First, you may not know that “health” and “wellness” are interchangeable. “Health” is merely defined as the absence of disease or injury.  Wellness, on the other hand is a verb, so it is actionable. It is a dynamic process based on choosing habits that lead to improved or optimal health.

 Obtaining wellness is multifaceted. It includes mind and body – not just disease and injury prevention.  I have put together a few guidelines on how you might survey your wellness to determine if you want to make any habit changes.

1.     How is my energy?

·        Do I feel ready to approach my day?

·        Do I feel tired most of the day?

·        If you answer yes to low energy look at your food intake and sleep patterns.

·        Nutrition and adequate sleep are key factors in wellness.

2.     What did I eat today? I often recommend:

·       Eliminate sugar – it has no nutritional value and is highly addictive

·       Eat as fresh and whole a food as you can – 80% of the time

·       Eat healthy saturated fats. Coconut, avocado and olive oils are great choices as are grass fed red meat or dairy products. Healthy fats do not make you fat.

·       Avoid fast food and preserved foods.

·       Drink plenty of water. A good rule of thumb is half your weight in ounces. For example:  120/2 = 60.  That is how many ounces you should be drinking per day if you weigh 120 lbs. Add more if you drink caffeine or work out.

3.     How well do I sleep? 

·       7-8 hours is recommended

·       Set a consistent time every night to wind down and turn off all electronic devises 

·       Make the room as dark as possible

·       Put your phone on Do Not Disturb.

4.     What are my bathroom habits? 

·        1 bowel movement per day is recommended

·        Urinating 6-8 times a day if your fluid consumption is adequate

·        Urine color is also a factor. Clear and light yellow is optimal. 

5.     What is my happiness rating? Of course, this very subjective. It is the negative extremes that are relevant. So if you are:

·       Often Unhappy

·       Generally Unhappy

·       Mostly Unhappy

You may want to seek some assistance from someone you trust or a mental health professional if you are any of the above. Depression is a serious medical condition.

6.     Check your stress level. High Stress can directly impact your health.  Here’s a link to some breathing techniques to reduce your stress:  www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/stress-relief-breathing-techniques#1

7.     Finally, take a look at your eyes, skin, hair and nails.  If you notice sudden changes in any of these take note and seek additional information or speak to your healthcare provider.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts on health and wellness. Happy 2021.

Disclaimer: The above is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide diagnosis or be a substitute for medical advice. 

Sharon Hathaway is a Certified Health and Life Coach specializing in weight loss, stress reduction and lifestyle changes. She uses a habit healing method of curated information, empowerment and support to inspire her clients to successfully make lasting changes in their lives. For more information or to schedule an Individual Discover Session or group event, email [email protected].