to meditation, and whilst this is an excellent practice it isn't the only one.

It's important to find a mindfulness practice that works with your body and temperament, whether that's yoga, by completing an act of kindness, walking, the body scan practice, self-affirmations, or anything else that helps you achieve mental simplicity.  

Benefits of mindfulness:

• Reduced stress, anxiety and depression.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Improved sleep.
• Mental clarity. 
• Better self-awareness.

3. PAT A FURRY FRIEND

We are all animal lovers here at World Fitness, and honestly, nothing puts a bigger smile on our faces than patting a furry friend, and there are plenty of reasons why. 

Spending time with animals helps to reduce anxiety and depression by decreasing our feelings of loneliness and boosting our sense of happiness. Overall this tends to help us feel a lot calmer and more emotionally stable. 

On a physical level, interacting with animals has been proven to increase our immune functioning and reduce feelings of pain.

Benefits of spending time with animals: 

• Feel more calm.
• Increase your emotional stability.
• Pain reduction.
• Reduce anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness.
• Better immunity. 

4. COOK UP YOUR FAVE FOOD

This isn't where we tell you to eat your greens and cut out sugar. We are all about balance here. And honestly, sometimes there is nothing more pleasing than digging into your favourite food.

To be clear, we aren't telling you to go out and over indulge on whatever you want for the entire day. But choose a meal, enjoy whatever you want, and help your taste buds and tummy feel satisfied (it may even put a bigger smile on your dial than patting a four legged friend). 

Benefits of eating your favourite food:

• Increased levels of dopamine.
• Developing a healthy relationship with food.
• Consuming required energy and nutrients. 

5. GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

Sleep plays a crucial role in all aspects of your health, as it is while we are asleep that our mind and body does the majority of its repairs and restoration.

Getting enough shut eye improves our immunity, clears out toxins, and ensures we are performing at our peak.

Benefits of a good night's sleep:

• Improved immunity. 
• Lower risk of developing serious health conditions. 
• Enhanced mood. 
• Improved mental functioning. 

6. ASK SOMEONE TO TELL YOU A JOKE 

We've all heard the saying 'laughter is the best medicine', and boy is that the truth!

There is honestly no better feeling than laughing till your cheeks hurt and you can barely breathe. And besides from the instant mood booster, laughter can also  improve your immunity, increase your heart functioning and burn excess calories.

Benefits of laughter: 

• Lower blood pressure.
• Strengthened immune system.
• Reduced stress. 
• Enhanced mood. 

7. LISTEN TO YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE SONG

And when we say listen to your favourite song, we mean scream it at the top of your lungs and dance like no one is watching. 

Music can be extremely freeing, and even if you are musically inclined you'd be surprised at how good you feel after chucking on your dancing shoes and belting out a song. 

Benefits of singing:

• Increased lung functioning.
• Helps you to feel relaxed.
• Enhanced self-esteem. 

Benefits of dancing:

• Increased muscular endurance.
• Increased strength.
• Helps with weight management.

8. TAKE A VIRTUAL GYM CLASS

Build a stronger, fitter, healthier you whilst getting those endorphins pumping by taking a virtual gym class.

With access to so many free resources online why not take advantage of it? 

Below we have shared some of our own workout videos for some inspiration. 

Benefits of virtual exercise classes:

• Schedule flexibility. 
• HUGE variety of classes to choose from.
• Exercise in a comfortable environment (whether that’s from home or somewhere outdoors). 

We hope you enjoyed these ideas on how to celebrate International Mind Body Wellness Day for 2022, and if you tried any of these practices we would love to hear about it in the comments section below!