Personal wellness or wellbeing is, well, just that – personal. How you define, achieve and maintain it is based on your personal needs, wants, preferences and beliefs. It includes attention to a combination of physical, emotional, mental, social and spiritual factors for each of us. For some of us, it’s about making work meaningful or finding a higher purpose, for others it’s all about a good night’s sleep and eating healthy food. Not only does the definition of personal wellbeing differ between each of us, but our wellness practices are also as unique as we are. Our experience of wellbeing seems to ebb and flow; we never seem to be satisfied with our progress or where we are at, yet we know that consistency is key to our success. Consistent use of any of our wellness tools – emotional, physical or spiritual — will quash any doubts about progress. What we consistently do, practice, and believe shapes our wellbeing.

So, for inspiration we asked our colleagues, “What’s in your wellness bag?” What emotional or spiritual practice, physical tip, mental habit or social thing do you do that is close at hand? What do you rely on, consistently use or come back to in order to maintain your wellbeing? What about during those busy times in your life? I started with myself, followed by responses from a couple of my colleagues.

What’s in your Wellness Bag? Provide your list of “must haves” here or email EFAP at ac.pafenull@lmir.enomis and the most creative response will win a $25 gift card to Whole Foods. Cutoff date: May 3rd. The winning list will be announced during Mental Health Week: May 4th to 8th. Note, we will publish first name only or initials but please include contact information for each entry.

Simone’s Wellness Bag (as of today, in no particular order):

1. Water – drink lots
2. Power naps on the weekend to make up for lost sleep during the week
3. Nature baths – yes it is “a thing,” in fact a walk in nature is now prescribed by doctors
4. Mental health check-in (counselling)
5. Friends that can be vulnerable
6. Meditation/yoga/breath work (minimum 11 minutes each, everyday)
7. Sweat using Nike App & Macklemore music
8. Laugh – Current YouTube funny video Jimmy Fallon Bradley Cooper can’t stop laughing [insert link here https://youtu.be/YMvYTUSez_0]
9. Quote: “Obstacles are the way”
10. 80/20 nutrition rule (80% of time eat healthy)

Emma’s Wellness Bag:

1. Start the day off with a bit of music, usually from my top rated list on my iPod
2. A morning workout 2 times a week (I’m working on bringing this up to at least 3)
3. Watch some Michael McIntyre clips on YouTube (this UK comedienne makes me laugh…a lot!)
4. Review a few of my favourite quotes, for instance: “Don’t look back. You’re not going that way”
5. A designated self-care activity once a week (e.g. pedicure)
6. Writing (nurturing/developing my creative side, I always carry a notebook with me)
7. Escape into a book. Trying to take advantage of my local library a bit more
8. Spending some quality time with positive people
9. Ensuring I take a break during my work day
10. Making an effort to learn something new or do something I have never done before

June’s Wellness Bag:

1. Exercise is essential – Taekwondo, walking, biking and yoga (some form of exercise each day on my lunch in the evening etc.)
2. Hot Bath with Epsom salt (or baking soda) and essential oils
3. Journal and memoir writing
4. Arts and Crafts – acrylic painting, water colour pencil crayon drawing, making mosaics and knitting
5. Reading (a must – everyday)
6. Laughing about life with my good friend Vikki
7. Weekly Wednesday evening art date with Janice and Darlene
8. Sunday dinners with family and friends
9. Tea (lots of tea)
10. Eating well most days and plenty of water.