7 Proven Well-Being Boosters (4 are Free!) to Feel Your Best in 2025
There's an all too common phrase I often hear right around this time of year. It's called "The February Funk" and it can happen if we realize we're not quite following through on all of our "New Year, New You" goals and New Year's Resolutions.
If you're not in this group and you're actually following through on all of your 2025 New Year's Resolutions let me just say Congratulations and Keep it Up! But for the rest of us who might have bitten off more than we can chew with our grand resolutions, plans and ideas, this article is for us.
My hope is that this article helps our Long Beach Day Spa clients, as well as anyone else feeling the dreaded February funk, to take off some of that self-imposed pressure and get back to what you're probably seeking a few layers deeper: A better sense of Wellbeing. You'll find some wonderful well-being boosters within this article, some of which you can find in our wellness spa packages here at Ambiance.
A new year brings new aspirations, hopes and maybe even a new dream or two. What will I do differently this year? How will I be better? As the new year begins we might find ourselves full of optimistic thoughts about what we will accomplish, learn or simply follow-through on in the year ahead.
With all of these resolutions we might just be missing the point. I only wish I had gotten to the root of all this sooner. As I've grown and matured I've truly begun to realize the act of checking off new accomplishments will not necessarily bring me what I'm actually seeking.
At the root of my new year's optimism I'm actually seeking a stronger sense of well-being and true happiness. Achieving a stronger sense of well-being will only make the journey more enjoyable and take my focus off of a checklist of Dos and Don'ts or Wills and Will Nots.
Buddha's approach to wellbeing is pragmatic, focusing on what works to alleviate suffering and promote happiness
So, with this in mind, I believe in directly seeking personal well-being through certain actions, rather than hoping the next victory, accomplishment or promotion, will give me what I'm looking for or fill a void I didn't even know I had.
Achieving well-being starts with a clear list of options and actions, specific ways we can make the new year a break though period for well-being and true happiness.
In my own experience it can be equally effective to make a second list, outlining the ways our well-being can be inhibited or limited. That's right, I think naming your wellbeing blocks can actually help eliminate obstacles to your true happiness and joy. Simply jotting down your blocks can drain their power almost instantly. Try it out, you'll see! The moment you list a wellbeing blocker you'll reduce its power by ten fold.
While I can't tell you what should go on your wellbeing blockers list I can give you an example from my own life: If I let myself drift away from my regular yoga routine for more than a week or two I now know I am robbing myself of a feel-good energy I need and count on for my wellbeing.
Now, onto wellbeing promoters backed by science, as well as mounds of anecdotal evidence.
1) Meditation Promotes a Sense of Wellbeing
A surefire way I've been able to tend to my own well-being regularly is by meditating. Meditation can enhance your well-being significantly. Meditating is well studied for reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep quality, and boosting cognitive skills.
Meditating helps manage stress by redirecting your thoughts to calm your mind, which can lower physiological markers of stress such as cortisol and heart rate, leading to better overall health and well-being.
In my experience, meditation is almost always an instant mood booster. It also promotes positive self-image, which can help in managing conditions like depression and anxiety. Additionally, it can improve memory and mental clarity, potentially helping to fight age-related memory loss and dementia.
Regular meditation can lead to improved sleep patterns, reduced pain, and enhanced willpower, which can help you avoid unhelpful habits. It can also increase attention span, allowing you to stay focused longer.
Moreover, meditation has been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve immune function, contributing to overall health and longevity. It can also help with addiction recovery by providing grounding techniques for stressful situations and improving awareness of triggers and the ability to curb cravings.
To start a meditation practice, choose a quiet, calming, and comfortable place, and set aside time each day to meditate. You can explore different types of meditation, such as concentration, heart-centered, mindfulness, or walking meditation, to find the one that best suits you.
Regular practice is key to experiencing the full benefits of meditation, and it can be a powerful tool for enhancing your overall quality of life
2) Infrared Sauna Therapy Can Enhance Wellbeing
Adding infrared sauna to your weekly routine can enhance your sense of wellbeing through several mechanisms. Firstly, sauna promotes relaxation and can reduce stress and anxiety, which can improve your overall mood and mental health. This is supported by the idea that the heat and relaxation provided by an infrared sauna can mimic the effects of exercise, leading to similar health benefits, including stress relief and improved sleep patterns.
