In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of other’s lives and simultaneously not feel included “in the loop”. These feelings of missing out, living vicariously through others, or believing you’re alone may contribute to a more negative headspace.

Can you list the five love languages?

The most common love language, per the Huffington Post, is words of affirmation.

One of our country’s leading causes of death is also one of the most preventable chronic diseases.

Mindfulness can help you turn the worst days or situations into something better, especially during the holidays!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving! And after Thanksgiving, both Christmas and New Years will be here and gone in the blink of an eye.

When we find ourselves going through a particularly challenging experience, we often withdraw from our social groups. As we discussed the thoughts and feelings that come with a cancer diagnosis in “After the Diagnosis” blog two weeks ago, it is common to feel alone, isolated, and even disconnected, since no one can understand your journey. Yet, in the instance of a cancer diagnosis, we first dive into physical treatment, forgetting about the role of mental and emotional health. It is a frequent topic of discussion with us at Balanced Wellness, that emotional and mental health play just as large a role in our overall well-being and health as the physical aspects. Life with cancer and life after cancer warrants no exception.

Spending time outdoors improves our memory, productivity, creativity, and concentration! We discussed this in Outdoor Well-Being, making the summer months perfect for taking advantage of warm temperatures, bright sunshine, and fresh air. As with most things that can improve our overall well-being, however, there is a certain level of awareness required to enjoy the perks without experiencing the side effects. More time outdoors means more potential for heat emergencies, bug bites, stings, and other injuries.

Last week, we painted a picture as to the importance our environment and the people in it play when we set our sights on a goal! We start with motivation, but it’s that big picture of intrinsic growth and satisfaction PLUS extrinsic support and common forward movement that significantly increase our chances of success. And as you may have experienced in the past at some point in your life, when those you love are also reaching and hitting a goal, whether it’s the same goal or not, you too feel a sense of accomplishment, excitement, and maybe even an additional push forward! World Health Day is an annual campaign that brings attention to all of the above. How can we improve our overall well-being at the individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels? Because they are all connected – WE are all connected, and we can all experience improved well-being with a big picture approach.

Individual:

This level addresses you as the individual – what can YOU do to make wiser, more intentional choices for your well-being? Whether it’s increased education, self-esteem, or even access to programs and support, addressing the individual’s plan and growth inevitably addresses the big picture, as well! Education programs provide opportunities to learn AND grow with nutritional decisions, physical activity and movement, the importance of biometric screenings and knowing your medical history, etc. Programs like these exist near you, as well as virtually. Contact Balanced Wellness at info@balancedwellnessky.com to discuss opportunities to get involved in a program just right for you!

As we enter the holiday season, how would you like to CELEBRATE and IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH? January 3rd is 40 days away! WHAT IF…you weren’t starting yet another diet plan, but instead you were continuing to CELEBRATE HEALTH. You can quickly:

• lower blood pressure
• reduce arthritic and joint pain
• improve mood and sleep
• and of course, lose weight if you carry extra!

Did you know 6 in 10 Adults in the US have a chronic disease? Reduce your risk for:

• diabetes (and possibly reversing)
• heart disease (and possibly reversing)
• cancer
• alzheimer’s
• chronic Kidney Disease

Interested in 40 Days to Well-being? 8 spots open for this PILOT PROGRAM. I have offered a similar program to the community and now rolling it out to the worksite wellness population.

• Learn to celebrate the holidays making intentional choices for special foods.
• Personalize strategies that are sustainable for YOU
• Focus on FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES – simple, not always easy – build resiliency to improve adherence
• Learn to Create Simple Meal Plans for busy professionals
• Fitness that fits your lifestyle – virtual, library and live!

Imagine a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, some cheese, and a basket of fresh fruit, all set out along the French riviera for you and your family to enjoy the original “piquenique” al fresco in the mid-1700s. Sounds delightful, yes? Well, we may not have the French riviera outside our back door, but we do have so much of what it takes to create a beautiful picnic for family and friends. For you, it may mean the red gingham blanket strewn across a wide-open field. For others, it conjures thoughts of tailgating and football being tossed around.

Again, it is not as though we wake up January 1st and everything is different. BUT, it is a good reason to start a new routine or better yet, a new attitude toward a healthy lifestyle. There are so many areas of our lives we can change. Where does it start for you?

