Want a smoother ride through life? Do you want whole life wellness minus drudgery and disappointment? Are you tired of aches and illness and worry about what the future holds for your health?
This is why I designed Wellness Reinvented. So you have a path to follow, not a twisting, turning, meandering journey that only frustrates you, leaving you lost and confused. The pathways lead you back to a natural state of wellness. If you’re concentrating on exercise and eating right but ignoring the rest, it’ll show because that’s only part of it.
Without these paths, the full circle of wellness begins to collapse. A partially flat wheel doesn’t roll very effortlessly. It’s bumpy. Jarring.
But let’s not make this approach feel daunting, depressing or any other negative d word! How about a positive look? It can be delightful. Delicious. Dazzling.
Why? Because you journey down each path your way. In a way that you like, and you’ll want to do. Oh, sure, there may be a few rough spots, and there may be places where your inner 2-year-old kicks in and tries to tell you, “I don’t wannnnna!” But, overall, wellness can be crafted with joy and a sense of playfulness when you get the right guidance.
Here are a brief overview of the 9 pathways to wellness:
Simplicity
Do you ever dream of the quest for a more simple life? That’s your body, calling out to put it back in a state of wellness. And it doesn’t have to wait until you can quit your job and become a beach bum. It starts small and easy, not big and scary. Simplify the smallest area of life: clean out one drawer, organize your desk top, take one item off your to do list. You’ll feel the relief; it has an immediate effect.
Movement
Our bodies were designed to remain well and vibrant through movement, not through hours spent sitting or laying down. Ignore the extremes, though. Does this mean you have to work out 3 hours a day to be healthy? No, not if you don’t want to. It does mean working in movement you enjoy – so that you’ll do it – regularly, even in small ways.
Play
‘nuf said?
We lose our sense of playfulness sometimes as “sensible” adults, and we lose the vibrant, childhood health this path helps promote. What do you love to do that’s just freakin’ fun? Go … do it!
Spirituality
Without a sense of purpose and faith in something larger than ourselves, we become ungrounded and often unwell. When we do have this purpose and faith, we become more motivated to live well. Lost yours? Start small (again, yes, this is a hallmark of this system). What brings warmth to your heart? What matters to you? Go fit some of that into your life.
Mindset
That thing between your ears? Your brain? Responsible for a huge portion of wellness. Positivity fuels being well. Having a can do mindset does the same. Get yours started by writing down just a few things you are grateful for each night before you go to bed.
Nutrition
This is probably another ‘nuf said! We are – to a degree – what we eat. This doesn’t mean carrot sticks and dry chicken breast 24/7, though. There’s room for indulgence in a well life. Just balance it out with whole foods other times. Change out one unhealthy item for something farther up the scale. Allow your taste buds to adjust. Repeat. Healthy eating becomes effortless over time.
Connection
We’re meant to be a community, not a solitary. In a similar way to spirituality, our wellness is boosted by strong, trusted, loving connections with family, friends and others. Make time for your trusted community; it’s worth it. Be cautious of those who don’t fit the trusted, loving, respectful category; that’s a danger to your health.
Stress relief
Modern lives/stress – unfortunately that’s becoming almost the same word with the same meaning. You have choice, though – and, now, awareness. Work to reduce stress where you can; address what you can’t by making sure you create time to relieve stress. Stress is a killer; you can’t ignore it and remain well. Make time now to address your stress or make time for being ill.
Natural care
Taking care of you — in natural, safe, enjoyable ways — needs to be bumped up the list, no matter what, for you to live well. This can range from using natural products to a long, hot bath to body work and much more.
The wrap up
These 9 pathways, though they may seem separate, are connected and overlapping. That is good news for you. Because when you address one of these, you often boost several of these, creating a better state of wellness overall. Your circle of wellness turns easier and more gently. Your life ride just got a little smoother; enjoy!
This is so helpful for me. I had TKR surgery in November of this last year and am trying to keep a positive mind set to recovery. It has been very slow and frustrating. You dont know how much you have helped me. Thank you so very much! Teri
You’re so welcome! I always love hearing this. Trust, Teri, that your brain is a hugely important ally in your healing journey. When it gets frustrating or draining, point your attention toward something good. Or something that will make you smile. Or laugh!
Here’s to your healing fully well very soon,
Cindy
These are all so important! It’s great to see them listed out here. I remember reading one article about a long-lived group of people in another country (can’t remember which one), and one thing it noted was that they all had a very strong connection in the social community as elders.
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You’re probably thinking about those in Okinawa, who have both the longest life expectancy *and* the longest health expectancy. I’ll take that! I don’t want to live long but have a good portion of those later years spent suffering and unable to do what I love. Not only has it been found that their connection is a vital part of their outstanding good health, but so is play!