Top tips on how to put your wellbeing first with the rising costs of living 

It’s no secret that the cost of living is rising at a pretty alarming rate and the world is becoming a pretty stressful place to exist. It’s more important than ever that we take care of ourselves and prioritise our wellbeing to avoid things like burnout and poor mental and/or physical health. 

With price points going up, how can we keep costs of wellness down? Well I’m glad you asked! I’ll be honest, I didn’t start working in Yoga to get rich, but it has enriched my life. In the decade of teaching yoga & working in wellness I’ve learnt a lot about keeping the costs of my wellbeing in budget. 

My top 5 tips to keep the costs of Wellbeing low, but high up on your priorities list: 

Make a plan.

Wellbeing & Self-care will mean different things to each of us and taking some time to reflect on what helps you to feel good in yourself is a great place to start. Make a list of all the things that help support your wellbeing and represent self-care for you. Next to these things write down any costs associated with them. 

The dictionary defines Self-Care as “The practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.”

Hopefully you’ll be surprised by how many of these things can be free or very affordable. Things like journaling, walking, spending time in nature, cooking, taking a long hot bath, getting creative, dancing, writing ,reading, yoga or spending time with the people you love can be easy to schedule into your week without breaking the bank. Block out an evening every week or some set time that is totally dedicated to self-care and wellbeing. Put it in your calendar and make it non negotiable! 

Mix it up.

With so much digital content at our fingertips and just about everyone creating content online it’s a great time to mix up your Wellbeing routine and try new things without having to spend a penny! Get online and take your pick from an ever growing world of guided meditations, self-massage, gong baths, podcasts, workshops, tools & classes. 

Nature is still free!

⁣Nature is the best & most effective form of self-care I know! ⁣ It’s open 24/7, it’s healing, it’s reliable, it’s judgment free, it’s therapeutic and it’s free! My best advice for anyone who is struggling with their mental health atm is to get outside & spend some time in the Natural World. ⁣Look up at the sky, go for a walk, breathe, maybe even hug a tree if you feel inclined but take some time to appreciate how amazing the natural world is & get away from screens, technology & the media. 

Breathe.

Did you know that a regular breathwork practice of just 5-10 minutes each day can help to strengthen your nervous system, improve mental resilience, reduce stress & anxiety ⁣and help relax your body & mind? Your breath is always accessible, always there and always free! 

Try laying flat on your back and bringing one hand onto your chest and one hand below your navel. Focus on your breath and start to slow it down, inhaling and exhaling through your nose. Start to breathe down into  your lower hand, deepening your breath. With every inhale lengthen the breath and with each exhale simply enjoy the sensation of release and letting go.

Take control. 

So many of us  have a negative money mindset and relationship with our finances. Sticking to a budget may sound dull but it can also help you to feel empowered and in control. Start by making a list of all your set outgoings vs. your income so you can create a budget for yourself each week. There are tonnes of apps out there now to help track spending but making small changes like cutting back on buying coffees everyday, walking instead of getting the tube or making lunch instead of buying it out can make a big difference. 

To shift your money mindset and freshen up your relationship with money check out our 9 part series made up of our easy to digest  10 minute videos with Money & Mindset Coach Laura Ann Moore. In this series our finance guru Laura will take you on your very own personal finance journey looking at Money Mindset, Saving & Spending Intentionally & setting Financial Goals for the future. 

About Liz Joy Hardie

Liz Joy Hardie is Yoga Teacher, Holistic Wellbeing Coach and Head of Vibes at MoreYoga, co-running our MoreMind Project with Stephanie Minchin, coordinating events, content and workshops focused on better supporting our communities mental and physical wellbeing. After starting her career in the fast-paced world of luxury fashion Liz came to Yoga after being diagnosed with Malignant Hypertension and Generalized Anxiety and left with the goal of helping others to lead healthier lives holistically. Liz went on to spent a year working at the Safe Childhoods Foundation in Indonesia, an NGO committed to combatting organized crimes against children, she began to understand the true benefits of Yoga, Meditation and Psychology as therapeutic tools and describes this as a time of total transformation.

Now back in London, Liz is passionate about helping people achieve a healthier, happier lifestyle through her work. She loves bringing people together, encouraging authentic connection and is happiest when facilitating retreats, workshops and events based around Yoga, Positive Psychology and Holistic Wellbeing.

Liz teaches Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin & Restorative Yoga, specialising in teaching Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation to improve stress & anxiety. She combines this with her work as a Holistic Wellbeing Coach & is dedicated to spreading Joy through her work.