At Joyful Heart, we know wellness can take many forms, especially for survivors and their loved ones. Tending to your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are all part of the healing journey. This year we’re joining other organizations to recognize September 26 as National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, an annual event for women of all ages to celebrate different ways to stay healthy.

Sukey Novogratz, who serves as vice chair of Joyful Heart’s board of directors, is an acclaimed author on meditation and mindfulness. She’s also a prolific contributor to the Joyful Heart blog. In honor of National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, we asked Sukey for some holistic tips on keeping up with your health and wellness.

#1: Try meditation. You don’t have to be an expert to benefit from regular meditation practice. Simply try sitting still for a few minutes each day and focusing on your breath. The change in pace can help to quiet anxious thoughts and make you feel more grounded. Sukey recommends an exercise called the Bee Breath to help guide your breathing and bring you to a peaceful, meditative state.

#2: Slow down. Do you ever feel like your to-do list gets longer and longer, no matter how many items you check off? It might be time to pause and check in with yourself. Sukey suggests making mindful modifications to your daily routine, like taking the long way home from work, closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths while waiting for your coffee to brew, or going for a walk after dinner.

#3: Change your story. Whether you are healing from trauma or simply having an off day, it can sometimes feel like your problems will never go away. Sukey asks, “What if instead we were to focus on the minor narratives—the small, but significant, stories we’ve been telling ourselves for so long that we don’t even think of them as stories, but as second nature?” Put this into action by making small, daily changes that rewrite how you think about yourself. Are you naturally shy? Ask a new coworker to coffee. Are you struggling to open up? Write a letter to a friend.

#4: Let go of negative emotions. “In a fleeting moment, negative emotions, like anger, can steer us off our chosen course and into a murky emotional world,” Sukey says. “Negative emotions happen, but we've got way more control over our responses than we sometimes think.” If negative emotions are taking control of your day, let them go. Try engaging in physical exercise to help your body relax, reflecting on the triggers that bring negative emotions, and taking deep breaths until you feel more calm.

#5: Use yoga for R&R. Power yoga is a great way to work up a sweat, but you can also practice yoga as a form of rest, relaxation, and restoration. Whether you’re a novice or an advanced yogi, some  basic yoga poses can help loosen your body and clear your mind. Sukey recommends a few all-levels poses you can do in a studio or comfortably at home.

#6: Practice intentional gratitude. At Joyful Heart, we strive to incorporate gratitude and reflection into every aspect of our work. Practicing gratitude is a healthy way to stay connected to your surroundings and focus on the things that matter most to you. Need help getting started? Sukey suggests taking time each day to reflect on three things you are thankful for, and then sharing your list with others.

What are your favorite ways to care for your body, mind, and soul? Tweet us at @TheJHF and let us know.