Exercise more and eat healthier hit the top 2 spots – as usual. Why do so many people consistently ‘need’ or ‘want’ to change these two behaviors? Interestingly, losing weight comes in 4th. Honestly, I am glad to see that relationships are more important than weight! Maybe that is one of the hidden benefits of Covid-19, we realized how important relationships really are to our human nature.

Approximately one-third to one-half of the American population has experienced significant stress, anxiety, or sadness that was difficult to cope with alone over the last year and a half. Yet, in many instances, coping with these feelings alone seemed to be the only way to cope. In 2021, the spotlight shines on not only the value of healthy relationships in general, but also on the ways to nurture relationships, regardless of the external circumstances. As we continue to focus on mental health this month, let’s create a strategy for energizing our relationships, thus generating a healthy fuel for our lives!

“Relationships are so powerful – we don’t always appreciate the many levels at which they affect us.” (psychologist Janice Kiecolt-Glaser)

Why are healthy relationships so important to our overall well-being?

• Healthy relationships encourage personal growth.
• Positive relationships add meaning to our life.
• Healthy relationships can decrease stress and lead to a longer life.
• Social support in life.

As you can see, healthy relationships have a powerful and positive impact on our lives. Whether you consider familial relationships, friendships, or relationships with colleagues, neighbors, etc., there are many aspects to fostering a healthy relationship.

2021 Here We Come!

There is something refreshing about a new year! It is an odd cultural thought pattern if you think about it–nothing changes on January 1st when you wake up that is any different than any other day… except your attitude and outlook, and that is EVERYTHING!

As a behavior change coach, we often simplify models to a triangle including 3 elements for successful change…. Skills and knowledge can be taught, but attitude is up to you!

Farmers Market Safety Measures

Farmers markets are ESSENTIAL. They are essential for the local economy, supporting small businesses, promoting clean produce, and increasing accessibility to healthy homemade goods. Not to mention, they are a fun, happy, and encouraging environment to be a part of.

With the mounting economic, social, and healthcare pressures COVID-19 is imparting on the U.S., it is important we implement personal safety measures and continue to support our local farmers markets.

• 6 weeks until Summer! Shift your focus NOW!
• FREE INTRODUCTORY SESSION
• Saturday, May 9th 10:00am
• Register Below

Spring into Summer 2020

Spring into Summer is a 6-week program getting YOU not only FIT, but

Inspiring You to Achieve Your Optimal Well-being

Balanced Wellness focuses on total well-being. What does that mean to you? Sustainable lifestyle change. We are not a diet or exercise program. We coach you to develop a roadmap to your best life. Our program begins with helping you develop your Wellness Vision…a picture of what your best life looks like. You then create a roadmap for your journey and helping you navigate detours along the way. We provide resources along the way.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• Ongoing menu plan which includes a 10-day jump start focused on healthy foods to fuel and heal your body
• An exercise plan designed specifically for you, a library full of workouts, AND live streamed fitness classes
• Meditation and journal resources to set a positive mindset

Tools included:

Materials and Workbook (see our Spring Forward 10 day plan)

Weekly Zoom Meetings

Why Do Positive Family Relationships Benefit Our Well-being?

Under the right circumstances, family relationships are encouraging, reliable, and last a life-time. Especially in your parent’s case, they see you grow up through all the glory of your less-fortunate moments– sometimes when friends aren’t always there to count on. These enduring relationships– with your parents, siblings, grandparents, and otherwise– are of extreme value to you and your well-being. Why? See below!

Like we said above, they are enduring.

Life is a roller coaster! With all of the exhilarating “ups,” come the frustrating “downs.” Generally, family members are there with you through it all. It’s rewarding, it’s heartbreaking, it’s elating, it’s tough. In the end, you’ve endured it all together, and that’s what will bring you closer!

• NOW is the time to improve your nutrition.
• What can you do to move toward a lifestyle change?
• AND have a dietary lifestyle consisting of proteins, fats, AND carbs?!

Let’s take a moment to look at the most common successful “diets” around the world and some of what they ALL have in common.

6 Things Successful Diets Have in Common

Read our Blog: Replacing the Bad with the Better

Balanced Wellness is excited to announce our holiday ‘gift to the community’.

We want to give back to the community – and we need your help. Register for a Prevent T2 program and a registration will be donated to a participant in need.

AND it may be covered by your insurance company!

Download the flyer.

Contact us for details