Having been an athlete my whole life, and as someone who continues to exercise daily as well as being cognizant of eating well (most of the time :)), it might seem that I am in a general state of wellness. But I’ve come to know wellness not only in terms of being physically fit and at peace mentally but also in terms of feeling an all-around sense of ease.
A general definition of “wellness” is something like, “The state or condition of being in good physical and mental health.” Many people who exercise regularly to energize themselves and to clear their mind before or after a day’s work might believe they are in a this general state of wellness. But they also might encounter a significant amount of stress on a daily basis. They might come home and do different things to combat that stress, like sit for a few hours in front of the TV, eat a quick meal if they worked late such as take-out food or a processed frozen dinner and sometimes work might stay on their mind throughout the night, as they think about what they have to do the next day. They might think that they are well but may struggle with depression, anxiety, weight problems, or stress.
Sound familiar?
A friend who was once going through a stressful time in their life once asked me, “Jennie, is it okay to be happy?” This question hit me like a ton of bricks. All my life I have been doing music and yoga and learning about wellness outside of work because they are things I love learning about and being involved with and I have recently decided to make them my life’s work. I wanted to do those things that lit me up inside not just after work but all day long. I also chose to surround myself with people that make me feel happy, welcomed, and encouraged and supported. I think many of us strive for things to make us happy whenever we can but it occurred to me after hearing this question, that some people live in a constant state of unhappiness.
For me, happiness is a part of being well. I find happiness in the things I love to do, but even when something is not going my way, the tools that a consistent yoga practice has given me allow me to make my own choice to get out of a funky, grumpy state and to instead be well; or as well as I can be.
I’ve come to realize that happiness is a choice, and therefore essential wellness can be a choice. Of course there are things that can happen to us which may be beyond our control, but even so, I’ve known the happiest, most peaceful people who have gone through the worst tragedy and yet somehow they realize that maintaining a state of misery won’t sustain them for very long. A definition of wellness that the National Wellness Institute uses is: “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”
What I love about this definition are the phrases “active process” and “make choices toward” and a “more successful existence.” None of us are perfect. We make wrong choices from time to time and sometimes make bad decisions about our work, health or life, but essentially it is our choice to become and stay well.
We can begin to do this with a consistent yoga practice or exercise routine. We can do this with a short daily meditation practice. We can do this with clean, healthy eating (most of the time :)). We can do this by taking the way we care for health into our own hands and doing so in a preventative way with doTERRA essential oils.
Whatever little step you make toward being well is the right step. Even if you wake up in the morning and say, “Today I vow to do everything I can toward being well,” it can shift your mindset towards a state of well-being.
I wish you tout le bonheur du monde! (all the wellness in the world!).
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