Wellness Schmellness

Wellness schmellness, or is it really? What is wellness? The dictionary defines it as the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort. The second part of the definition defines it as an approach to healthcare that emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life as opposed to emphasizing treating diseases.

I find these definitions slightly disturbing. Why is wellness defined as an effort or an approach, shouldn’t it be an everyday natural lifestyle? I’m not talking beefcake muscle-bound, marathon running, ninja warrior lifestyle. BRAVO to those amazing athletes, but I have a love-hate relationship with exercise, mostly leaning towards hate. The positive side of this is that wellness is so much more than exercise. I define wellness as a state of mind where you accept the responsibility of taking care of your mind and body.

By design, we were created with the idea of one mind and one body working hand in hand. This combo is capable of AMAZING things if taken care of and utilized to its potential. Unfortunately, years of bad wellness choices leave us physically and mentally exhausted. Everywhere we turn in society there is a temptation towards gluttony and laziness. Sitting, looking at screens, eating processed junk is not where our greatest potential lies.

This cycle of bad choices is breakable, but there is no instant fix. It is a lifestyle of replacing each bad habit with a better habit. This takes time and patience, but most importantly accountability. One must accept the responsibility for their own health. Placing blame on others or even our society isn’t an option, because the outcome of our state of being is ours alone.

There is typically a big wellness push as we approach the new year. January has everyone running to the gym instantly expecting to undo the better part of last years bad habits. We hear wellness over and over when it comes time to renew health insurance plans. They toss wellness challenges around like bananas to monkeys. Did you know that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? Actually, I saw a post noting January 12th as quitters day.

Resolutions are good intentions, but what about the other 50 weeks of the year? How does one turn a resolution into a lifestyle, a goal into a habit? It starts with the mind, we can’t physically do anything without first mentally accepting the responsibility that we have one life and our body is the carrier of that life. Accepting accountability for the outcome of our life is how we make wellness a lifestyle. We must consciously and constantly be mindful of the state of our being.

Instead of a list of goals or resolutions write yourself a letter. Explain what went wrong, but don’t dote on the why’s because they become excuses. Focus on what you will do to treat yourself better. BE HONEST!! Make it personal, so it is yours. A list is just a list, but a detailed letter means you are on the way to accountability.

I have included a sample letter below. This is a great way to start a wellness journal. Each week write yourself a letter about your progress. Make adjustments to your goals/promises as you go. Remember no excuses, don’t hang on to the why’s. Understand the why, but quickly move on to the resolution. Visualize the outcome, see yourself being successful and write about how you feel. Believe and you will achieve.

Oh and don’t wait until January, there is no better time than the present!!

Dear Me,

I know you have been so tired lately and I am sorry. I am sorry for not eating right. I am sorry for not getting enough exercise and sleep. When I look in the mirror I can see that I am not making the best choices. My pants are getting tighter and I have dark circles under my eyes. These bad choices are dragging me down. I WILL do better!!! I DESERVE better!!

These are my promises to my one and only mind and body:

I promise to eat whole clean foods. I promise to be self compassionate. I promise to exercise three times a week AND I will adjust my sleep schedule to get the rest I need to keep these promises.

I know that exercise is not a favorite, but I will keep it simple until it becomes a part of my everyday life. A walk, a bike ride, pilates in the living room, resistance bands in the basement, whatever it takes. Slow and steady wins the race!

I will find new healthy recipes to revive my diet, so I don’t get off track with comfort foods this winter. I will plant different kinds of vegetables this summer to add excitement to my menu.

I will set a bedtime routine and stick to it. I am a night owl, but lately, I have been staying up too late and it is impacting me physically and mentally. I promise to stop the Netflix or Facebook when it is bedtime. I promise to put the book or magazine down and get the rest my body needs.

I make these promises because I am not perfect. I am a work in progress towards my best self. I will make mistakes, but one mistake will not derail my progress. I promise to correct that mistake and stay on track, so I can form better habits for a better life.

Sincerly and lovingly,

Me