Can you believe August is here already? It seems strange that a year can move so fast and yet so slowly, at the same time. 2020 is no ordinary year. I’m excited about August’s arrival for a few reasons, but one of the most important reasons is that Wellness Month has arrived!

Although we’re already a few days into the month, we have the rest of it to focus on wellness. I know we talk about it all the time, which is fantastic – but this month, we get to focus on it.

This month, I encourage you to sit down and create a written wellness plan for yourself. Take inventory of the things that work well and those that don’t. Assess where you are in different areas of your life that impact your overall wellness. Do you know that there are eight dimensions of wellness? We tend to think about it in terms of physical health — nutrition, exercise, weight management, etc., but it is so much more. Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit.1 Consider each of these areas when creating your plan and incorporate things into it that address your goals and areas of concern. Include actionable steps that will move you from where you are to where you’d like to be. Get creative when considering solutions.

There’s no better time than now to start or renew your commitment wellness.
If you’re doing well physically, great! Focus on another area that may need attention. Look for resources that will help you to create and execute your plan, if needed. Where improved emotional health is the focus, the help of a therapist or counselor may be a good place to start. Trying to wrangle financial matters or work-related concerns? Consider the help of a financial planner or career coach. Wherever you are on your wellness journey, take some time to make the adjustments you need. You are a dynamic being, so change is woven into the fiber of who you are. If you’re feeling good about where you are in a particular area or dimension, shift your focus. In this way, wellness becomes a lifestyle, and that’s the goal.

Stay focused. The future is WELL!

The wellness tip this week was all about building the immune system. Even though summer is here and a winter cold is the last thing on most minds, the ongoing pandemic and general health maintenance make it just the right time to rev up our engines.

As I prepared one of my favorite lunchtime staples, I thought I’d share a little of it with you. It’s hot, and I don’t like spending much time in the kitchen during this time of year, so salads are always a good option, but I get bored. One of the great things about salads is that you can make them any way you’d like. Gone are the days when a basic garden salad was the only option. With a base typically (but not always) made of leafy greens and other ingredients to your liking, it can be a satisfying full meal and pretty quick and easy to make.

With this week’s Wellness Wednesday Tip fresh on my mind, I made a salad with loads of tasty, immune-boosting ingredients. I used a combination of roasted root veggies and other kitchen staples, and my lunch was fast and satisfying. Here are the immune-boosting goodies hidden in some of them:

• Beets: This gem contains potassium, betaine, magnesium folate & vitamin C.
• Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene, fiber, potassium, and anti-oxidants.
• Avocado: Full of healthy fats, dietary fiber, folate, magnesium, riboflavin, and a variety of vitamins.
• Pea Shoots: Contains protein, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Iron, and fiber
• Pumpkin Seeds: Contains zinc, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus

Staying on top of our immune systems doesn’t have to be complicated. We can use what we have and do what we know to help keep ourselves healthy and strong. A quick visit to your cupboards and fridge is a great place to start. Happy building!