Working Towards Wellness: August 2025

[itsfi]

Hi BIC, and happy August! Yes, it's already August. Before we know it, kids will be back in school (and some of us may be headed back as well), and summer will be in the rearview mirror. Let's make the most of this month, which happens to be National Wellness Month, and take (or make) the opportunities we have to look after our wellbeing. One way to go about that is with a little game of wellness bingo. If you're new to BIC or to this little corner of BIC, welcome!! If you've taken part in a previous BWell Bingo here or if you've poked your head in to see what this is about, welcome back! 

We're each on our own personal self-care journey, one that, if you're like me, varies - some days (weeks, months, years) are better than others. Wellness is a process - it's about progress, not perfection. It takes work. Much of that work falls on us individually, and our efforts towards self-care, as it should, but that effort is and can be helped, inspired, encouraged, and supported by others, be it friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances, or the members of  this Community. Wellness takes work - let's do the work together, BIC!

How To Play:

Spoiler

The short-and-sweet of it is to just jump right on in, by undertaking one or more of the activities described 
in a square. Once you've performed the activity, that square is yours - check it off however you like. Just remember, be safe and make adjustments, if and as applicable. 

▶️  This game of wellness bingo is about YOU and YOUR wellness. So whether it's aiming for one square a day, a week, or the month, give it a go! There are several ways to go about this wellness bingo challenge, including, but not limited to:

• Work towards BINGO, 5 squares in a row - across (rows), down (columns),  or diagonal
• Choose a row or column and work your way through the activities described during the week or month
• Focus on one or more activities each day or week or month
• Select activities that interest you or that challenge you and work towards checking off those squares

For a more detailed description of the wellness activities for each square, including examples for some, check out ➡️ Description of August 2025 Wellness Activities

☑️  NOTE: Some description may contain references to articles from different companies. These, along with other activities described, are for illustrative purposes. These are provided as examples, and neither I, nor to my knowledge (without inquiry), Sephora, are affiliated with any of the third parties referenced.

 ⚠️  Tailor the activities to your surroundings, situation and circumstances. 

• If it's not safe to perform an activity, pass on it or modify accordingly. For example, if it's storming outside, the "outdoor activity" square can wait another day, or next month. Also, an activity is not something you can do for health reasons, pass on it. Please consult your doctor or health care professional before beginning an activity, if and as needed.

• If a square includes a time for a certain activity and that time is too long for you, try the activity for a shorter duration. For example, if unplugging from electronics for half-an-hour before bed is too much too soon, start with 10. If more will do, go beyond 30 minutes.

Posting:
If you feel up to sharing about the self-care activities you undertook, please do, no matter the number of activities! We love hearing about what worked or what didn't work for you. And, we're always down for picking up some real life tips, tricks and techniques.

To post, click "Reply" in the lower left hand corner of this original post and write away in the box that will appear. You can list the activities you performed, with or without your thoughts on the activity. You can if you choose, attach a copy of the wellness bingo card with the applicable squares marked off.

Here's to another month of working on wellness with you, BIC! We got this!

Spoiler

Tagging a few folks who participated in last month's wellness challenge. Apologies if I iadvertently missed anyone.
@ather @CorgiMommy @curlychiquita @danielledanielle @Mellmars1185 @PrettyPaint @Samtian 

[CorgiMommy]

Thanks @itsfi 

[itsfi]

Was able to get in a few more wellness activities from the board, depicted with the blue check marks. 

Spoiler

Geography (Environmental Wellness): A couple of environmental wellness practices this month, short and long term ones - (1) As part of my declutter practice this month, I've been working to spruce up a couple areas of the house to be a little more conducive to self-care - really just making it more self-care ready, in advance. (2) This second one has been a work in progress for a while, but along with my digital detox before bed, I've also been aiming to unplug more from my phone, etc. during the day and evenings as well. I'm still online but to keep that space healthy for my overall wellness, I've cut back, shifted some focal points, drawn (and enforced) boundaries, and found other things to direct my attention. Both endeavors have been good so far.

Seasonal fruits & veggies: I've been lucky that I've had a handful of fresh, juicy nectarines dropped off for me every week for the last few weeks. Yum! I've also been having stir-fried green beans with different veggies and spices, and adding seasonal heirloom tomatoes and cucumber to my salads.

Visual Arts: Went to paint ceramics and continued to work on some ongoing arts & crafts projects, including photo-taking. 📸

Treat Yourself (for Science): Treated myself and others to a delicious meal at a new restaurant in town. And there's been a couple of purchases that have been made (and that are in the queue 😉)

Free Space: Quiet time before bed - some nights, it helps me doze off; others, it gives my brain some space to slow down and for me to let go of a lot of the things ruminating up there. 

Stretch (30 minutes): I'm always reminded how good it feels to stretch, when I spend the time to do it. I have my before-bed stretching routine and I've added a morning one for summer . I generally don't have any issues getting up in the mornings in the summer months, but it's been nice to start off the day, to ease into the day with a few stretches. I'm more consistent on the weekends but baby steps, folks.

