So What is Wellness, Anyway?

Wellness is a hot marketing “buzz” word these days. So please beware, just because the word wellness is in the name of a business or in the ad slogan of a product doesn't make that service or product good for your health. Wellness is an important concept and one that I have studied for more than 30 years. So having a good working definition is a wise place to start. Here are a few to get you thinking.

• Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices towards, a more successful existence.
• Wellness is a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving one's full potential. It is multi-dimensional and holistic. It encompasses lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the awareness of one's environment.
• Wellness is the ability to efficiently and creatively adapt to the physical, mental, emotional and environmental stress around us. It comes from taking control of your life with healthy lifestyle choices pertaining to each aspect of our being: body, mind and spirit.

These definitions help us to uncover one of the keys to wellness: mindful decision making. So the “wellness tip of the month” is to have a good definition of wellness, one that feels right for you and then think of a way to integrate it into your life. (Hint: “feels right” - means follow your heart not your head. The heart is found when you: stop the mind, follow the breath and quietly listen.)

ACTION STEP #1 - A wellness journey starts by being more conscious of the lifestyle choices that you make each day. Begin by noticing how many choices you actually make in a day. Just by being aware of the choices gives you the chance to make the healthiest choice possible at that moment. Whether it is the food you eat, the words you speak, the thoughts you think or the activities you participate in just be aware you have a choice. Choose to make a conscious choice instead of defaulting to an unconscious one.

At first you will see that you may only catch one or two a day. Don't be discouraged. Each and every day you will become aware of a few more and then even more and before you know it you will be taking control of your life and heading down the road to wellness.

Anything worthwhile in life is worth the time to practice. Do this for 30 days and you will see a difference in your health. Do this for 60 days and you will be a pro at making conscious lifestyle choices. Doing this for 90 days will make you unstoppable.