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The Pinecone
|
December 2016 • 5 •
WE L LNE S S
Mot i vat ion for
When people hear “wellness”, physical activity and exercise is
what usually comes to mind first. Wellness is much more than
that. Wellness has four main components- exercise, nutrition,
spiritual practice, and rest and relaxation. Wellness is about making
lifestyle choices that can minimize the risks for chronic disease
and maximize the quality of life. Keeping wellness in your daily
routine can get tough. Sometimes there are not enough hours in the
day to get what you want done. Wellness should be a top priority
for everyone. There are some simple tips to keep wellness in your
daily routine and to keep you motivated in doing so.
When introducing wellness into your daily routine you want to
start with little bits
. You don’t want to start with too much and
get overwhelmed. The little bits add up, and that’s what’s most
important and most sustainable. You want to
actually identify your
wellness goals and priorities
. It’s hard to work towards something
that is undefined, so you want to set a goal. The key is to make your
goals become real, rather than theoretical. When making your goals
keep “starting with little bits” in mind.
Track what you are doing
and acknowledge your results
. The act of tracking your wellness
goals and efforts, and seeing the work pay off, does improve your
chances of being successful. With a tracking system you will be
able to see what the results are, and affirm
the benefit of your efforts.
Schedule
it
- scheduling your wellness time
for the week helps reserve the
time so you can turn your
intention into action. If you
know that a block of time is
set aside for wellness, you
won’t be as inclined to fill
it will something else. Having
a
support system
is important to have. Surrounding yourself with
people and environments that are health-promoting is important for
making wellness an accessible part of your life. You need to be able
to
understand your inspiration
. In order to prioritize wellness you
must see the value in it. Have your reasons for wanting to achieve
your wellness goals visible to you. This will remind you of why you
value wellness, what you want out of it, and what you are willing to
do for it.
It is important to keep all four components of wellness in your daily
routine. With these helpful motivation tips it should be easier for
you to do so. Remember your goals should be something that is
achievable. Exercise should not be a huge obstacle for someone, try
to find something that you enjoy doing. Nutrition does not mean that
you need to be on a diet. The most important thing about nutrition is
moderation, so do not try to cut something out completely. You want
to slowly work in healthier options as you shift your diet into one
that is more nutritious and life giving. Spiritual practice is something
that can be different for everyone. You do not have to be a spiritual
person to take part in this. Spiritual practice can be anything from
prayer, meditation, journaling, singing, drawing, etc. These activities
can lead one to have more peace of mind and a greater ability to
handle life’s challenges. One’s spiritual practice can be very relaxing
which brings us to our last component, rest and relaxation. Sleep
deprivation has been linked to many problems, for example, stress
and depression. Everyone needs their rest to have a better quality of
life.
Wellness does not need to be a chore for anyone. Incorporate what
you enjoy into the four components and it will become much easier.
Once you have a steady routine of wellness and continue to be
motivated, you will notice a difference in your quality of life.