September is a good month to walk the talk. The weather is changing, school is starting, and there is a bit of hopeful anticipation in the air. Can you feel it?
It is important to work on the whole person when we walk the talk. Physical, mental, and emotional wellness need to be in balance so that we can be our best selves. Great, Coach, but how do we do all that? I’m glad you asked; here are some tips:

Physical wellness is about doing what you can to help your body function and feel strong. Like all pieces of personal wellness, what helps you may be different from what helps someone else, so please listen to your body.
Some go to starters are as follows:

1. Drink water throughout the day. Water gets rid of waste, keeps your temperature regulated, lubricates your joints, and protects tissue.
2. Move your body. Moving your body helps with emotional regulation, increases happiness, flexibility, and strength.
3. Eat at least one healthy meal per day. Food is fuel for our bodies, and when our bodies are empty they don’t perform.
   

“Exercise is key not only to physical health but to peace of mind.” – Nelson Mandela

Mental Health is about balancing one’s state of mind, treatment of others, and treatment of self.
Some go to starters are as follows:

1. Practice self-awareness through body scanning (in this present moment, what are your thoughts, what is your energy level, and what is your gut telling you?) and journaling.
2. When speaking to others, use the phrase I feel________ I need __, keep tone even, give real compliments, and take responsibility.
3. Speak kindly to yourself. Have scripted responses ready to block negative thoughts. For example, when your mind thinks, I’ll never get that job. Have a response ready to say aloud to yourself to stop that thought and replace it with, “I work hard; they would be lucky to hire me.”
   

“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you go; they merely determine where you start.” -Nido Qubein

Emotional health is the ability to feel, manage, and express emotions in a way that does not harm yourself or others.
Some go to starters are as follows:

1. Take time for yourself each day. Everyone needs alone/down time to relax and renew. This looks different for everyone. Some relax by biking or walking, some with a bubble bath, and others with music and a coloring book. Be you.
2. Look at problems from different angles/perspectives. Flexible thinking is important. There are many stakeholders in a situation and everyone is going through stuff. Try to see a point from another perspective other than your own.
3. Be in community with others. People need people in order to practice getting along with people. Join a group, go out with friends, or play a sport on a regular basis so you can practice playing nice with other people.
   

“Self-regulating your emotions can be beneficial to your present and future self.” – Angel Moreira