Relaxation

Each year around this time, many of us take a few moments to reflect on the past 12 months and how to keep growing in ways to support our health and immunity as well as emotional and mental wellness.

2020 has been a year with numerous challenges for all of us. Uncertainty, fear, anxiety, isolation and loss were part of our lives. But, most of all, 2020 served up countless lessons. Without a pandemic, many of these lessons might have taken us a lifetime to learn.

1) We learned that health should not be taken for granted.
Health is not a guarantee. We need to strengthen our bodies against disease. How you eat, sleep, move and handle stress all influence the strength of your immune system.

2) We learned to build resilience and adapt in every situation.
Out of necessity, we had to try new things and learned new skills. We learned to connect to each other in different ways. We are definitely more open to new ideas and thoughts.

3) We learned to slow down.
Even though it took some time, pressing the pause button for a while showed us the value of living life at a slower pace. We learned to live in the moment and appreciate the small things more.

4) We learned to get around with less and give more.
Without the distractions, busyness, and noise of life as we knew it, we learned to focus on what really mattered. We had time to focus on activities to support our health, like more sleep, movement, healthy eating, connecting with others and gratitude. People decluttered their homes and cupboards. Most came out feeling less burdened and lighter. Many people realised how blessed they actually are and started engaging in acts of kindness like donating to charities or establishing feeding schemes.

5) We learned to appreciate each other more.
Many of us got to spend more time with a small group of people in very close proximity. It taught us to respect each other, accept each other and love each other for who we are. Having people that care about you is an essential part of emotional and mental wellbeing.

6) We learned how precious but also fragile life is.
We only have one life, and it is not guaranteed. We learned to make the most of every opportunity. We learned to not let the small things upset us so easily and also how to forgive easier.

My sincere wish is that we will take all of these lessons with us in the year ahead and face our wellness journey with loads of gratitude, patience, resiliency and love.