6 Ways This Functional Medicine Expert Supports His Well-Being — Beyond Diet & Exercise

In my years of clinical experience, I have learned there is more than just a science to wellness; there is an art, as well. Now, I see wellness in a whole new light—here are some ways I've learned to redefine the concept:

Do yourself a favor and do a brain dump every time those negative thoughts or memories come knocking: Write everything down on a piece of paper, tear it up, and create a beautiful, clean space to take your life to the next level. 

We, as humans, have energy exchanges all day, every day. The people we interact with—in person; on the phone; via text, email, social media, or even glances on the street—can all affect our mood, thought process, and trajectory for the day. It's important to create healthy boundaries, wherever possible, with people who try to pull others into their negativity.

Who you are and what you stand for develops over the course of your life, through experiences and relationships. During that journey, you will likely come across people who have opinions on how you should be, what you should wear, and what you should believe. When growing through that process, receiving unsolicited criticism from a person who holds no real place in your life (cough *social media trolls* cough) is the last thing you need to be doing. Sometimes wellness looks like asking yourself three simple questions:

This quick mental checklist puts words and opinions into perspective, revealing what should hold weight in your life and what should not. This simple process serves as a reminder that while constructive criticism, when coming from the right person, can help us become better versions of ourselves—in other cases, it's best to let words roll off of you.

Sometimes wellness looks like staying calm and choosing to decline the invitation to an argument that would be an exercise in futility. In these situations, silence and stillness can oftentimes say more—and will be more effective–than endless hours of effort that go nowhere and leave you feeling drained.

Sometimes wellness looks like sending certain people to the exit door. In some cases, before fully cutting the relationship, try setting boundaries first. However, if that fails, it's time to say goodbye to toxicity.

Here are a few other examples that may bring some joy into your routine:

Let this be your reminder that supporting your health and well-being can take many forms. While diet, movement, and daily care practices can be beneficial—be sure to protect your mind and soul, as well.