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Healthy lifestyle

In my previous speeches on wellness days I have made the point to remind you that a healthy lifestyle begins with the total person.

To be more specific that a balance among the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of the total person is the key to long-term success and much productivity in the workplace and overall improvement of quality of life.

Based on this we know that when individuals are less stressed, they become more energized, motivated, innovative, productive, resilient and focused and thus become healthier and miss less work opportunities.

Today I want to move my message a bit further and share with you insights about the importance of positive thoughts and their role in how we experience different moments in our lives. However, before I talk about this, I should like to say that there are 3 things that seem to be much agreed upon among experts on the experience of a good life .

Firstly, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction not a destination.” Secondly, “change comes from the inside out.” Thirdly, “change your mind, your life will follow.” One of the frameworks in psychology known as Positive psychology is responsible for some of these points of departure I am using in my speech here today.

The Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Pennsylvania led by experts such as Martin Seligman define positive psychology as a field that is “founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their experiences of love, work, and play.” This is precise foundation I wish to use in my talk to you today about how to feel good!

Josephine Rathbone says the following “If we could learn how to balance rest against effort, calmness against strain, quiet against turmoil, we would assure ourselves of joy in living and psychological health for life”.

When we use negative self talk, we are being unkind to ourselves. Thus, a simple act such as kindness towards ourselves by using positive self talk, is critical to the realisation of meaningful change in ourselves.

I realise that this is more than a challenge; however, I am always mindful of the Chinese Proverb that says “A journey of a thousand miles begins with but a single step. It is important to take small steps in making sure that these changes are more sustainable and not just a passing fad.

• Emotional - Mental Health gives us peace of mind, calmness, focus, clarity, confidence, motivation, positive thoughts & feelings, healthy choices and behaviors;
• Physical Health may help us improve weight loss / management & fitness / nutrition goals, lowering stress, improving sleep & energy)
• Relationship Health by improving communication, conflict resolution, collaboration, healthy loving boundaries, and giving a clear map to follow for healthy relationships for couples, parents, families, work places & communities;
• Purpose and Passion by clarifying purpose and goals as well as promoting passion in career, work, vocation, sports, school, and life; and,
• Spiritual Balance by enhancing personal growth, awareness and deepening meditation or contemplation.