Pivot from languishing to thriving

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou

Welcome to the Wells Performance Newsletter for April 2023. This year our focus will be on helping you to get flourishing and thriving by sharing health, wellbeing and peak performance science and strategies that you can easily add to your life!

In highly stressful situations, or even under the pressures of daily life, some of us crumble or merely survive while others thrive. These pressures can be occupational, familial, financial, social, or health-related, and they can have damaging consequences on our overall health and wellbeing.

I want you to thrive and flourish.

So, what does it mean to thrive?

Let’s start with a conceptual definition of thriving and what it entails. Over the past few decades, many researchers have worked to pinpoint thriving, and two common themes have emerged: development and success. Development refers to progression in physical (e.g., learning to play a sport), psychological (e.g., learning coping strategies), and social (e.g., making new friends) abilities, while success refers to achievements and positive outcomes (e.g., health, test scores, wealth).

Thriving can therefore be defined as “the joint experience of development and success.” But how do we achieve this state?

I think the answer is to focus on health, wellbeing and personal excellence. I don’t think we can be excellent at all times (nor do I think that is a healthy objective). However, by striving to reach our potential we can move slowly and consistently move toward flourishing and thriving more often.

There are many practices that can help people thrive and flourish. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Exercise and eat a healthy diet: Taking care of your physical health is important for overall well-being. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help improve mood, increase energy levels, and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.
2. Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for physical and mental health. Make sure to get enough sleep each night to feel rested and refreshed.
3. Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of bringing your attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help reduce stress and improve well-being.
4. Cultivate positive relationships: Strong social connections with family and friends can provide support, reduce stress, and improve mental health.
5. Engage in activities that bring you joy: Pursue hobbies and activities that you enjoy and that bring you a sense of fulfillment.
6. Find purpose and meaning in life: Having a sense of purpose and meaning in life can be a source of motivation and satisfaction. Consider what matters most to you and how you can align your actions with your values and goals.
7. Seek professional help if needed: If you are struggling with mental health issues or other challenges, it can be helpful to seek support from a mental health professional.

Sometimes it is the simple things that seem too basic or obvious to make a big difference. But these are simple ideas that are powerful if you practice them consistently over time. Start small, follow the 1% principle and be consistent and you will see dramatic improvements in your health, wellbeing and ability to perform to your potential more often.

If you want to learn more about thriving, I cover that topic in detail in my new book Powerhouse: Protect Your Energy, Optimize Your Health and Supercharge Your Performance.

Our VIIVIO health and performance app is designed to send you daily 1% Tips that can help you thrive in all aspects of your life. You can check out VIIVIO here.

We hope this information helps you get some perspective about thrive practices that lead you to an upward spiral of wellness!

Have a great month!