HOW CAN YOU INCREASE YOUR WELL-BEING? LET YOUR BRAIN TAKE YOU THERE…

Well-being is key for us to function as productive human beings. Although it can be difficult to start, when you set your intention towards what you want and give it your full attention, your brain will help you see what you need to experience.

The most important part of your brain when it comes to your personal success in life is called the reticular activating system, what is it? It’s the part of your brain that filters out the millions of bits of information that you get to take in every day, and it decides what you get to see and experience. I call it ‘red Mini moments’.

Think about the last time you wanted to buy a car. You focused on the make, model, colour, etc, let’s say it’s a red Mini. You then start to see red Minis everywhere.  We tell our brain what we want to see and experience simply by what we most think about.  So it would be useful to think about the things we want and not the things we don’t want, right?

October is my month of well-being. When I began thinking about it I started to see the different parts of what it would take to help me get there. The things I noticed online were everything to do with healthy foods, exercise and Mindset.

I began with physical well-being because when it comes to all the other areas of well-being, I know that if I get this one right – the others will follow. My physical wellness depends on good nutrition, I know food impacts my mood, my thinking and my ability to focus and pay attention to what I am working on.. When I combine my nutrition with physical exercise the impact is huge.

There are four areas when it comes to well-being and it’s helpful to know a little about each and how finding balance can really help you.

1. Physical well-being

Physical exercise is not only the key to good health, but also to peace of mind – Nelson Mandela

Physical well-being includes expanding your knowledge about your lifestyle and how food, good nutrition and physical activity can be an integral part of your lifestyle.

I will share more on each area in my Monday Motivation which goes out to my email list every Monday at 3pm. 

2. Emotional well-being

The present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start. Dr Lauren Fagel Mersy

Emotional well-being refers to building an awareness of and accepting our feelings and moods. It is impossible to feel greater than our thinking. They both work in unison. Awareness around your emotions also helps you manage your ability to keep disruptive triggers in check, and maintain your effectiveness under stressful situations. It doesn’t mean suppressing your emotions, it enables you to stay clear headed and calm. 

3. Spiritual well-being

You do not need to become spiritual, you are spiritual; you need only to remember that fact. Spirit is with in you. God is within you – Julia Cameron author of The Artist Way

Spiritual well-being involves finding your purpose in life and understanding the values, beliefs and morals that create your inner compass and guide how you spend your time and the habits you create. Taking some time each day to self-reflect either through meditation, journaling and the practice of gratitude will help you stay on track.

4. Social well- being

Connection is why we are here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives – Brene Brown

Social wellness entails being cognisant of the impact you and your actions have on your community, the society and nature.

Part of our self-actualisation – becoming the best and highest version of ourselves - starts from the day we are born. There are many variations of the original “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human needs.” We begin our journey through life needing safety and protection, love and belonging – making connections and building relationships, which are building blocks for our self-esteem.  Becoming independent and having the ability to transform through the different stages of our life, creates our maps and meanings, we become part of our community, and then are able give back.

Personal-mastery around all four areas of well-being takes practice and persistence, here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you start:

Clarity – What is it that I want?

Motivation - Why do I want that?

Strategy - What are the steps that will get me there?

Ability – Can I do this? Have I done it before?

Evidence – How will I know that I have achieved it? – What will I see, think and feel?

When I start my coaching sessions I begin with the first question – what do you want?  8/10 times it takes the whole first session for my client to get clear on what they want, which is exciting, because it's an opportunity for new beginnings. Not the easiest thing to do on your own - but a great place to start.

Take out a journal and start writing things down – writes whatever pops into your mind and decide on what the most important one is for you.