Mind-set, meaning & moderation in optimal health   20 Apr 2014

Tricia Alach

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The holistic helper's guide to Wellness: Part Two

 

To misquote Aristotle ‘We are what we repeatedly do, wellness then is not an act but a habit’

In part one of this series on wellness we explored the idea that wellness is more than just the absence of illness. In particular wellness has an association with the concept of ‘optimal health’ – being as well as you physically and mentally can be - in order to enjoy the best possible quality of life. Today we explore some of the mental, emotional and spiritual habits that come into play for when you want to feel more than just OK every day.

How do you feel today?

Let’s stop for a minute and consider this question? How do you feel today? Do you feel energised, excited and enthusiastic? Does your body feel loose and relaxed? How about your mind? Is it calm, serene, open to whatever possibilities may present themselves today? Are you happy?

If this is describing you, stop reading and start writing in the comments box. Share with the rest of us your experience and tips on getting to and maintaining this state of wellbeing.

If this is not you but you’d like it to be, keep reading and consider applying some of these tips over the next couple of weeks. You can then share your experience in the comments box!

The importance of energy

Energy in relation to health has become a bit of a hot topic of late. In particular, the idea that in order to enjoy optimal health we need to manage our energy rather than our time is an interesting one since it flips historical ‘time management’ advice on its head and argues the case for creating an abundance of energy in order to get everything you want to do done rather than accepting the premise that there is always a scarcity of time.

One of the key actions in managing your energy is prioritising. Deciding what is most important to you and committing to doing that first and foremost even if it means you have to say no to other things. This includes prioritising wellness i.e. eating well, resting and investing time in fun and relaxation.

How you look at things determines what you see aka focus on the flowers not the weeds…

We’ve known that some people see the glass as half full and some as half empty for a long time but the idea that the way you look at your life will actually impact your health is one that is just starting to take hold in the mainstream. Developing a daily gratitude practice in which you list all the things for which you are thankful is a great way to start the day and should leave you feeling better than just OK.

Try this next time you are in a situation you are really not happy about. I used to do it in meetings back when I lived in the corporate world. In the first few minutes of the meeting write down 10 things about that situation you are grateful for – being warm, dry and having unlimited access to coffee used to feature quite regularly on my lists. The situation won’t change but your experience of it will – instead of sitting there simmering in silent resentment you’ll feel happier and more appreciative - which in turn will have positive effect on your sense of wellbeing.

You attract more of what you pay attention to

The belief that ‘what you seek is also seeking you’ – Rumi or that ‘you attract in life that which you are’ – Deepak Chopra is at the heart of approaches advocating using the power of attraction to get the life you want. This approach advocates starting each day by setting an intention to attract whatever it is you most want and then behaving as if it’s a done deal. It’s also important that you project that which you want to attract. So for example if you want more love in your life, you need to project love (this includes loving yourself!). If you want to attract more wealth, you need to cultivate an abundance mind-set (counting up everything you already have is a good place to start) and so on.

You know the point of you

Another key factor in feeling more than OK relates to what some call spirituality and others call a sense of purpose or meaning. Spiritual poverty or what philosophers call ‘existential angst’ is that empty feeling many of us have experienced when we feel disconnected from any sense of real purpose in life which somehow seems to disconnect us from ourselves. Conversely, those who really have a strong sense of purpose (even if no-one else gets it) or spiritual life are generally happier and healthier even when going through challenging times.

All things in moderation including moderation

Strange as it may seem it is possible to have too much of a good thing, even when it comes to wellness. A fixation with your future health, always trying to eat the ‘right thing’ and never letting a negative thought pass through your mind can become as unhealthy a set of habits as any other if you take it to obsessive levels. Maintaining perspective an being able to have a good laugh at yourself are key to keeping this in check.

So be relaxed in your efforts towards wellness. Start with the intention to play and enjoy trying something new rather than doing it because you feel you have to. A good place to start practicing moderation if to choose ONE of the principles outlined above and give it a try in the following week:

  1. Consider what you would do differently if you decided to manage your energy rather than trying to pack more into your time? How would you decide what to do and what not to do? How would you ensure you had enough energy to do all the things YOU want to do? How much more important would food, rest and relaxation become in your daily life?
  2. Start a daily gratitude practice. This is probably the easiest of the lot. It can be started anytime, done anywhere and can take as little as one minute a day. Traditionally done first thing to start you off feeling thankful for all the wonderful things in your life you can also top up as needed whenever you’re feeling in need of a little emotional pick-me-up
  3. Write down what you really want to attract in your life? Is it love? Is it money? Is it a feeling of peace and contentment? Or even more energy? Whatever it is focus your thoughts, words and deeds on attracting more of this into your life. This also means not thinking, speaking about or acting on those things you don’t want to attract.
  4. Get to know your why? Consider your purpose in life? This is probably the trickiest of the lot, especially if you’re starting with a blank page and the one its best not to overthink. Try meditation or just start to write to get into your intuitive mind and see what comes up – the answer will be there, it’s just a case of letting it out.

In part three we look at the principles of the holistic approach to health and give some tips on how you can help the health professionals.

 

About the author:

London based Natural Therapist and Wellness Coach, Tricia Alach specialises in working with busy people who want to relax, rebalance and revitalise their lives. Visit www.flowmindandbody.com or follow her @tricialach or on facebook for tips on how to live happier, healthier and more holistically in each and every day.

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