What is wellness?  Many think of physical fitness when they hear the word wellness.  Yes, physical fitness is a component of wellness, but it is only one component. Wellness includes the physical, mental, emotional, Spiritual, financial and social components of each person.  Exclusion or negligence of any of these areas for long enough will eventually manifest as a problem or weakness.

Our society is one that puts extreme emphasis on the physical body. Information and products promoting good health are available everywhere. It is possible that we are on the verge of information overload in regards to physical fitness. Now I am not saying we should dismiss or ignore this information, we should absolutely value, protect, care for and nourish our physical bodies, they are extremely important. Our bodies are the vehicles that transport us through this life, and one thing to keep in mind: when they fall apart, we have to move out. What I am suggesting is that everyone needs to learn to feed and pay attention to the others aspects of their humanness, not just the body.
 
I think it is fair to say that the majority of Americans know that they need to exercise and eat a healthy diet. Yet, less than 25% of our population is living this.  How many Americans are in deep debt? How many still drink excessively or smoke? What is standing in the way and preventing individuals from reaching up and striving towards higher living? If we know we should or should not do something why don't we follow this knowledge?
 
Can it be the results of our thoughts? Our mind is the most powerful tool we have,and at the same time can also be the easiest to manipulate, distort and weaken. Our thoughts occur on a continual basis. They are often unconscious and often triggered by things we are unaware of. Sometimes they help us, but many times they limit and even hurt us or those around us. Our thoughts proceed everything we feel or do and they are the foundation for our beliefs and values.

As human beings we do three things:  we think, we feel, we do. If a person can become aware of their thought process and work at eliminating unhealthy, irrational, negative, and unrealistic thoughts and beliefs, their perceptions and feeling can change. This can in time lead to changes in beliefs and behaviors. Not an easy task.  Our thoughts, values and beliefs are being programmed from the day we draw our very first breath. The are implanted in our minds and hearts by continual exposure to people,words and events. Much of which is beyond our control. Many times our thoughts are so automatic we aren't even aware of them, or we are not aware of their influence on us.

For example: When you catch yourself saying "I don't have time to exercise" stop and honestly identify why. Too much time watching t.v., surfing the net or facebooking. Working 12 plus hours per day? Your values are displayed by how you spend your time and money. Is the regular overtime and second job really an absolute, or is it a necessary evil to maintain the lifestyle you've built? I have a young friend who doesn't exercise because he states "I'm not an athlete and I'm not from an athletic family".
Anyone who has used this excuse, please hear me! You don't have to be an athlete to go for a walk, take your dog for a stroll,ride your bike, work in your yard, play hide & seek, chase, freeze tag or catch with your kids. Everyone who has a body needs to move it in some way everyday.

Start today speaking what you want your reality to be. i.e. I am working on becoming a more calm person, I am putting time into becoming more social, I am going out to walk 20 minutes everyday, I am working towards building my savings account, I am taking control of my wellness.  Speak these things out loud to your self. Studies have shown that we are significantly more likely to believe what we tell ourselves than what others tell us.  Learn to be your own best friend, and know that personal accountability is the key to higher living in all components of your life.

Send your questions or comments to Traci at wayofwellness@rocketmail.com

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