Your Wellness Checkup – Continued

3 More Ways to Infuse Health Into Your Life

Welcome back, wellness enthusiasts! If you thought we were done infusing your life with health, you're in for a delightful surprise. In this exciting sequel to our last wellness-filled Engage-O-Gram, we're diving deeper into the art of relaxation, the magic of unplugging, and the wonders of achieving that elusive work-life balance. So, kick back, relax, and get ready to embark on a journey to a healthier, happier you. Because, as we'll learn, wellness isn't just a destination—it's a way of life. So let's strap on our sneakers and lace up those wellness boots, for we're about to conquer the next frontier in our wellness checkup!

Learn Stress Management and Relaxation (Ohhmm)

Stress is an ignorant state. It believes that everything is an emergency. —Natalie Goldberg.

Do you know how to breathe? Really breathe? I went on a five-day team-building outing with my colleagues. Besides learning how to work more effectively together, we had outdoor activities and stress management sessions. That’s where we learned to breathe, relax our ever-busy minds, and focus on some beautiful vacation scenes. We learned to stop negative thinking midstream and try some affirmation instead. My favorite new phrase when I’m feeling overwhelmed is, “It’ll all get done— it always does.” Sounds corny, but it actually works for me. Try these:

• The next time you feel stressed, find a quiet place (it might have to be the restroom). Breathe slowly and focus on nothing else but your breath going in and out of your lungs.
• Rent a relaxation CD or take a class. Find one technique that works for you.
• Create three custom affirmations (positive statements) that seem to help you.

My favorite affirmation makes me grin—and that makes me relax. It goes like this: “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.”

Unleash and Unplug (Ahhh)?

The communication age is just great, isn’t it? People can reach you anytime, anywhere, anyplace.?

Have you considered:

• Taking a vacation? That means a time-out from work. No laptop, no cell phone, no beeper.
• Turning your blinking, buzzing, ringing communication tools off when you’re having dinner with friends and family?
• Unplugging your brain from your work? See a movie, play a game, build something, play some music, take pictures, learn to draw, bird-watch, journal, fix a bike— in the middle of the week!

Baby Steps for Better Balance

If you’re out of balance and spending more time at work (or doing work) than you want, here are a few ideas. Start slowly—it could be a shock to your system!

• Do not go into the office on any weekend this month.
• Take work home only twice this week.
• Leave exactly on time at least once this week.
• Say no to the next after-hours meeting. (Gulp!)
• Leave the building for lunch every other day this week.
• Rejoin your health club.

You are ultimately in charge of your own state of health and well-being. Ask your boss and others for help in accomplishing your wellness goals. But take control and do something now to increase your own level of mental, emotional, and physical fitness.

Schedule that checkup so you don’t check out! We’re going for a walk now.

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Adapted with permission from Love It, Don’t Leave It, Copyright 2003 by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans. Published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Inc.