The Best Way Forward?

I want to ‘get healthy’! 🏔️ 🌊 🧭 What’s the best way forward?

As humans, we all naturally have to meet similar needs to thrive. So technically anyone can move in the direction of greater health and happiness simply by surfing these 7 Waves of Wellbeing. ⬇️ Yet, unique circumstances, challenges, and choices impact how each individual will navigate these waves. Also, each wave impacts the other…

🌊 Mindset
🌊 Movement
🌊 Nourishment
🌊 Belonging
🌊 Pleasure
🌊 Empowerment 
🌊 Rest

Let’s say someone decides to reguarly walk to the summit of a fairly steep hill to get fitter so they can do occasional big hikes with loved ones without falling behind or turning back. Doing this walk regularly, maybe once a week, would probably improve fitness? At just 1.5 hr to the summit and back, that’s do-able, right? Well, this morning I did the walk, once, but realistically, will it become a regular thing? 🤔 

It took a good night’s sleep (rest), fine weather, a clear diary, childcare, and a heap of positive self talk (mindset) to get me out of pjs and into walking gear (movement), to drive 30 minutes to the foot of that hill. The promise of a picnic, stunning sea views and a sense of achievement (pleasure) helped get me to the top. Socio-economic-ecological factors (empowerment) also had an impact: autonomy over my time, a working car, decent walking shoes, plus access to a nutritious breakfast (nourishment), encouragement from supportive loved ones (belonging), a baseline of reasonable health, access to nature...☀️

The point is there can be lots going on beneath the surface that may help or hinder our best intentions.

Longer term though, what may work better for me - and many others - in terms of fitness goals is adding pleasurable, achievable, varied, smaller bursts of activity into everyday life so movement can become a habit. Studies show this strategy can lead to greater overall wellbeing.

Equally, even that ‘advice’ isn’t one-size-fits-all. 

The 7 Waves of Wellbeing are deeply interconnected, so when we focus on just one ‘wave’ that’s important to us, for personal reasons, it can generate momentum and a positive ripple effect…

So what’s the best way forward for YOU? 💕