July is a very special time for me.  It marks the beginning of my year, personally and professionally.  For the sixth time in as many years, I have packed my suitcase and headed for Stevens Point, Wisconsin for the National Wellness Conference (NWC).  Although the accommodations aren’t fancy (un-air-conditioned dorm rooms) and the weather is usually hot and humid, it is definitely the highlight of my year.

A Difficult Articulation

I have tried, unsuccessfully, in the past to explain to others just what is so special about this conference - and those who organize it, present at it, and attend it - but it is hard to describe.  Like chocolate, it needs to be experienced to be understood.

However, one of the speakers this year, Martin Collis, PhD) may have given me a tool that will help me share my enthusiasm.  Dr. Collis, in his humorous keynote talk, shared the spirit of ‘high-level wellness.’  In reviewing my notes from the session, I realized that the National Wellness Conference not only teaches me the core components of wellness, but allows me to fully experience them as well.  In the following two part series, I would like to share his model and explore how the conference inspires each of these ideas in me!  This is all done with the hope, of course, that this may inspire you to pursue high-level wellness for yourself.

First Dr. Collis recommends being more MELLOW in our approach to life.  In this sense, MELLOW is not only an attitude but also an acronym that illustrates the path towards high-level wellness.  This week I will discuss the “M” and “E” of MELLOW.

M - Magic of the Mind

“The mind is everything. What you think, you become.”  ~Buddha

Our minds are very powerful - and by working with our thoughts, we can influence our bodies.  In a humorous way, Dr. Collis reminded us that our organs are ‘listening’ to our thoughts, and we need to choose our thoughts carefully, to exercise our response-ability.

The conference helped me remember this advice and provided tools to work with negative thoughts.  Every year the event never fails to fill me with optimistic energy for my work and my future.

E - Exercise

We are designed to be vigorous animals.  Dr. Collis noted that if we could reap the benefits of exercise in the form of a pill, it would be an enormous success.  There really are few substitutions for regular physical activity - especially for something that we take for granted: walking!

At NWC, we have lots of opportunities for movement.  We can do NIA, line dancing, yoga, pilates, and Zumba - in the morning or between sessions.  In addition, conference attendees dash to various buildings for keynotes, break-outs and meals.

Those are the “M” & “E” of the MELLOW approach to high-level wellness.  I hope this introduction will get you thinking this week about who or what is supportive of your health.  Next week, we will complete the exploration of MELLOW.  In the mean time, I would love to hear more about your path to high-level wellness in the comment section below! What do you consider re-energizing?

Sara Armstrong is the owner of Zoi Wellness Consulting. In addition to wellness coaching, Sara specializes in health education seminars, diabetes prevention and management, Health for EVERY Body, and worksite wellness design. You can email Sara for a free wellness consultation at sara@zoiconsulting.com.