In recent years, we’ve been hearing a lot about wellness and self-care, but what does wellness actually mean for real people?
When you think of wellness does it conjure up images of yoga, meditation and green juices? You’re not alone. While there’s nothing wrong with any of those things, they might not fit into your own life in a realistic way.
For me, wellness means whatever makes us feel whole, full, and good. Self-care is whatever we need to do to be our best selves. In short, wellness and self-care are what we need in order to sustain ourselves.
And this is exactly why the outdoors is the perfect vehicle for wellness.
Getting out into the wild and exploring gives us clarity when we’re feeling fuzzy and gives us glimpses of our true authentic selves. Romping through wide open fields has been essential in helping me stay connected with who I am at my core and to reaffirm that I can do hard things.
It allows us to disconnect from a busy world and be present and refuel our souls.
So how do we start this journey towards an individualized wellness plan that feels easy and doable? The first step is getting clear on what you actually need to be well. No cookie cutter options here!
Here’s an exercise for you to try the next time you’re in an outdoor space — whether it’s on your patio or up in the mountains. Close your eyes, take some deep breaths, and remember the last time you felt like your very best self.
What were you doing during this time? What made this time so memorable for you? What made it so fulfilling? Then look for the elements of that experience that you can bring into your everyday life.
When I think back on the times I felt like my best self, there are often elements of community, curiosity, and adventure. So, one piece of my personal wellness plan is exploring new outdoor spaces with my friends and family.
What experiences come to mind when you think of when you were your best self? How can you bring those elements into your everyday life?
Meet The team
NAILAH BLADES
Eddie Bauer One Outside Guide
A marketing consultant and leadership coach, Nailah never thought of herself as an outdoorsy person. But when she found herself dealing with the stresses of building a new business, being a new mother, and living in a new state away from all her family and friends, she and her husband started exploring local trails. It was an epiphany. The outdoors helped her slow down, listen to her heart, and reconnect with her passion.
