When is the last time that you planned for wellness? We all make “to do” lists and dutifully check them off but how often does your health make the list?

In today’s society we are all fully aware of the “right” things to do. In fact, sometimes all of the information is overwhelming and stifling. 

How do we actually turn that theory into practical application?

In caring for patients, I have watched the positive impact of simply taking small steps towards health each day.  As research shows, when it comes to a person’s health, routine habits matter most.

A few things to keep in mind to maintain good health include working towards balance in your life, having a focus on where you want the direction of your life to go, being aware of what you put into (and onto!) your body and engaging in physical activity each day.
Many times it is the questions we ask ourselves each day that frame our life for success.

Ask yourself, “How can I choose wellness today? What action can I take that will create positive change in my life?”

Creating Balance
Creating balance in your life is an art form. Here are 3 things you can do to achieve balance:

1. Be Present:  Allow yourself to be present in your life.  Often times that is difficult to do.  An easy way to bring yourself back to this moment is to be aware of your senses.  What do you see around you, what do you hear, etc.
2. Silence:  We all need time to quiet our minds and allow creative thought to form.  Set aside a few minutes each day.
3. Focus on your joy:  Joyfulness adds quality to our lives.  Ask yourself each day, what brings me joy and create more of those experiences.

Take Action
Our ideas become powerful when we turn them into action.

1. Learn Intention: It all starts here, so where do you intend to take your life? First envision what you see for your life and try to be as clear as you can.
2. Act:  What small action can you take today to affect great change?  It is the small steps forward each day that create the masterpiece of our lives.
3. Live out loud:  What gifts and talents do you uniquely possess to share with this world.  Start sharing them.

Food & Body
The best gift you can give yourself is learning how to follow your instincts. When your body is balanced, it will guide you towards the foods that bring you balance. Here are a few general guidelines for nourishing your body.

1. Live foods: when you eat live foods, you feed your body in a way that is beneficial to your health.  Live foods means the foods are in their whole form.  Great examples are vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and nuts.
2. Liquids:  We want to hydrate ourselves each and every day.  Water continues to be the best source.
3. Community:  Learn to sit and eat your meal with intention and share the experience if you can.  In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives it is important to remember to enjoy each moment.

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About Dr. Tower Dr. Tower is the founder of The Wellness Tower in Houston, Texas, located inside the Village Herbs and Wellness Center in the Rice Village, 5411 Morningside Drive.  Her practice promotes wellbeing and focuses on holistic health.  Dr. Tower is board certified in Family Medicine with an emphasis on preventive and holistic health with experience including Dr. Andrew Weil’s Integrative medicine rotation and nutrition coursework, John Hopkins Preventive Medicine rotation, Harvard Mind Body Medicine program and M.D. Anderson’s Complementary Medicine program.  If you would like to set up a wellness consultation with Dr. Tower’s office, call 713-876-8776 or visit www.TheWellnessTower.com for more information.