Wellness is a choice

From diet fads to new exercise regimes to lifestyle changes – I have made the journey several times before realising that wellness is much more wholesome than it is considered. Today, for me, wellness is a healthy mix of physical and mental wellbeing, emotional grounding, and economic security – a feeling of comfort and wellness that centers my day. The pandemic has changed the way we work, compressed our world, challenged our conscious and subconscious behaviours, and views on everything from financial planning and investing, to personal health and choices.

?When I look around, everything is moving at an accelerated pace, and we are required to operate with a consistent set of values while still leaning into opportunity to maintain a certain degree of balance.

I often remember staring at the stars for long periods of time, as a little girl – Orion, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, and many more constellations as they maintained a precarious balance in the sky. I would dream of the future, of faraway lands and of people I would meet, of books I would read and movies I would watch. Every deep breath brought me closer to myself and I usually ended every stargazing session with a sense of calm and a smile on my face. Those little acts today are called different things – meditation, self-introspection, affirmations, visualisations. It's amazing how little acts of childhood can define your perspective on wellness and wellbeing.

Though busy schedules and meetings keep me on my toes, I attempt to do three simple things that help me not only to stay in control but also be at ease with myself. It ensures that I stay in touch with that little girl who saw a whole world of possibility, opportunity, and imagination every night.

1. Block 60 mins of “me time” in the day broken into three 20-minute chunks. Each of these chunks are used to either read, listen to music, workout, or anything that I would want to do for me
2. Eat one device free meal with my family. We enjoy this routine as a family right from menu planning to cooking and eating together.
3. Paint a mandala. This helps me focus and calms my mind, allowing me to quieten my thoughts, free myself from distraction and appreciate the qualities of the present moment.

I have realised that, for me, wellbeing has and will always be a journey – attained little by little. It defines who I am as a person. The secret sauce is to commit to that journey and keep taking those little steps every day.

“It’s not your job to be everything to everyone. You are the master of your life. Put your health, well-being, and happiness first."

It’s not what we do occasionally that shapes our lives but what we do consistently. Spend a conscious effort to find what brings you alive, gives you ‘inner peace’. Because in the long run, your body will be as strong as your mind makes it out to be. As most of us start to come back to office we must make sure we stay committed to any healthy habits we may have taken up and continue to keep the momentum.

As for me, every day I take a few moments, a couple of deep breaths and try to observe as to what energizes me, what I am grateful for, and most importantly, I never forget to stare at the stars.

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