Wellness can be defined as “the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as the result of deliberate effort.” I believe each of us has a great amount of control over our day to day health and wellbeing.

What we eat, how we move, even what we think all have a direct effect on how we feel physically and mentally. When we eat nutritionally dense, health-promoting foods we are actively strengthening our immune system. We’re positively affecting our bodies at the cellular level to help protect us from disease. Food should be considered our medicine and vegetables disease preventers.

There’s no guarantee, of course, but eating nutritionally dense whole foods at least 80% of the time helps us to feel energized and think more clearly. I eat the best foods available to me so I’ll feel and look my best every day. If I remain disease free and live a long life I’ll consider that a bonus!

In our busy, fast paced 24-7 world it’s hard to find time for ourselves. But when we carve out even 30 minutes a day to move our bodies we reap almost immediate benefits. Exercise helps reduce our stress levels, promotes good sleep, keeps our bones and muscles strong, helps us achieve our ideal weight, enhances our cognitive ability and lifts our spirits. I believe exercise is the best, all-natural mood enhancer known to man. I am a big fan of outdoor exercise because it help us connect with nature.

Mental wellness is an equally important contributor to our wellbeing. Practicing mindfulness helps us appreciate our lives and can bring us closer to inner peace and contentment. The combination of eating healthfully, exercising regularly in a way we enjoy and living each day consciously will help us achieve total body wellness; we’ll continue our journey to become the best possible version of ourselves and hopefully afford us long and healthy lives.

Challenge yourself to be your best self: Register for the BbG Total Wellness Challenge today! TWC starts Monday, 2/22. Learn more and register here.