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It\u2019s not about how much money you make. It\u2019s not about how many famous people you know, your neighborhood, or your job title. At the end of the day, the experience of life is really all just about how you feel. They say \u201chealth is wealth,\u201d and it\u2019s true. When we feel good, we\u2019re able to step into our fullest potential and to do the things that make us the most happy. And here\u2019s the secret: It\u2019s all in your hands. The decisions you make\u2014both small and big\u2014are the building blocks for your sense of wellbeing and empowerment. No one else is going to care for your wellbeing the way you can, but you can make the decision right now to play a conscious role in learning to feel your best.<\/span><\/p>\n Making the choice to discover what wellbeing looks like for you\u2014what feels good\u2014is one of the most important gifts you can give yourself. I\u2019ve spent my career honing concepts and tools to help people step into this personal power. Ready to get started? There are a few simple\u00a0<\/span>areas in life to focus on to start cultivating what feels good<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Our food and \u201csick-care\u201d systems have failed us. Ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, which greatly contributes to our increasing dia-besity epidemic, are subsidized by the government and included in everything from cookies to salad dressing and even infant formulas. Our healthcare system is designed to treat symptoms, rather than look at the person as a whole or focus on creating good health and preventing disease in the first place. It\u2019s time that we take back control of our food system<\/a> and the way we approach health. This starts with becoming an informed consumer and recognizing that health has many facets, all of which need to be nourished in order for us to feel genuinely good.<\/span><\/p>\n Eating a wide variety of colorful, real foods in their most natural form is a surefire way to provide your body with a nutrient-dense diet, while avoiding the heavily-processed ingredients that lurk in packaged foods. My Pegan diet<\/a> (a blend of Paleo and vegan) is a balanced approach to getting the most out of your meals, with a focus on leafy greens and non-starchy vegetables, a bit of fruit, lots of healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and using clean animal proteins<\/a> as a condiment instead of the centerpiece of a meal. I\u2019ve seen this way of eating transform thousands of lives. When it comes to quality, choosing organic produce and pasture-raised meats is always the best option. To take it a step further, look for farms that can supply these foods in your area, so you\u2019re supporting your local community while eating for vibrant health.<\/span><\/p>\n While getting in touch with our emotional health and cultivating positive relationships can be pretty uncomfortable for many people, it absolutely is a major aspect of feeling good. <\/span>Stepping into our feelings with vulnerability<\/a>, love, and kindness can help turn our emotional compass into a friend, instead of a foe. That\u2019s because the more we push the bad feelings away, the more power they seem to hold over us. My favorite ways to support emotional health are deep breathing practices, talking to someone I trust, and taking time to find some self-compassion. <\/span><\/p>\n Happy relationships<\/a> are key to a healthy life. It\u2019s from my own experiences with unsuccessful relationships and striving to improve my connections that I was able to heal and find the most loving relationship of my life. Now, I encourage my patients to do the same, so that they can support their health and wellbeing from all angles. From your relationship with yourself, to your children, friends, and romantic partners, each of these holds significance for your short- and long-term health outcomes, starting in childhood and having a cumulative effect throughout life. We know now, that those with strong social connections benefit us mentally, emotionally, and physically.<\/span><\/p>\n Taking the time to assess your relationships and tap in to what people and actions make you feel good and how you can reciprocate those feelings will improve your connections and create a warm space for new ones to occur. It\u2019s important to note that your relationship with yourself comes first. Without a strong sense of self and abundant self-love, it\u2019s hard to give ourselves fully to others. Self-care<\/a> is not selfish, it\u2019s necessary. Listen to your daily internal dialogue and get a feel for what kind of relationship you have to your mind, body, and spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n Exercise is a vital part of any well-rounded wellness plan<\/a>. It boosts mood, supports cardiovascular health, and improves cognition, along with a host of other benefits. We\u2019re always told to exercise more, but that vague instruction leaves a lot to be desired, especially if you\u2019re just starting to regularly work movement into your routine. <\/span><\/p>\n I personally don\u2019t like going to the gym. There are plenty of other ways I move my body, though, and have fun doing it\u2014this is the key to a sustainable exercise practice. Find something you love to do and make it a playful experience. Realize that you can be active anywhere at any time. One of the amazing benefits of physical activity is that it causes your body to release feel-good chemicals<\/a>, these become a huge motivator for you to make exercise a habit and not a hardship. <\/span><\/p>\n Tuning into your body doesn\u2019t have to be highly physical. Stillness can make us stronger\u2014our minds are muscles too. When we learn to gently quiet our minds and tap into this stillness, we are able to more fully show up in our everyday lives.<\/span><\/p>\nFood as Preventative Care<\/h3>\n
Relationships Matter<\/h3>\n
Movement and Meditation Makes Magic<\/h3>\n