What is Wellness, and How can we Practice It? By Kourtney Johnson, RD, LD

Kourtney Johnson

This month, I'm happy to share a guest blog post from Kourtney Johnson, RD, LD. I hope you enjoy!

Wellness is a hot topic right now. Type the word into Google, and you’ll see results ranging from wellness centers to definitions to the different dimensions of it. But what does wellness even mean, and how can we implement it into our lives in a practical way?
 
What is Wellness?
When you think of the word “wellness” what comes to mind?
 
Maybe you see someone at the gym, covered in sweat as they run on the treadmill, or possibly you’re envisioning someone dutifully eating all five recommended servings of fruits and veggies each day. However, it’s also feasible that you picture something completely different.
 
But what is wellness, anyway? According to Merriam-Webster.com, wellness is “The quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.”
 
This is a broad definition that doesn’t just apply to eating certain foods and exercising. After all, health encompasses many areas including mental, physical, spiritual and emotional, and there are a variety of practices we can implement to improve each area.
 
How can we practice wellness when it’s so broad?
I get it! You’re a busy entrepreneur who wears multiple hats and pours your energy into business, so adding one more thing to your plate might make you cringe. Plus, the idea of wellness is overwhelming.
 
But you know what they say: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” If you’re an entrepreneur, let alone a solopreneur, you are the face of your brand. It doesn’t operate (or at least very well) without you. That’s why implementing a wellness routine into your life is crucial.
 
And yes, while the concept of wellness might seem overwhelming as it encompasses many areas of health, having a routine in place doesn’t need to be difficult. Here are a few suggestions for prioritizing wellness to increase your chances of having good health so you can continue living out your dreams.
 
How to Prioritize Wellness in your Busy Life
 
1.Audit your time.
It’s easy as an entrepreneur to feel as though you have no extra time and that you eat, sleep and breathe your business. However, if you audit your time over one week during what is a normal period of time for you, you’ll see there are gaps in your days where habits to be added to improve your health.
 
2.Consider your goals.
What do you want to achieve by having better health? Maybe you desire to stop feeling exhausted each day and wake up refreshed, so sleeping for at least seven hours each night is a must. Perhaps you’d like to decrease the amount of stress you feel, and seeing a therapist would help you achieve that. Or it’s possible you would rather read a book for 30 minutes before bed instead of scrolling mindlessly through your phone, which results in thoughts racing through your head as you try to sleep.

3. Be realistic.
What are practical ways you can implement wellness into your life? Maybe in an ideal world, you’d wake up at 5:00 AM and head to the gym, but you know yourself and realize that won’t happen. However, maybe there is a walking group that meets over the lunch hour which you would actually attend and truly enjoy being a part of.
 
4.Make it fun!
When we think about how to increase the amount of wellness in our lives, it sounds boring. But it doesn’t need to be! Again, find an activity you enjoy if you hate what your workout routine is now. And if you don’t know what you like, try different activities! If you goal is to read before bed, choose a book with a friend and hold yourself accountable by scheduling a book discussion on a certain date.
 
5.Be flexible.
If after some time you’re not making progress toward your goals or not enjoying the process, determine how you can switch it up. Where are you getting stuck? What don’t you like about the routine you have? It’s ok to mix it up!
 
There you have it: five ways to implement wellness into your routine and reap the benefits of better health. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup, and you are your company’s greatest asset. Take care of yourself!
 
Kourtney Johnson is a registered dietitian and the owner of Intuitively Nourished. She helps women go from hating their bodies to appreciating and properly caring for them; in addition, she guides ladies from feeling guilt or shame for eating certain foods to enjoying their food and moving on with their day. You can learn more about Kourtney and her work at Intuitivelynourished.com.

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