In a few short days old father time will fade out and the new year baby will take center stage. This is the time when we begin to regret the rich foods and extra drinks we have enjoyed during Chris-Thanks-O’Ween. We resolve to exercise more, eat healthier food, and cut back on all the goodies that are now evident on our bodies. As the saying goes, “a moment on the lips; a lifetime on the hips.”
Overall I am a pretty healthy eater by choice. The semi-annual blood tests remind me I also need to be healthier by recommendation – of the doctor! I find that if I move during the day, avoiding the sedentary lifestyle that comes with colder, darker days, I do feel better. I’m not alone. Many people are thinking about lifestyle goals with enthusiasm as the calendar reminds us of another rotation around the sun.
This year let’s look at wellness from a broader perspective. The term wellness has been around for quite some time and is often paired with the word health – as in Health and Wellness. Wellness refers to so much more than exercise and diet, although those two factors affect overall wellness much more than we give them credit.
Wellness is the active pursuit of lifestyle choices that leads to a state of good health, holistically. Rather than looking only at those things that cause illness, it considers the integration of mind, body, and spirit.
Early in this millennia, I developed a model for balanced living. Honestly, it was my interpretation of the Hindu philosophy of chakras, which at that time was relegated to the “woo woo”. Over the past twenty-five years, the system has been mainstreamed by several entities, embracing the reality of wholeness. In a nutshell, wellness (or life balance) can be achieved by awareness of physical, emotional, occupational, social, creative, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of your life.
Physical, obviously, has to do with nutrition, exercise, and even sleep patterns.
Emotional focuses on managing feelings, building resilience, feeling connected.
Occupational is finding satisfaction in work, volunteering, or tasks that give you a sense of self.
Social is fostering positive relationships, finding community, and eliminating unhealthy interactions.
Creative has to do with self-expression which can be manifested in a number of ways. Not just artistically or in singing, playing an instrument, or painting, but also in the way we dress, how we carry ourselves, our approach to celebrating, and so on.
Intellectual refers to mental stimulation and may include reading, writing, puzzles, etc.
Spiritual relates to identifying your purpose, your values, and finding meaning in your life.
Each of these facets in your life are components of wellness. Together, they comprise who you are; how you see yourself; and how others view you. Finding wellness, as a whole person, can bring happiness and improved health.
I wish for you, our dear readers, a healthy, happy, 2026 and wholistic wellness.
Silver Sage Sisters 