10 Ways to Kickstart your own Personal Wellness Project

What is Wellness? I get asked this question quite a bit. I think it is a term we all know quite well, but perhaps we don’t really think about what ‘wellness’ really means.

When I think about living in wellness I imagine that each individual is like a puzzle. And when that individual is feeling strong, healthy and happy in all areas of their life – holistically – then all the little pieces that make up that puzzle, the individual, would all be shiny and new. There wouldn’t be any bent corners, or peeling away edges, and everything would fit just as it should.

On the flipside, if you imagine that puzzle with missing, broken, worn out pieces well, I guess that would be a very poor looking puzzle. And a reflection of what it looks like to be living ‘un-well’.

Quite simply, wellness is when most of the various elements of your life from the food you eat, the movement you enjoy, career, finances, relationships (and on it goes, you get the picture) are bringing you happiness, health and contentment - most of the time, if not all. Or should I say that you are finding happiness in all things.

I know it seems impossible to have everything ‘just perfect’. The reality is no one expects you to. What is possible is taking the time out to drip-feed changes into your life that cultivate and create a little more balance. There is no quick road to living in wellness, but what you might discover is that just by simply taking the time to refocus your energy towards you - the way you live, eat, breath, think - then it will create the space to make positive changes and kick-start your own path to wellness.

Here are 10 easy lifestyle changes that invite balance and wellness into your life:

1) Nutrition – look at the food you put into your body. Notice the connection and the affect certain foods have on your body, state of mind and your moods. Start to respect your body as the amazing bio-computer that it is and nourish it with fresh fruit and vegetables, water and wholefoods.

2) Diarise exercise into your daily life. Make it an ‘unchange-able’. Experiment with an exercise style that works for you. Try yoga, Pilates, martial arts, walking, running – anything! And keep trying until you connect with something and are driven to it often.

3) Mindful eating – take your attention to your meal and away from distractions. Chew your food well and savour it. You might find you are full on less food.

4) Create a morning routine – start with a hot towel scrub in the shower to increase your circulation and awaken the body. Then prepare the mind for the day. Sit in a quiet space to meditate, journal, read, listen to your favourite son or just be still.

4) Give generously of yourself and your resources. You might find that the more you put yourself out there and help others that you will reap the karmic rewards.

6) Appreciate. View everything and everyone you meet with gratitude and live each day happily without focusing too much on your problems. If you can’t change or leave the problem, don’t indulge it, accept it and move on, it’s the only way!

7) Laugh. A lot. Fostering a sense of humour really helps de-stress almost every situation!

8) Be positive. Do your best to be on good terms with people, especially those closest to you. Don’t save up all the day’s negativity to dump on the people that care the most. Communicate with them regularly, openly, honestly and with clarity instead of irrationally. Maybe sending a little 'love' text to someone you care about, just because you can! You'll be surprised at the power of your kind words.

9) Breath. We take our breath for granted. Inhale. Exhale. Our body does this without question. But what about the quality of our breath? Take the time to focus in on your breath, listen to it, feel it and slow it down. Become mindful of stressful moments in life when your breath becomes short and sharp and consciously slow the breath down.

10) Slow down. Stop glorifying busy. It’s no where near as cool as you've been led to believe. Do less and do it better.

BIO:

Claire Obeid, founder of The Wellness Project is a Mind-Body-Soul Coach, Yoga Teacher, Writer + Speaker. But really Claire sees herself as a soul-centred wellness advocate living her dream.

Wearing her heart on her sleeve, and armed with powerful wisdom and raw authenticity, Claire spends her days guiding women out of control, limitations, fear, ego and self-doubt and into a life of self-love, freedom and infinite potential. A balanced, happy and perfectly healthy life.

The best way to think of Claire is as a bundle of contradictions – soft, gentle and vulnerable, yet brave, devoted and willing to take a chance. It’s like Mother Nature meets fear-buster meets spirit-fuelled maven.

Her heart beats to the drum of self-enquiry, inner transformation + soulful living. Claire ardently spreads the message of surrender + the limitless life that comes with it. And is forever eager to do the dirty work, go deep, play big and perpetually evolve in mind-body-spirit. That’s her bag.

She is the author or two ebooks: INSPIRED – A DIY Retreat to Distil Your Dreams + Clarify Your Visions and 17 Ways to Surrender for Your Best Life Yet!

Claire is also the creator of the transformational and powerful ecourse: The Freedom Project. And has recently launched a FREE 21 Day Meditation Project.

Website: www.claireobeid.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ClaireObeidTheWellnessProject

Twitter: https://twitter.com/claireOWellness

Instagram: claireOwellness