Live Long Live Well has always been my guiding philosophy; it is one that has shaped my life and inspired my business, so I have decided to write my first column for LymeLine using that same title.
As I started to think about what Living Well really means to me and to my clients, I realized that I wasn’t just writing an article, but a whole series of articles, which will run with different individual titles under the column name of Live Long, Live Well.
Living well is not just about the absence of illness; it isn’t about a prescribed set of rules or a list of shoulds and should nots, it’s about a journey and a practice. It’s about being at ease in your space, with your body, with your attitude and with your environment.
Wellness is about having the mental, physical and emotional fitness to enjoy your life in a way that is in line with your goals, hopes, dreams and values. Most importantly wellness is personal and wellness is relative.
Wellness is a word that describes you, doing your best. Wellness is your life at a balanced optimum. Wellness is health in the deepest and broadest sense of the word. It is a practice, and a process. It requires patience and persistence. Wellness embraces your entire being, accepts you as you are, and loves you unconditionally. Wellness walks with you. http://www.uwa.edu/Wellness
This is my favorite definition of wellness; beautiful and inspiring, yet it is so esoteric that many of us need a more structured approach to tackling the challenges which prevent us from enjoying life.
I like the University of Western Alabama’s approach to Wellness and Wellbeing (http://www.uwa.edu/Wellness_and_Well-Being.aspx), which is to think about overall “wellness” as incorporating eight components: Emotional, Financial, Intellectual, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Time Management, and Work (paid or unpaid).
A lack of balance in any one (or for most of us in all) of these components can lead to one big problem: stress. As we learn more about the negative impact that stress has on our bodies, the more important we realize it is to manage these components of our lives in order to mitigate the damage.
So … where does that leave us? What can we do today to help us to Live Long and Live Well? It is vital that we make time for ourselves to recharge: getting adequate sleep, proper nutrition, daily meditation or yoga, exercising in nature, and massage therapy are all excellent tools to help you relax and rejuvenate body, mind and spirit.
Living a healthy balanced lifestyle is key, but it doesn’t have to be about deprivation and giving up everything you love; it’s about having the information to help you make positive decisions about your health and wellbeing. As we tackle some more of these issues in more depth, my hope is that this column will serve as a resource to help you make informed decisions about your own personal wellness.
Live Long, Live Well!
Lindsay Eisensmith is the owner and Spa Director at Vitality: Spa-Therapy, located at 14 Lyme Street, Old Lyme. Lindsay holds a degree in Exercise & Sports Studies from Smith College. Additionally, she is a certified Personal Trainer (NASM), CT Licensed Massage Therapist and Holistic Health Coach certified by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. Vitality customizes treatment plans to each individual by integrating organic skincare, therapeutic massage, acupuncture, yoga, meditation, stretching and corrective exercise to create a personalized wellness program that targets each client’s unique health needs, budget, and lifestyle. Our aim is to always exceed the expected.