Well-Being Counseling is a practical, positive, and solution-focused, professional service. It is based on personal choice and responsibility, for realistic, attainable, lasting, and constructive principles of living. Counseling is not about striving for perfection. Well-Being involves more than working on the outer self. Many people hope that working from the outside-in will improve self esteem, and it does, to some extent. What about your inner self?
A common misconception about wellness is that it is focused on physical fitness alone. However, every aspect of ourselves and our lives are inter-related, such as the way we think, learn, work, play, communicate, love, relate, move, eat, and seek life meaning and purpose. A shift in one life aspect affects all others. For example, work stress may affect sexuality; physical environment can either soothe or limit a sense of well-being. In addition to physical health, there are emotional, mental, and spiritual components as well. Inner calm, stabilized mood, and authentic self esteem radiate outwardly.
"What is a 'Well-Being Plan' and why should I have one?"
A Well-Being Plan is a positive, balanced, common sense practice which a person is encouraged to create, in order to take responsibility for personal health and wellness. We do not have to be perfect to be well. Instead, we become aware of choices and decide to act on them. Self-esteem is a critical factor in change.
Life Balance Counseling cultivates YOUR caring enough about yourself to examine your life, make necessary changes, and feel supported in appreciating your strengths and life experiences. Furthermore, a Well-Being Plan is something that is undertaken in order to positively affect not only yourself, but others as well. Ideally, we develop Well-Being philosophies and plans when we are well; the worst time to try and come up with a positive plan is when we are struggling with, say, negative emotions caused or worsened by stress.
"Well-thinking" is a term coined by John W. Travis, M.D. in the Wellness Workbook, "for a response-able and creative means of dealing with counterproductive thinking or worry. Well-thinking includes deciding on a course of action that will move us toward our desired outcome." Communication with positive support people is essential, to assist with clarifying personal values and strategies.
