WELLBEING IS A SKILL : Here are 5 Practices to help you build this very important life skill.

We're halfway into Women's Month, and in the handful of conferences I have participated in thus far, a few common themes stand out during many discussions. When it comes to the struggles women face as they build both their career and home life, three things top the list: Inclusion, Work-life Balance, and Stress Management. Without a doubt, a woman’s well-being is central to her fight for inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition.

But what is wellbeing exactly, and how is that different from Happiness?

Happiness is an emotion that is transitory in nature. It is a feeling that comes and goes. It’s like when you receive your paycheck; you feel happy. But when you start paying your bills and the money runs out, you’re not anymore.

Wellbeing, on the other hand, is a lasting state. It’s an experience of good health, calmness, and prosperity, and most importantly, it is having the strong ability to cope with varying life stresses. Therefore, when your well-being is high, your feelings of happiness increase in frequency too.

For many women, the idea of having an elevated sense of wellbeing seems rather elusive. Some even feel it’s just the hand they are dealt with and they have no other choice but to suffer their circumstances. What they fail to realize is that wellbeing is, in fact, a skill - it can be taught, it can be learned, it can be increased over time, and it can be sustained throughout one’s lifetime.

HERE ARE 5 PRACTICES TO HELP YOU (WOMAN OR NOT) BUILD THIS VERY CRUCIAL LIFE SKILL.

1.PRACTICE SELF-AWARENESS

True self-awareness is not just about knowing what we’re good at; that’s just half of the equation. The other half is knowing how being ourselves affects the people around us. Everyone has unique talents, abilities, and blind spots. By recognizing and nurturing these attributes, we can achieve our fullest potential without being blind to the consequences of our actions.

2. PRACTICE POSITIVE SELF-NARRATIVES

Self-narratives are the stories we tell ourselves; about our past, our present, and our future. The stories that we believe to be true become the stories we share with others. It determines the direction of our lives and the decisions that we make. Understanding your relationship with language will give you the agency to change your narrative from that of a helpless victim, to a thriving survivor.

3. PRACTICE POSITIVE RITUALS

Rituals are important for us human beings because we thrive in certainty and predictability. Our brains need that. Rituals are the little things we do on a daily basis that produce results; It's what you do or don’t do; what you say or don’t say; what you eat or don’t eat. Repeated actions create patterns that form your reality and therefore your life. Grounding yourself in the daily practice of gratitude and generosity is one good example. And it does not have to be material or monetary in nature. You can be generous with your time, your knowledge, and even your assumptions.

4. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION

The Mind and the Breath are the two most powerful tools we all have in our arsenal when it comes to dealing with stress. If your notion of mindfulness and meditation to this day still borders on mysticism, then you’ve been living under a rock! Scientific research in the fields of neuroscience, epigenetics, psychoneuroimmunology, and even quantum physics have shown evidence of the effectiveness of these methods in facilitating personal transformation.

5. PRACTICE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

Healthy Boundaries are a set of instructions that we communicate to the people we love (or don’t love), that teaches them how to have a healthy relationship with us. But don’t mistake self-sabotage for healthy boundaries. When expectations are high and priorities are competing, the one thing that can give you clarity in decision-making are your non-negotiables. Knowing your values and beliefs play a vital role in boundary setting that does not jeopardize your own chances for success. Just remember, IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR SOMETHING; YOU’LL FALL FOR ANYTHING!

Need help bringing these skills to life in the workplace or in your personal life? Write to me at coachjenny@jaqandco.com