Welcome to Day 1 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! Fresh from the launch of Live Well with Cancer’s #W9AD sessions, it is my honour and privilege to begin this journey with you and help you get the most out of The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal. In today’s blog, I would like to share the story of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day and help you get started on your journey towards transformed wellbeing.
W9AD: The Origins
After putting on a few pounds and picking up some bad habits during the pandemic, I set to work creating a system that I could use to improve my health and wellbeing. Evidence of the W9AD dates back to 6th March 2021, when on that fateful day I wrote “Job List” at the top of a page in a notebook. My first job? Haircut. Other tasks included ‘Do dishes’, ‘Watch AEW Dynamite’, and ‘Ring my mam’, all of which I completed successfully.
I continued with my daily job list and found that a few habits kept repeating. On 5th April, The Wellbeing 5-a-Day was born. Despite the name, this first version included six habits; namely, Fitness, Presence, Learn, Gratitude, Something for Me, and Abstain. I am pleased to say that I was off to a good start and all of these habits still remain, albeit under different names.
As my journey continued, I found that the six habits masquerading as 5-a-Day were not enough. I needed ten habits masquerading as 9-a-Day instead! What is more, I found that I could make each of the habits rhyme – Participate, Meditate, Hydrate, Masticate, Activate, Educate, Appreciate, Communicate, Allocate, and Confiscate.
As much as I liked the idea (and challenge) of finding nine rhyming words that could communicate each meaning clearly, I eventually abandoned the pursuit, and we settled on the Wellbeing 9-a-Day as it is today.
Your Journey, Your Fitness, Your Relationships
When considering the W9AD, it is helpful to split the nine habits into three groups.
The first focuses on Your Journey in life. By Setting Goals for a brighter future, Being Mindful in the present, and Letting Go of bad habits from the past, you keep yourself on the right path, or you at least aim for it.
The next group focuses on Your Fitness for your journey ahead. By Exercising your body, Learning to expand your mind, and Appreciating your emotions, you are better able to take on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The final group focuses on Your Relationships with your diet, your body, and the people around you. By Nourishing yourself with a healthy diet, Self-caring by looking after your body, and Connecting with others, you build and maintain meaningful relationships that benefit your overall health and wellbeing.
I am so grateful that you have joined me for Day 1 of this challenge. Over the coming days and weeks, I will go into more detail about each of the W9AD and how we can build the daily habits that form the basis of a healthy, purposeful lifestyle.
Call to Action!
Start your journey towards transformed wellbeing with The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal!
You can buy your copy at https://www.livewellwithcancer.co.uk/product-page/wellbeing-9-a-day-journal.
Alternatively, Live Well with Cancer has a limited number of free copies available to people affected by cancer. You can register your interest in their trial by emailing livewellwithcancer@gmail.com.
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This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
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