We all have things we do consistently—brushing our teeth, making a morning coffee, paying our bills, responding to emails—and whilst these routines can help keep our life and health in order, they’re not quite the same as a wellness ritual that can encourage feelings of happiness and support the mind, body and spirit. 

A ritual is a practice that’s carried out regularly, one that can not only create positive new habits that align with your values but is often an act of self-care that improves your well-being too. Some of the benefits of creating weekly wellness rituals include…

• Helps you to de-stress and reduce anxiety.
• Encourages feelings of joy and happiness.
• Promotes mindfulness and presence.
• Improves mental and physical health and well-being. 
• Creates positive habits that support growth and development.
• Connects us to self. 

Whilst we all want more feelings of happiness in our lives, it’s important to remember that everyone is on their own wellness journey, and what works for your bestie may not be your ritual of choice or one that works for you. Choose practices that you’re drawn to and that fill your cup, and if you’re new to this, start off slow—try incorporating one wellness ritual into your weekly routine at a time before introducing too many that don’t stick.

So, what are some weekly rituals that you can implement today that will not only promote wellness but will leave you feeling rejuvenated and nourished from the inside out? 

See some of our favourites below. 

CLEANSE YOUR SPACE

Have you ever noticed how when you come home to a clean house free of clutter, your mind feels calmer and less stressed? Whether it be a weekly physical clean from top to bottom whilst listening to your favourite tunes or podcast, or an energy cleanse of each room with a sage stick, your favourite incense and crystals, or just switching on your salt lamps, cleaning your space of clutter or negative energy will leave you feeling more organised as well as lighter and clearer mentally. 

MOVE YOUR BODY

It’s no secret that exercise is key to good health. Moving your body—either at the gym with an intense workout, a relaxed walk or dancing around the house to your favourite tunes (just us?), can not only strengthen your bones and muscles and reduce the risk of disease, but it also boosts mood and brain function too. The simple act of moving your body releases endorphins which help you to relieve stress and allows for any negative emotions that you may be holding onto, to travel through your body and be released.

Why not make a feel-good playlist that inspires you to get up and move, even for 5 minutes, each and every day (cue Queen Bey’s CUFF IT on repeat…)?!

USE AFFIRMATION CARDS

There are stacks of affirmation cards available these days, all designed to inspire, motivate and guide you when you need it most. Using affirmation cards as a daily or weekly wellness ritual is a fun way to connect with yourself and can also give some insight into where you’re at mentally or where you may need to bring some focus and attention to your life. Buy yourself a pack that resonates with you, and keep them by your bedside or somewhere close by. You could start each morning or week by pulling a card or allowing them to fall from the deck as you shuffle (we like doing it that way), and it’s a nice way to set the tone for the day or week ahead. 

GET OUT IN NATURE

Fresh air can do wonders for both the mind and body, and getting out in nature is a fantastic weekly ritual that will support overall wellness. It’s been proven that by spending a minimum of 2 hours outside per week (that’s just over 17 minutes each day!), you can significantly improve your health, boost your immune system, reduce stress and have a better night's sleep. You may choose to go for a walk down the beach with your pup, sit in a garden surrounded by greenery, or take a stroll outdoors on your lunch break—Mother Nature provides a tonne of appealing options—but by getting some daily vitamin D, you’re encouraging better breathing, alleviating feelings of depression and restoring your mental energy.

Thanks Mama N! 

SWITCH OFF & MEDITATE 

Meditation is a fantastic mindfulness practice that has proven to enhance well-being in multiple ways. Whether it’s for 5 minutes or 30, in the morning, at night or throughout your day, taking the time to meditate allows you to de-stress, focus on the present moment, increase self-awareness and calm the mind—simply by bringing your attention back to your breath. If you’re new to this whole meditation process, it can seem difficult to switch your mind off, so guided meditations can help, which are available on many downloadable apps (we love Insight Timer).

JOURNAL YOUR THOUGHTS

One of the most popular wellness rituals that boosts mindfulness and well-being is journaling. The simple act of getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper can not only alleviate stress and feelings of anxiety but can also help you to process emotions, deepen self-discovery and provide an outlet and tool for inner healing. Again, finding the time that works best for you will enable you to form a consistent daily or weekly habit that will offer many benefits both immediately and long term. 

Here are some tips on how to start the journaling process. 

• Start off small and set a timer for a few minutes to begin with, so you’re not overwhelmed by the process. 
• Let it all out—don’t re-read or edit as you’re writing. Write all thoughts and feelings down without thinking about them too much.
• Use journal prompts if you’re stuck on what to write about—they can be a great tool to access thoughts and emotions.
• Whether it’s using a blank notebook, the notes app on your phone or a blank Google doc, find the tool that works best for you and your lifestyle. 

EAT NOURISHING FOOD

Ensuring we fill our bodies with nutritional food will give us the fuel we need to function at our best, both physically and mentally, and will certainly encourage optimal health and well-being. It’s important to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables in all the colours of the rainbow, as this will provide us with a mix of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that support gut health, boost immunity, increase energy and improve brain focus and function.

A fun weekly ritual that encourages wellness could be visiting your local farmers market on a Sunday where you can pick up a heap of fresh produce, or if you enjoy cooking, you might like to spend part of your weekend planning and preparing nourishing meals for the week ahead—which means less time in the kitchen after a busy work day, and more time to be able to do the things you love. 

READ A BOOK

Curling up on the couch or in bed with a book has long provided benefits to both the mind and body. Besides improving vocabulary, knowledge and your own grammar and writing skills, reading for just 6 minutes a day can reduce stress, relax the muscles and alter your state of mind. These days, many of us opt for an electronic device like a Kindle over a paperback or hardcover to read our latest novel, but whilst reading before bed can encourage a good night’s rest, be mindful that reading on a device can actually cause you to stay awake longer due to the light emitted.

Whether it be a non-fiction book that encourages personal growth and development, or a fiction book that allows you to escape to another world altogether, reading is a favourite pastime and weekly ritual that promotes wellness. 

OUR GO-TO WELLNESS RITUALS

Our team at Happy Way loves a good wellness ritual—one that allows us to switch off, unwind and get back to self. So, what are our favourite weekly rituals that promote wellness? 

See our faves below. 

MORGAN

'Going to the gym every morning gives me an outlet and the energy to conquer the day.'

CHARLOTTE

‘Afternoon beach walks—my favourite way to clear and reset my mind after a long day.'

OLIVIA

‘Ocean swims in the morning! No matter the weather, it always makes me feel refreshed and ready for the day. It’s a better energy hit than a shot of espresso!’

STACEY

‘A beach session with my pup every Sunday morning. It’s become a weekly thing—we pick up coffee on the way and stop by the bakery on the way home.'

NATALIA

‘Morning meditation–it helps me set my day by reducing any worries or stress and improving my mental clarity.’

LOUISE

‘I love ocean swims as I feel so fresh and inspired after a dip in the cold water. I also love exercising and going out for coffee—it’s a lovely treat and a great way to start the day.'

LILY

‘I like to pop on my headphones, dance my way around my room and clean/re-organise my space before going to bed each day. Once I’ve done this, I kick back and chill with a book or watch a show to disconnect and reset.'

EMMA

'I love setting quiet time aside in the mornings to sit outside with my pup and enjoy my morning coffee with no phone or distraction. There's also nothing better than a good sweat out from exercise, followed by a cold shower to feel super refreshed!'