The Seven

It takes a lot of effort to get your health and life on track, so the first step is to get to a good mindset. You need a good attitude to get back up after you stumble or fall. You have your unique values, and goals, and you are shaping your sense of purpose and meaning. Getting clear on your North Star – the direction you want to travel on your life journey is essential.  

Food is medicine, and food can be poison, too. Developing a way of eating that you believe in, that works for your mind and body, and that you find sustainable is essential for health and wellbeing.

Sleep, exercise, and daily routine and structure are three key components of lifestyle. Without good sleep and sufficient exercise, it will be hard to feel well and be well. We all need structure that works with our brains’ circadian clock and the seasons of nature and life.

We are learning more and more about how the health of our body affects our mental health. Chronic inflammation is one of the fundamental mechanisms through which body issues impact our minds. Hidden infections, immune system issues, and hormones must be considered and addressed.

With knowledge and skill, we can get better at navigating emotions. We can cultivate positive emotional states, develop resilience, and accept negative emotions. We can widen our window of tolerance to welcome all emotions and all experiences that life brings through mindfulness.

Your professional life impacts your personal life—and your mental health. Are there patterns that keep you stuck or unhappy at work? Do you get to use your strengths at work? How could work be engaging and energizing rather than boring and draining?

Loving yourself and developing a consistent attitude of self-compassion is the first step. On that foundation of self-love, we can then build safe, secure, supportive, and nurturing relationships. Love and the quality of our relationships tremendously impact our physical and mental health. We can improve relationships by improving our relationship and communication skills and sorting out patterns and beliefs that may get in the way. Loving ourselves and others is a lifelong pursuit.