When I ask people what they think wellness is, I get a
different answer each time. I get a different but correct answer. This is because wellness is subjective, and should
no longer be used as a universal truth or a label that automatically makes
things appear better. It’s become a (and I hate to use this phrase) “new-age
buzz word” that people love to throw around.
Wellness has historically been defined as maintaining a
healthy balance between mind and body. But I think this is too vague and
doesn’t capture what it means to live and be well.
Remember in elementary school when the teacher said, “Eyes
on your own page, don’t worry about what your neighbor is doing”? That’s the
policy I try to maintain and promote with regards to wellness. It doesn’t
matter what your neighbor is doing! Or what wellness means to them, it matter
what wellness means to you.
I’m going to share the ways I stay balanced from day-to-day
and overall lifestyle themes, all the while not trying to get too caught up in
wellness trends. Along the way I hope to inspire you to find your own ways of
being well.
Activities
I’m not an athletic person and I’m not a fan of traditional
exercise. That said, it’s important to move.
For me that means getting creative. I do yoga when I feel like it throughout
the week. I’ve tried to have a schedule, but I’ve found that when I write it
out and plan ahead, I don’t do it at all. I’d rather listen to my body and when
it says “Yoga. Now.” I roll out that mat and happily hop to it.
I don’t have a car; I walk and take the bus everywhere that
I’m not going with another person. Always a passenger, never a driver. This is
a personal choice that I realize is not doable for most people, at least in
America. Everyone has a car; most cars on the road have only one person inside.
Walking and taking the bus gives me the opportunity to move, think, observe and
even work, so I really enjoy it.
Next time you’re not in a time crunch and are just getting a
few things from the market down the road, walk. Walk as slow or as fast as you
want, take that extra time, use it to think – or not think – and see how it
changes your perception for the rest of the day.
Professional or Academic
Being at a job that’s not your dream job or being in an
intensely academic environment can certainly stifle the ability to maintain
balance and wellness. Part of my job is finding ways to help people create that
balance.
I believe that if you truly dislike your job, major,
university, etc. that you should end it and change to something you do love.
However, this isn’t always a realistic luxury that can happen immediately.
So what do we do about that?
Make little changes every day that are pointed in the
direction of your dreams. Make little changes everyday that make you feel
better. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, take breaks and yes, even complain.
Take a walk around the building when work is getting overwhelming. Put the
books away for 15 minutes to do something selfish. Use the people around you
who care about you, to let them know what’s going on, instead of bottling up
all the stress.
I’ve been out of college and graduate school for a while,
but I definitely was guilty of taking on too much, getting complacent and
eventually, careless. If I had taken more breaks, I believe I could have
avoided going down that path. So now I make sure that I’m never in a situation
that leads to complacency, boredom, and lack of freedom. I’m better for it and
so is my work.
Nutrition
I’m not a nutritionist; I eat and cook for enjoyment and not just for fuel. I do not eat 100% raw, organic, vegan, healthy, natural foods. There, I said it. (But I do try to make sure I’m eating mostly those types of foods.)
I don’t eat red meat, dairy or sugary drinks. This is because I can’t, I have a sensitive stomach and I get very sick. So, instead of being upset about what I can’t have, I get in the kitchen have fun with it. I’ve found so many meat and dairy alternatives; I don’t even notice that they’re missing from my diet. Note: I hardly ate red meat before because I just didn’t like it, but I ate cheese multiple times a day. When I’m out I’ll order items off the menu have “DF” next to anything, indicating dairy free, or ‘V” for vegan. If I feel like having chicken or a protein other than red meat, I’ll ask for it. Don’t be afraid to special order!
The healthiest part of my diet happens first thing every morning. I drink the glass of water I put by my bed the night before, then head to the kitchen to brew some hot water. I have hot water with lemon and local honey before I have any kind of breakfast or tea. I don’t drink coffee because I don’t like it! Same goes for alcohol.
Relationship with
Self (Inner Dialogue)
Your wellness isn’t for anyone but you. It’s not to take
pictures on Instagram, compare to others or for trying to impress. It’s a
personal, inner dialogue that you have every time that you make a choice, take
an action and feel an emotion.
What makes you feel good? If it’s getting up at 4am to hit
the gym, do it. If it’s meditating in the middle of the afternoon between
meetings, do it. Try different things. Experiment. Write gratitude lists, don't save them for anyone else. Listen to your favorite songs and sing unapologetically. Take the time - because
whether it’s a practice you stick with or a one-time experience, you will learn
something about yourself. I can only recommend so much before I simply say,
“Find what works for you.”
I do these practices and make these choices because they
work for me. By no means is it a set of rules, but rather, a sharing of
knowledge acquired over time. Pave your own way to wellness, and you’ll feel
much better than if you were to follow all the rules.
It doesn’t matter what your neighbor is doing, eyes on your
own wellness!
As always, come say hi! I love answering your questions.
Twitter: PerceptionHQ
Instagram: Perception.HQ
Email: PerceptionHQ@gmail.com
Rachel Rose
