7 things we’ve learnt about better wellbeing this year

From floating to tapping to the fine art of doing nothing at all, these are the top ways people have destressed and recharged in 2019.

Wellbeing and mental health have been on the agenda big time this year, with more of us putting greater focus on ditching stress and finding balance.

These are the wellbeing trends we’ve talking about in 2019.

Tapping into stress relief

Unlocking feelings of stress and anxiety could be as simple as tapping your fingers to certain pressure points on your face and upper body.

Tapping – also known as emotional freedom techniques – has been used to help manage food cravings, smoking, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and pain.

Using eight tapping points, participants gently tap each point while repeating a simple phrase that describes the emotion they’re feeling.

Researchers from Queensland’s Bond University say tapping helps lower cortisol in our body that increases stress.

If it floats your boat

Letting your troubles simply float away may sound idyllic, but floatation therapy is increasingly gaining favour as a way to relax and recharge.

Part meditation, part muscle recovery therapy, floating is a sensory deprivation experience in a gravity-free environment such as a float pod.

Participants float in a warm magnesium salt bath about 25cm-deep with minimal or no lighting to promote an ideal state for relaxation.

The lack of stimulants helps clear the mind, while the magnesium helps relieve sore muscles and joints.

Salt for better breathing

Australians are getting behind the healing properties of salt as a treatment for asthma and respiratory conditions.

“Salt caves” are springing up around the country offering a spa-like experience as participants breathe in negatively ionised salt particles infused into the air.

The all natural therapy is said to help clear mucus, kill bacteria and viruses, and reduce inflammation throughout the respiratory system.

It may also assist psoriasis, acne, eczema and dry skin.

The art of doing sweet-Niksen

Doing absolutely nothing might be the best thing you can do for yourself, according to the Dutch practice Niksen.

An antidote to our increasingly crazy-busy lifestyles, Niksen is a stress-reducing practice that requires you to do nothing at all.

Niksen encourages you to simply be still for a few moments, let your mind wander, and allow yourself time to recharge.

Doing so is said to promote feelings of peacefulness and provide space for your mind to grow,  create and imagine.

Soothing sound therapy

As we’re constantly searching for new ways to relieve stress, the ancient practice of sound baths has gained new traction.

Thought to help people unwind, sound baths are considered an immersive and calming experience.

Tuning into the sound of gongs, shamanic drums, singing bowls, rattles, shakers, bells or wind chimes is meant to encourage a deep relaxation by slowing down the brainwaves which places the body in an optimum state for healing.

Defeated, but not beaten

“You learn more from your losses than your wins” is not a new concept.

And while we might not like the idea of losing, learning to appreciate the benefits of defeat was back on our radar this year.

Leading Australian psychologist Mandy Deeks reminded us that defeat provides a great opportunity to learn and grow – to stop and reflect on our position and reassess our position if necessary.

Digital tidy up

As the craze in decluttering our physical surrounds saw Marie Kondo become a verb, it didn’t take long before our attention turned to clearing out our digital space too.

Researchers say digital hoarding has the potential to cause similar stress as when we squirrel too much into our physical lives.

Increased access to digital storage space has allowed us to build up reams of photos, emails, and documents on our computers.

A digital de-clutter should cover photos, social media, emails, passwords, and documents.

Much like a physical clear out, a digital cleanse is a time consuming job, but is said to be good for the soul.

Written by Claire Burke.

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