Additionally, a lay-down sauna pod can help with muscle recovery and pain relief, which can contribute to a better sense of wellbeing. The heat from the infrared lamps penetrates deeply into the skin, muscles, and tissues, improving blood circulation and oxygen flow. This can help alleviate soreness and minor pain, making you feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Furthermore, regular use of an infrared sauna may boost your immune system and improve cardiovascular health, which can contribute to a general feeling of wellness. The increased circulation and detoxification effects can also help your body function more efficiently, potentially leading to a more positive sense of wellbeing.
It's important to note that while infrared saunas are generally safe for most people, you should consult with a healthcare provider if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns before starting regular use.
3) Wellbeing Through Improved Relationships
The link between wellbeing and improving relationships is well documented and studies. Healthy relationships can significantly enhance your sense of wellbeing by providing emotional support, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of belonging.
Positive relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners can contribute to greater happiness, improved physical health, and a higher quality of life.
Healthy relationships are essential for mental health and overall well-being. They can lower rates of anxiety and depression by offering a sense of security and reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. Additionally, supportive relationships contribute to improved self-esteem and a stronger immune system, which can lead to better physical health.
Moreover, engaging in activities that strengthen relationships, such as open and honest communication, active listening, and setting boundaries, can help build resilience and protect mental health. These activities promote mutual respect, trust, and understanding, which are crucial for maintaining healthy relationships.
Nurturing and maintaining positive relationships can have a profound impact on your sense of wellbeing by enhancing your mental and physical health, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of belonging and security
4) Enhanced Wellbeing with Salt Rooms Therapy
Halotherapy, also known as salt rooms, has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. This natural practice involves inhaling microscopic salt particles, which can help detoxify the body and promote relaxation, contributing to a better sense of well-being.
Halotherapy, which is included in our Wellness Offerings Package at Ambiance Day Spa involves inhaling fine salt particles to detoxify the body and reduce stress, leading to an improved sense of well-being.
5) Wellbeing with an Exercise Routine
It may seem obvious to you but many people still don't realize exercising can enhance your sense of wellbeing significantly. Fitness training can reduce stress and anxiety through the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Regular physical activity can also improve your sleep quality, which in turn helps manage your mood and overall mental health.
Additionally, exercise can boost your self-esteem and provide opportunities to socialize and gain social support, especially when you engage in activities with others. Engaging in mindful exercise, where you focus on the sensations of your body during physical activity, can further enhance these benefits by interrupting the cycle of negative thoughts.
6) Massage and Lymphatic Drainage for Wellbeing
I've found that massage therapy can enhance my sense of wellbeing by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. Many types of compression therapy and lymphatic drainage massage can also improve your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety and depression. Additionally, massage therapy may help you sleep better, which can further contribute to your overall sense of wellbeing.
By releasing endorphins, the brain chemicals that produce feelings of wellbeing, compression therapy can create a deep sense of calm and relaxation. Massage therapists can develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs to decrease stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
7) Beauty Treatments & Facials May Improve Wellbeing
Beauty treatments like facials and eyebrow tinting can significantly enhance your sense of wellbeing in several ways. A facial provides physical touch, which can alleviate symptoms of loneliness and offer comfort and companionship, especially after periods of social distancing or isolation. Additionally, facial treatments such as microdermabrasion can boost your confidence and self-esteem by enhancing your natural features and giving you a more defined, fuller look.
The process of eyelash tinting and brow tinting is affordable and quick, typically taking less than 15 minutes, and can last up to four to six weeks. This can reduce the need for daily makeup application, making your mornings smoother and less stressful.
Furthermore, the physical touch and care involved in these treatments can provide a sense of relaxation and pampering, contributing to an overall feeling of wellbeing.
In Conclusion
To let go of strict New Year's resolutions and focus on personal wellbeing, it's important to first understand the reasons behind your goals. Instead of setting sweeping changes, identify the underlying motivations that drive your desire for change. For instance, if your goal is to exercise more, ask yourself why you want to do this. Is it to improve your health, feel more energetic, or perhaps to manage stress better? Understanding what feeling you're seeking can help you find more enjoyable and sustainable ways to achieve your goals.
Next, shift your approach from rigid resolutions to flexible, manageable steps that contribute to your overall wellbeing, such as my suggestions listed here. Rather than setting one large goal, break it down into smaller, achievable tasks which will bring you a deeper sense of wellbeing.