What Wellness Means To Me.

When I was looking for an image to put in this blog it was really difficult to choose. When I entered 'wellness' and 'wellbeing' and 'health' into the search bar many different images popped up. 

From lovely bowls of fruit and veg to tanned people on a beach in a yoga pose to bottles of pills.... but nothing that just summed up wellness for me. I am certainly not saying that these images wouldn't portray wellness to others, but I was looking for something else.

I think that's because I realised that wellness will mean something different to all of us. 

When I look back to the  'old' me , the me that existed up to about 6 years ago, I am not sure I gave 'wellness' much thought. Back then I didn't really make much time for wellness and thought that 'relaxation' started when I had my first glass of wine in the evening. 

Even when I discovered Mindfulness and had started to teach it, I would still leave a Mindfulness session to go home and have a glass (or 3) of wine. This seems so ridiculous to me now, but back then alcohol was my way to switch off and relax, even after a fabulously relaxing Mindfulness session.

When I finally said goodbye to alcohol almost 3 years ago, when I stopped using it as , not only a relaxation tool, but a crutch and an excuse for my behaviours, I really started to discover just exactly who I was. And actually that person is someone that I am really proud of. I chose to remove alcohol from my life, to drive my own bus and enjoy where I drive it. 

Alcohol is not my friend and it never was. It is a depressant and a poison and it has no place in my life now. I have done a lot of work on myself, NLP, Mindfulness, Reiki, mental health awareness, a lot of reflection and giving up alcohol was the best thing that I ever did. 

I am happier, healthier and nicer than I ever was when I indulged and I am so grateful for the opportunity I had back then to make the choice I did. I honestly do not believe that I would be sitting here now had I not made that choice.

Whatever wellness means to you remember that a small choice and a lifestyle change can make so much difference to you and to those around you. Whether you need to move around more, take short walks or run a marathon, whether you want to eat a bit more healthily or give up the booze; it will all make a difference. Doing anything is better than doing nothing.

If any of this resonates with any of you or someone you know and you think that I might be able to help in any way, please do get in touch.