Reading: Books - Audiobooks - Blogs: I haven't found a cadence I like yet, but am slowly making my way to being more consistent with this. 

Have a healthy meal: Orange glazed salmon on a bed of sauteed spinach. I meant to include couscous, inspired by a meal @Samtian made a few months back, but I forgot all about it until I was plating the meal (and saw the unopen box staring at me on the counter - next time; will have to remember for next time).

(Foreign Language): New-To-You Activity: Tried the Connections game @CorgiMommy  mentioned. Also took the online quiz that tells you which KPop Demon Hunter character you are. And, I tried cooking with lentils. Verdict? 

* I'll keep the Connections game in my back pocket when I need another brain teaser. 
* The little one seemed accepting of my quiz results. 

* I'll stick with buying the spicy lentil wraps from Trader Joe's. 🤣 

Hydrate: I don't know what it is but I've been drinking so much more water than usual. Not really complaining because it's good to stay hydrated but there's been a couple of days where I can't figure out why I'm drinking so much water. 

I should be able to get in a couple more squares before the end of the month, and repeat some activities along the way.

[danielledanielle]

@itsfi , you just reminded me to get some tomato and corn again!

Look at all dem checks!

#tomatosznaintlongenough

[itsfi]

Tomato & corn salad sounds delicious @danielledanielle; I'm getting hungy, and I just finished dinner, too! 😂 There were a few rough days this month but I turned to the wellness card instead of other things so more checks earlier in the month! 👍

[Samtian]

@itsfi Looks  yummy! Amazing work!

[itsfi]

Awww, thanks so much @Samtian. Some weeks/days are better than others, but we do what we can, right? Right! I need to get back to cooking. *adds to list

[CorgiMommy]

Great job!  Glad to hear you tried Connections.   @itsfi 

[itsfi]

@CorgiMommy, thank you. Connections comes into play when I have more time to focus on it. 

[Samtian]

I was in Yellowstone earlier this month so I decided to do Grizzly bears!

• Outside- Did 2 days of Hiking in Yellowstone! Sunscreen one of the days. Naturally the second day.
• Geography is no bueno. But being outside in Yellowstone helped.
• Fruits and Veggies- lately I've been really into snacking on cherry tomatoes and grapes. I wish I had tomato plants. And tomato sandwiches yummy.
• Social Studies- My sister in law is the one who took me to Yellowstone. 
• Musicology- I recently found out about Yungblud. Very happy with that. And in the new Superman movie there is a song called like 5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale, and that makes me move! 
• Visual Arts- Photography always. Lately I've gone back to my roots and remember to look up at the sky, and taken photos of the stray kittens outside.
• Stress- Trying to eat better.

Spoiler

Backside of Grand PrismaticMorning Glory PoolHealthy Snacky Time.

[itsfi]

Wow, look at that sky @Samtian! 😍 Glad you were able to get away for a bit. And good for you for working to eat healthy in the midst of stress. It’s so much easier said than done; brava! 👊🏼 

[Samtian]

@itsfi I was blessed with that beautiful sky! I never get that lucky. And thank you! It's hard because healthy food is expensive and fruits don't last long, but sometimes worth it. 

[danielledanielle]

Yeah, you have to be strategic/intentional with healthy food sometimes @Samtian @itsfi 

Here's an infographic from misfits that I find helpful for veggies 

 

[itsfi]

Ahhh, this is helpful; thank you @danielledanielle! Bookmarking this now! And emailing it to a few folks as well.

[itsfi]

I mean, don't get me wrong @Samtian, there's certainly something comforting and satisfying about fries, lol. 😂 It can definitely be a challenge to choose healthy food consistently, especially because as you said, it's expensive, and even more so these days. 

Ahhh, fruits! I love having a variety of fruit in the house but have to be very mindful how much I buy and what I get in the same grocery trip. I try to remember that certain fruits are really conducive to freezing and that I can drop those into a smoothie anytime. Or make juice out of them, to drink or to make popsicles with. Ha! 

[CorgiMommy]

@Samtian Yellowstone is awesome and a great place to reconnect with yourself.  . I The grizzly bears are a cute idea.

[Samtian]

@CorgiMommy Thank you! It is, except when it's tourist season haha. 

[CorgiMommy]

Good one @Samtian 

[CorgiMommy]

Half way through the month and here is where I stand.

 Math and Mental health - is shpuld have checked this the week before as i am a daily wordle,  connections and Strands player.

Performing arts - order tickets to see Kinky Boots and The Sound of Music in 2026.

Treat yourself - purchased a new eye palette NATASHA DENONA Mini Eye Sculpt Eyeshadow Palette Neutral 

Visual Arts - taking whatever opportunities I can to get outside with my camera. 

[Samtian]

@CorgiMommy Whoo great work! Would love to see your photos sometime. 

[CorgiMommy]

@Samtian I do post some on the Nature walk post.

[itsfi]

@CorgiMommy, I spy a couple of bingo's here; nicely done. 👏 Natasha Denona's eyeshadows are wonderful; enjoy your new treat.