What I do for wellness

Wellness has gained significant importance in my life. For much of my life, I pursued the opposite of wellness. Now, in my 40s, I realize my time is finite.

To improve myself today compared to yesterday, I need to invest in personal development by dedicating time to wellness.

Consider these statistics: 1 in 4 adults experiences mental illness, and 350 million people globally suffer from depression. I am among these individuals, and wellness has been my answer.

Wellness can be broken into 4 categories

• Spiritual, a meaning to life. The existence of faith and hope

• Emotional, the ability to manage stress and cope. The ability to adapt and change

• Physical, recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep

• Social, the ability to maintain healthy relationships, communicating effectively, and balance personal and social life.

I make an effort to dedicate time each day to nurture each of these areas. If I'm having difficulty, I can quickly assess and identify where I might be falling short or experiencing issues.

So, where to start? I can share what I do for my personal wellness. The cornerstone for me is spiritual wellness, which I maintain by praying and meditating every day. Following that, I engage in physical activity, whether it's walking, strength training, or stretching, as this supports my physical and emotional wellness.

I sleep and rise early. I enjoy making to-do lists and also maintain a list of my top 10 priorities to track my long-term goals.

I make an effort to stay connected by attending events, going to NA meetings, and participating in church activities. Even when it feels incredibly difficult, I still reach out to others.

I am mindful of my diet and carefully plan my meals. I dedicate time to self-care activities like visiting the chiropractor, getting massages, and having my hair done. At times, self-care is as straightforward as shaving my legs and applying self-tanner.

Many of the activities I engage in for wellness are free, but the ones I spend money on are highly valuable.

I've been in the beauty industry for over 10 years and one of my favorite parts of my job making people feel good, but I cannot do that if I don't take time to fill my own cup.

Begin with small steps by doing one thing each day to invest in your wellness. Continue this for 30 days, and it will turn into a habit.