Wellness is one of the hottest topics on Meetup. A term that describes the cultivation of habits that result in long-term health or wellbeing, wellness is more than a passing trend. It’s a major aspect of personal growth and self-care. In this article, we’ll share popular wellness activities and advice for creating a wellness practice that works for you. Learn to move beyond the day-to-day grind of surviving and focus on wellness to start thriving.
Understanding the Essence of Wellness Activities
The Definition of Wellness Activities
Wellness activities are regular practices that build healthy habits. Habit is a key piece of the puzzle. Running a 5k race may be a healthy activity, but it isn’t a wellness activity unless it’s something you do often. Wellness activities are practices. Completing a race may not be an example of wellness, but taking up running as a hobby is. For running to be your wellness activity, you should be running once or several times per week.
The Importance of Incorporating Wellness Activities into Your Routine
We all have routines. For some, the mornings are jam-packed with exercise, preparing a nutritious meal, and commuting to work. Others ease into the day with some journaling or meditation. Some people start their day by silencing alarms and then hopping on their phones to check unread texts, email messages, and social media notifications.
Some routines are healthier than others. By incorporating wellness activities into your routine, you’ll set yourself up for many benefits including reduced stress, improved sleep, better moods, and higher rates of productivity.
Benefits of Joining a Wellness Group
Building a Supportive Community
By joining a wellness group, you unlock several benefits at once. First, if wellness is a group practice you get to meet new people in your area who share some of your interests. Spending time with friends and having strong social connections are major indicators of lifelong satisfaction and wellness. Secondly, having a social network of people interested in wellness will make you more likely to practice wellness activities. A community can hold you accountable and keep you motivated.
Access to Expert Guidance
If you’re seeking wellness advice from experts and world-renowned leaders, read up on the biographies of meditation, yoga, or other wellness instructors to see who you’ll be learning from. Talk to friends: word of mouth is a wonderful source for finding teachers.
Though it’s not a requirement, many Meetup group organizers are experts in their field. The next time you join a Meetup event, chat with the organizer about their experience with the group’s topic.
Diverse Wellness Experiences
There are as many ways to practice wellness as there are people practicing wellness. Join a community near you to meet people with similar interests but different life experiences and diversify your life!
How to Choose the Right Meetup Wellness Group
Identifying Your Wellness Goals
One way to go about choosing a wellness group is to think about the result you desire. Are you trying to have more energy? Become more flexible? One or several wellness activities might come to mind as good starting points for your journey. If you’re looking for physical fitness, try yoga or mindfulness walks. If you want mental clarity, consider meditation or journaling.
Researching Local Wellness Groups
Another way to start practicing wellness regularly is to find a group that meets your needs. Between work and household commitments, it can be difficult to find time for wellness activities. Search for some groups on Meetup near you to find a community that works for your lifestyle. For example, some groups meet in the early morning to kick off the day with an energizing yoga session. Other groups meet in the evenings for a vegan meal and some socializing to recharge after a long day. Find a Meetup health and wellness community near you.
Evaluating Group Dynamics
Every wellness group is different. Your holistic health community may be full of chatty people who become your lifelong friends. Your evening sound bath crew might be full of introverts who prefer to mediate and leave. Like individuals, groups of people have a distinct feel and vibe. When evaluating groups, the best thing to do is to keep an open mind and try lots of community events to find a group that matches your energy.
Popular Wellness Activities You Can Try Today
Yoga and Meditation Sessions
Two of the most popular wellness activities on Meetup are yoga and meditation and for good reasons. Both have ancient roots and are connected to improvements in wellbeing, physical health, and stress reduction.
The benefits and versatility of these activities make them a mainstay of wellness enthusiasts around the world. Yoga and meditation sessions are popular on Meetup year-round. They can be practiced indoors or outdoors, online or in-person, and with a group or alone. Some people make both a daily practice, while others prefer to reserve them for special occasions and awareness days like National Relaxation Day.
Outdoor Fitness and Hiking Adventures
Outdoor fitness activities like hiking, running, and walking are other popular and satisfying ways to work wellness into your lifestyle. Find an active group near you by searching for outdoor adventure groups on Meetup. By joining a group for popular outdoor activities, you’ll be working on wellness while building your social circle and exploring new and exciting natural landscapes in your region.
Nutrition and Cooking Workshops
You’ve probably heard the old adage: you are what you eat. And there is some truth to it. By nourishing yourself with balanced meals containing vegetables and lean proteins, you’ll have the energy to tackle what comes your way. Additionally, by finding an active food club near you, you can meet people who share your interest in healthy eating.
Check out nutrition clubs and cooking workshops to develop your culinary skills. Sample vegan menus and learn to cook healthy ingredients like legumes, tofu, grains, and other staples.
Wellness Beyond Your Daily Routine
Cultivating Wellness at Home
No matter which wellness activities you choose to pursue, the key is making it part of your routine. Make a small goal for your wellness practice and ensure it is attainable. If you want to eat better, your wellness goal shouldn’t be to create an abrupt new diet of quinoa and tofu bowls. The first time you slip up and eat a slice of pizza will feel like you have failed. Instead, create a small goal of cooking one more healthy homemade meal per week. If you normally cook once, try cooking twice. If you never cook, try cooking one delicious dinner with vegetables, lean proteins, and tons of flavor each week. Small, attainable goals that you can ramp up are better in the long term for maintaining your practice.
Connecting with Nature
There are benefits to spending some time in nature each day. A typical workout routine has even more of an impact when completed outside. Spending time outdoors in natural light can help regulate your sleeping cycles and help you sleep better at night. Studies have shown that children with more access to green space grow up with lower chances of mental health disorders. So, stop and smell the roses by making regular visits to a nearby park, forest, or community garden.
Embracing Wellness for a Healthier You
With the right wellness practice, you can go from merely surviving to growing and thriving. Think about how you want to improve and find a group that can help get you there. Join wellness communities on Meetup or consider starting your own.
FAQs
- What are wellness activities, and why are they important?
Wellness activities are practices that promote health and long-term wellbeing. By m
aking wellness part of your routine, you can prolong your life and reduce your risk of serious illnesses.
- What are some popular wellness activities to try?
Popular wellness events on Meetup include meditation, yoga, mindfulness, Tai Chi, and journaling. You can find events and groups for almost any interest on Meetup. Log in to see what’s happening near you!
- How does wellness impact overall health and productivity?
Wellness practices are linked with better sleep, reduced stress, and improved immune systems—all of which are important for healthy living.
Related Resources
- Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Mental Health Practices
- Eight Daily Hacks for a Healthier Lifestyle
- Recording: Train your Brain for Healthy Habits
Mary Garcia (she/her) is Meetup’s Content Manager and editor of the Community Matters blog. When she’s not writing, Mary organizes a swamp fiction book club on Meetup. Find her on LinkedIn.
Last modified on January 9, 2024
