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The new year is a time for us all to take stock and think about how we can improve our health and wellbeing for the year ahead. This year, as you consider goals and resolutions, we'd like to share with you some of our favourite wellness tips. We've put together some practical advice on how you can create space for some good, self-care habits; spend more time in nature; develop a beautiful home; and do some creative activities without spending money.

Spending time in nature can have far more beneficial effects on our health and wellbeing than we might ever have imagined. It reduces feelings of anger and fear, helps our bodies deal with stress, and boosts our mood. Exposure to nature not only makes us feel better emotionally, it contributes to our physical good health too, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones - which can only help us create a better way to live.

With shorter days, colder weather and continuing Covid restrictions it may seem tempting to stay indoors but getting outside and surrounding yourself with nature yields health benefits.  Going outdoors during daylight – particularly in the morning – can also do wonders for winding your body clock and keeping your immune system in synch. “Going outdoors in winter is critical,” says Dr Annie Curtis, whose research at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) looks at how body-clock proteins in cells, organs and bodily systems tick and protect us from illness. One of the best ways to keep all those tickers co-ordinated is to get a strong dose of daylight early in the morning, she explains. “Light is a biological signal, and we need outdoor light to reset our body clock each morning. If we don’t get that, things can start to go a bit haywire.”

Seeking out those green spaces and spending time in nature – including a garden – can help to alleviate stress and may even have a restorative effect on our mood and attention, says Dr Annalisa Setti, a lecturer at University College Cork’s School of Applied Psychology. Large studies that look at where people live show that if you are exposed to green spaces and nature, your health and brain function tend to be better. For more tips about how to connect with nature see our 

Case Study: Supporting biodiversity increases our happiness levels

An inviting home is the ultimate place to feel cosy and safe. If you’re making plans to improve your surroundings, here are some ideas that will help create your own sanctuary, along with some wellness tips for ensuring a healthy body and stress-free mind.

Soft furnishings like throws and cushions can really boost your mood and wellbeing by creating a cosy feel to any room, and you can adopt the latest neutral and warm-baked colours and handcrafted fabrics to make it right 

too. Designers are increasingly tapping into the nourishing properties of nature, including plant-based fibres. Jute rugs and runners are everywhere and help to bring the outdoors in. Having plants and greenery also help connect to the healing influence of the natural world, while fragrant aromas from candles or essential oils such as rose, geranium and lavender can create a calming atmosphere

It's great to be productive at work and to do things for your family but we all need to build a habit of practicing self-care too. You can start by evaluating where you have stresses in your life and then learn tools for reducing this stress. One of the most important wellness tips is making time on a regular basis for to do something nice for yourself, to treat yourself. This could be dinner or coffee with a close friend or indulging in one of your favourite hobbies. It could also be getting a massage or taking a class such as painting, photography or yoga.

Of course, a good diet & exercise are the cornerstone of wellness & self-care. The 

 has the most robust scientific evidence to support its benefits so if you're looking to avoid fad diets this is probably the one to go for. The good news is that 'treats' like red wine and unprocessed cheeses are great in moderation.

Do you love cooking, painting or interior design? Letting your creative side loose in your home is a great way to de-stress. Taking on a small project like redecorating the home-office or painting the spare bedroom can take your mind off the day-to-day and give you a sense of accomplishment. If you're looking for inspiration why not check out the 

 which holds events in every county across the country.

Glenveagh is committed to building communities where residents can enjoy the benefits of nature on their doorstep. We’re also aware that personal wellbeing and mental health are really important for us all, and we want to do our bit to help people to look after themselves. So this year, as part of our commitment to providing a better way to live, Glenveagh is sharing ideas and tips on simple ways you can make changes in your life which will help you feel emotionally good. If you want to learn more about how Glenveagh support health & wellbeing in the communities where we build visit 

Top Five Wellness Tips for 2022