What does being well mean to you?
For some, being well means eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. For others, it might mean being free from disease, or feeling a sense of balance. In reality, it is all of these things--and more.
Our ability to be truly well is impacted by all the domains of our lives. These include the quality of our relationships, the environment in which we live, our emotional and mental health, our spiritual life as well as optimal nutrition and physical activity.
There is a tendency to cling to the idea that just two domains, a healthy weight and physical activity, are the answer to our health and well-being. I am a huge proponent of both—please don’t stop! But here’s the thing--every client with whom I’ve worked who initially intended to set a weight loss or exercise goal did not actually end up choosing those goals.
The reason for this has to do with what they discover during our work together. For example, one client realized that social connection was actually far more important to her at this point in time than losing weight. This led to her choosing to set a goal for spending more time with family and friends doing what she enjoys—walking and hiking. If we had not done a deep dive into what was really important to her, there is a chance that she would have kept that weight loss goal leading to disappointment. The beauty of her new goal was that it bled into other areas of life that impacted her overall wellness.
Clients also change course because they have received strong messages about what health and wellness is supposed to look like. These messages can provide a very narrow view. One that I argue creates the idea that if we look a certain way or eat a certain diet, our problems will be solved. Again, these are only small pieces of the health and well-being puzzle. You are a dynamic system—whole and quite fantastic I might add! There may be domains that are strong and others that are simply in need of kind attention.
My challenge for you: Find a quiet spot and think about what health and being well means to you. Is there anything that surprises you? Are there areas of your life that might be impacting your health and well-being in a less than ideal way? What stands out as the most important thing for you to address today? How can you creatively integrate what you love and value into these areas? If this challenge was difficult, I’m here for you!
“Let the beauty of what you love be what you do”