Stop “Adding” Wellness to Your Daily Life
By Colleen Langenfeld
Do you think that
wellness is fundamentally important? If you're reading this article,
you probably do. I've noticed that some people think of wellness
as a luxury item. If they have enough time, then they'll exercise.
If they have enough money, then they'll take vitamins. And to
tell the truth, that's how I thought of wellness for many years.
But not any more.
Now, I see wellness as part of my family's foundation. For example,
I want my kids to be able to do well in school, so I pay attention
to the nutrition and rest they receive. I want to be able enjoy
my life as long as possible, so I take an active role in caring
for myself using tools like quality supplements, stress management
and the pursuit of high-quality relationships.
Today's incredibly
busy lifestyles leave little spare time. Indeed, the pace we expect
to maintain demands that we take premium care of ourselves, body,
mind and spirit. Just as we understand that we need to care for
our expensive automobiles to keep them working properly, so we
need to realize that we are using billion-dollar bodies that cannot
be replaced.
Adding one more thing
to your already overworked schedules is simply too daunting, though.
So forget about “adding” wellness. Instead, look at
what you are already doing in your everyday life and tweak a few
things here and there to your advantage.
Be practical
Make it your aim to gently increase the level of wellness within
your home in measurable ways. Scrutinize the activities you're
currently doing and focus on improving results. For example, you
are already eating, right? Decide to replace one meal a week with
a low-fat version. You could simply switch to low-fat ingredients
or opt for a scrumptious new recipe. Keep this simple!
Do a low-fat recipe
search online and choose recipes that are tasty and fast. Or go
to a place like www.paintedgold.com...recipes,
where you can see a variety of nutritious recipes every day ready
to print out and use.
Slow but steady
Think you have to do a major overhaul to see an improvement in
the wellness level of your family? It's just not so. If you commit
yourself to one change a week (like the recipe idea), you'll see
the power that small, steady change can create in your life.
Subscribe to a health
and wellness publication that you can read for 2 minutes while
you're brushing your teeth. Sign up for one of the many online
“quotes” e-zines that will deliver an uplifting tidbit
each day to your inbox; then print it out and share with the family
at dinnertime. Feed on these simple changes and odds are great
you'll be glad to stick with them over the long haul.
What's the
point?
Ever heard any of these statements?
• “Does
it really matter if I walk tonight? I only have 20 minutes,
and I'm so
tired from work.”
• “Why drink a glass of water before I eat? It's
only water, after all. I need
taste!”
• “I know I never spend much time with my son, but
he's got to understand that
I'm working so hard for him, after all.”
The impact of a life
of wellness cannot be overstated. It's the cumulative effect of
what we do or don't do that adds up and makes us who and what
we are. Just like brushing your teeth every day adds up in your
favor, not brushing your teeth adds up, too. When wellness is
treated like breathing, wonderful things can start to happen over
time, without any added cost or stress.
Keep it simple
Lots of ideas appeal to us. We study them, chat about them, put
posters on our walls about them. But rarely do we take action
on an idea that appeals to us.
Part of the reason
is our own internal inertia. For example, which is easier: Staying
with a product because we've always used it, or taking an hour
or two to educate ourselves about safer, better alternatives?
We can give up our nightly TV time just once, do a little searching,
find a company we like and switch stores. Done.
Not easier. Just better.
Let it go
Got an old unhealthy habit that is deeply entrenched? Whether
it's smoking or that nasty nag habit with our spouse, we all have
these stubborn areas.
Some people can hit
them head-on with success, but for most of us it's just not that
easy. I'm a believer in adding healthy pleasures until the old,
unhealthy habits just fade away (or at least have less hold on
us). Focus on a new positive until you no longer are so interested
in the old negative. Every day, let a smart habit win one more
time than yesterday. Remember, work towards lasting results, not
overnight miracles.
Teaching our
children
Once we commit to parenting with integrity, we get humble very
quickly. Role modeling takes work. Deciding to be the best parent
we can be automatically raises our desire of making things better
for those we love. Every day. A little at a time.
Are you interested
in raising the wellness level in your family's home? Look for
simple exchanges in your everyday activities and embrace a better
lifestyle for you and your loved ones, starting today.
© Colleen Langenfeld
Colleen Langenfeld offers helpful
resources to working moms. Make your life feel easier, healthier,
smarter by using our wellness resources found at www.paintedgold.com/health-main.
