Welcome to Rhonda’s Wellness Corner. This is a sacred space dedicated to spreading the good word about health, wellness and natural living. The goal is to explore, discuss and resolve topics of health and wellness by sharing information that empowers readers to minimize pain, illness and disease while maximizing good health, strength and vitality.

Wellness is more than the absence of disease. It involves choosing foods that feed and fuel the body with high-quality nutrients over foods that are merely pleasing to the pallet. Wellness is a state of consciousness that listens and responds to the body’s need for nourishment, exercise and positive stimulation. Well- ness is the direct result of deliberate steps taken to balance mind, body and spirit.

It cannot be obtained from a pill, syringe, bottle or scalpel. It cannot be prescribed by a physician or purchased over-the-counter.

Wellness cannot be found in a yoga studio, gym or spa.

Authentic wellness occurs within.

It doesn’t wait for illness to develop before doing some- thing about it. It is a subtle shift in thinking that nudges one to make informed, life- affirming choices about food, physical activities and mental stimuli. Wellness is an aware- ness of the role of everyday thoughts, actions and words in our quest to live an abundant, balanced, high energy, low stress life.
This brief list scratches the surface of various aspects of wellness. • Sleep. Ability to sleep through the night (6-8 hours) without interruption by racing thoughts or night- time bowel and urinary tract elimination.

• Nutrition. Makes nutritious food choices for the healthy development of cells and tissue, and optimum functioning of organs. Exercise healthy portion control and life-affirming food combinations.

• Adaptability. Adapts to change and loss, spending appropriate time in each of the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance).

• Mobility. Able to sit up- right in a chair for much of the day. Able to move (walk, drive, wheel) independently from place to place without exhaustion or pain.

• Mental. Expects positive outcomes. Frames most situations in a positive or constructive manner.

• Environmental. Seeks out positive stimuli in entertainment and relationship choices. Lives and works in a clutter-free environment. Spends time in the company of a consistent and persistent support network of friends and family.

• Life skills. Exhibits acceptable social behavior. Interacts with others with- out issue. Able to easily troubleshoot and solve life’s problems. Thinks clearly and exhibits decisiveness. Able to develop and follow simple processes from beginning to end. Accepts and lives up to commitments.

• Emotional. Ability to identify and clearly state feelings to others. Enjoys feelings of happiness, joy and satisfaction. Able to bring about positive feelings using thought and memory.

• Physical state. Body effectively fights disease through natural immunity. Able and willing to exercise daily with a goal to build stamina, increase endorphins, and build stamina and healthy muscle tissue. Takes deliberate steps to prevent illness and maintain health and wellness.

Together, let’s embark on a journey to living well through positive life choices. We will explore food, exercise, mental and physical healthcare, complementary and alternative medicine and integrated approaches to health and healing. It’s never too late. Choose wellness. Choose life!