Well-being, optimum health, body-mind-soul care: they can all be words fraught with opinions and feelings, both positive and negative. I invite you to leave behind any thoughts of comparison, not-good-enough, worry, and negative energy to consider what great health means to you. Only to you. Forget everyone else for a moment. What does health mean to you? And how do you begin achieving optimum wellness?
Here are some steps to help develop a custom wellness plan for YOU:
- Stop comparing – your looks, illnesses, weight, exercise, age, and vitality – with others. Recognize you are unique and you have a unique set of needs.
- Actions create results. Results do not happen in a vacuum. Set some small goals, kick yourself into gear, and track what happens as a result.
- Listen to your body. Really tune into what your body needs and how it reacts to things you do (or don’t do). The truth is we can only learn by doing. Health and wellness is not a one size fits all plan.
- Cultivate your health over time by loving and caring for yourself, just as you would cultivate a garden.
- Do your homework. Read articles from credible sources, ask for help from health practitioners, take responsibility for increasing your own knowledge base.
- Well-being is not simply physical. The mind-body connection is crucial to your health. Explore how your emotions affect your physical being, and vice versa.
- Recognize that things change. Food is not as nutrient dense as it once was. Supplements are being developed and refined. Eastern and western health practices are being shared with each other and combined in creative ways. Your body even changes over time (don’t we all know it!) and needs different things at different periods in your life.
The bottom line is this: you are the only one responsible for your health. However, resources are all around you – use them as a springboard for trying new things and seeing how they fit into your life and make you feel. Don’t be afraid to explore, adopt new habits, and tweak as you go. The old saying is true, “your body is your temple, where are you going to live if you don’t take of it?”
As always, reach out to me if you need ideas, resources, or consultation. I’m here to help!