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August: Wellness Month
- freya527
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
August is Wellness Month: a chance to pause, think and make small, positive changes that support our mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Many of us are balancing busy lives:Â family, work, caring responsibilities, health, finances, community commitments and the needs of others. Looking after ourselves can easily slip to the bottom of the list. This month reminds us that our wellbeing matters, and that self-care does not have to mean a complete lifestyle change. It can begin with one small step, supported by the people, places and communities around us.
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Self-Care
Self-care looks different for everyone. It might be five minutes of quiet before the day
begins, saying no when you need to, making time for a health appointment, talking to someone you trust, or joining a local community group. Self-care can also mean finding spaces where you feel listened to, respected and able to breathe.
Take a few minutes each day to ask yourself: How am I feeling? What do I need today?
Give yourself permission to rest, especially if you are caring for others or carrying many responsibilities.
Reach out to a friend, neighbour, support worker or local service if you need someone to talk to (remember, you can self-refer to groups at WHM: https://www.womenshealthmatters.org.uk/contact-us).
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Healthy Habits
Healthy habits do not have to be big or expensive. Small choices made regularly can support wellbeing in everyday life, from drinking enough water and eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep and making time for social connection. When balancing family, work, study, volunteering or community commitments, small changes are often the ones that last.
Keep a water bottle nearby and aim to drink regularly through the day.
Plan simple, nutritious meals or snacks that help you feel energised. Quick, nutritious recipe ideas:Â https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families/recipes/dinner/
Build one small positive habit into something you already do; this is known as Habit Stacking  (for example, adding a piece of fruit to your breakfast, or stretching whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, or to try to notice 5 things you can see, hear, or smell during a quick walk to the shop)
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Stress Management
Stress can build up when we are expected to manage many things at once. Wellness Month is a reminder that it is okay to pause, ask for help and take pressure off where possible. Support can come through friends, neighbours, groups, charities and local services; no one should feel they have to cope alone.
Try a simple breathing exercise: breathe in slowly, pause, then breathe out gently.
Write down what is on your mind.
Talk to someone you trust if life feels overwhelming.
Notice what you can let go of, delay or share with someone else.
Find out more:
Physical Activity
Physical activity can support both body and mind, but it does not have to mean a gym membership or a strict routine. Gentle movement can fit into everyday life: Â walking through a local park, stretching at home, dancing in the kitchen, joining a community class, walking to the shops or getting off the bus one stop earlier. The best activity is the one that feels safe, enjoyable and possible for you.
Start small with five or ten minutes of movement.
Use local green spaces, community centres or neighbourhood walks where you feel comfortable.
If you want to, you could invite someone else to join you for a walk or gentle activity.
Celebrate what your body can do, rather than focusing on perfection.
Walks around Leeds:
Find your nearest park or green space:
At the centre of Wellness Month is the idea that everyone deserves the chance to feel supported, valued and able to look after her wellbeing. For charities and community organisations like us, supporting wellbeing is about more than individual self-care. It is also about creating safe, welcoming spaces where women are listened to without judgement, where experiences are respected, and where people know where to turn when they need help.
This August, we encourage you to think about one small wellness change you could implement into your everyday. This could be for yourself, for a friend, for a neighbour, or for someone else who may be going through a difficult time. Small acts of care and kindness can help strengthen the community around us.