What Wellness Means To Me

Written By Gelsey Plaza

To me, wellness encompasses harmony in every aspect of life: my body, my mind, my home, my family, my community, and the earth. It’s about achieving balance across all these areas. To truly thrive, I must cultivate a healthy, nourished body and a calm mind free from worry and anxiety. (If you know me, then you know that I am a very anxious person who worries about everything). So a big component of wellness for me is trusting myself, listening to myself and slowing down. To achieve true wellness, I must listen to my body and mind, recognize my own needs, and take the necessary actions to fulfill them. It’s essential for me to prioritize what feels right for myself, rather than what others expect.

One of the biggest aspects of overall wellness for me is loving myself and accepting who I am. If I don’t love myself, how can I be well? I must show my body that I love and care for it. I must show my body that I will do anything for it--I will do anything for it to be well. This means listening to my body when it wants food and extra nourishment. Listening to my body when it wants rest and to recover and heal. Listening to my body when it wants alone time and quiet. Listening to my body when it wants to move and let loose. I must learn to understand my body’s cues and signals, and trust it. My body knows best--it knows me best. The most important relationship I will ever be in is the one I am in with myself. My body is my home--and it will be forever. So I must love it. Embrace it. Nurture it. And nourish it. 

How do I encompass wellness into my daily life? I love starting off my day with morning yoga to wake up and stretch my body. Yoga grounds me, energizes my mind and body, and helps me appreciate what my body can do for me. Keeping a little gratitude journal and writing down aspects of my life that I am grateful for helps me keep things in perspective--I already have so much in my life to be thankful for every day. I enjoy going on nature walks every day. Being outside refreshes and rejuvenates me, and I feel so much more connected to nature and this beautiful planet that we get the privilege to live on. Eating wholesome, nourishing, REAL foods make me feel my best and most energized. Reading brings me to new places outside of reality. It’s nice to escape the real world once in a while. I also enjoy coloring, for it relaxes my (overstimulated) mind, and I always feel happier and more calm after a coloring session. 

When I do things that help my overall wellness (such as those above), I am happier. I am nicer to be around. I am more radiant and energized. I am more appreciative of what I have. I feel more connected to myself and others, and thus, I feel more at home--more at home with myself, my family, my community, and my environment.  

I really love this quote I found online about wellness, so I’ll share it with you:

"Wellness is happiness. It's being around light, clean air, great food, having a chance to nourish my spirit and myself so that I'm fueled to do everything else that I want to do."

—Dr. Taz 

If we aren't healthy, happy, and thriving, how can we truly live life to the fullest?

My absolute favorite one-stop shop for everything nontoxic is Live Healthillie! Illie is an absolute legend in the health and wellness industry. She inspires me every day! Her genuine work ethic, deep commitment to our health, and authentic personality are truly empowering.

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Gelsey Plaza
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