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Consistent Self-Care: How to Build a Routine That Sticks

Is self-care just a fantasy? It’s a calm Saturday morning… Cue the whimsical music. Dim the lights. Smell the Bath & Body Works candle aroma. You’re preparing yourself for a one-hour deep tissue massage. Free cucumber water is flowing by the gallon at a luxury spa in the middle of a peaceful forest. Bump! Another shopping cart hits yours. Reality check: you’re actually standing in the middle of a supermarket aisle, looking a step above disheveled in your joggers and that old hoodie with holes in the pockets. It’s your “day off,” yet here you are: running around like a chicken with its head cut off, trying to tackle a never-ending to-do list. The self-care you crave feels like an unreachable fantasy reserved for the Real Housewives of Orange County. Between working (and/or schooling), trying not to slip into full hermit mode, and simply trying to adult, the idea of spa-style self-care is laughable. Who has the time or the money to do that consistently? Unless, of course, ...
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Strategies To Stop Stress From Steering You Wrong

 Decisions + stress =….      Have you ever made a decision, only to look back and think, “Aw shucks (we’re sure that’s the word that came to mind), that was a really bad idea!” We’ve all been there. Whether it’s a small detour or a major life redirect, our choices shape the course of our lives. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t want to make good decisions? So why does it feel so hard sometimes? That’s a loaded question, but today we’re diving into one of the biggest culprits: stress .      Now, not all stress is bad. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) defines stress as our body’s and mind’s response to change or challenge. It can be physical—like a tough workout; emotional—like the excitement before your wedding; cognitive—like solving a tricky problem; or even spiritual—like the awe you feel in worship. Some stress is unavoidable and even essential for growth.      The problem is when stress turns harmful—when it’s driven ...
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The Science of Forgiveness: A Key to Better Health and Happiness

To forgive or not forgive?     Forgiveness. We love to receive it…but why do we hesitate to give it? Maybe because it feels risky. Letting go can seem like putting ourselves in danger of being hurt again. We feel vulnerable. Or maybe it’s because forgiveness forces us to face our pain. And if there’s one thing humans like to do, it’s shove our hurt into a dark box under our emotional beds. Now, forgiveness isn’t always a mountain to climb. For example, forgiving a co-worker for eating the sandwich we left in the staff fridge is usually not a big deal (well, most of the time). But forgiving someone for breaking our heart or treating us without dignity? That’s a completely different ballpark. Let’s be real—sometimes we feel justified in holding a grudge, especially when we’re dealing with repeat offenders. “I forgave them once and they did it again. If I forgive them again, they’ll just keep doing it.” “I have the right to be mad! They really hurt me.” “They didn’t forgive...
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4 Things Wellness Isn’t: Misconceptions You Should Know

    Defining Wellness….      Wellness is a word we hear everywhere — in schools, clinics, workplaces, mental health organizations, and all over social media. But what does it actually mean? At Wholistic Living, we define it as the sum of all the components of a person’s life, and the degree to which they align with both clinical standards and the individual’s personal values. In other words, wellness is about pursuing balance and living in a way that’s healthy and true to who you are (we’ll unpack this more later!).      Of course, having a definition is one thing — but what does that look like in real life? Because wellness touches every area of life, trying to cover it all would be way too overwhelming. So instead, we’ll start simple by looking at what wellness isn’t. Like a multiple-choice question, sometimes the process of elimination brings the clearest answer — and some of these might surprise you! 1. Wellness isn’t an aesthetic  ...
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