During my Wednesday wellness show, "Be Well Now," for the Daily Tribune, I asked my guest, the well-respected neurologist Dr. Perry Noble of the Makati Medical Center what true well-being is all about. In a nutshell, he said "When all your senses are engaged physically, mentally and emotionally, every aspect of who you are is attuned. This is wellness."

While it may sound too esoteric, here is how it translates to in practical ways:

Connections
It is important to have connections. Many of us, because of living such busy lives, find ourselves disconnected. The disconnect is from people, social interactions, nature and the simple pleasures of life. For example: You may be so focused on your internet friendships, your social media communication that when there is an opportunity for face-to-face conversations, you may feel awkward, lost or overwhelmed.

10 steps to well-being
1. Relationships. Call a friend. Start with one. Do something together, whether it is meeting up for coffee or a movie. This ought to get you started.
2. Back to school or work. Some are overwhelmed being surrounded by so many people all at once. Take it slowly.
3. Nature walks. Get out there. Go to a park or stroll into a forest reserve. Stay by the sea. Take in all the fresh air. Breathe.
4. Sleep well. There is a science to good sleep. Best time for quality sleep is by 10 p.m. Have seven to eight hours of sleep nightly.
5. Exercise. Stay in a state of motion. Keep moving. Choose your exercise regimen or sport. Whatever it is, stay consistent.
6. Eat healthy. It goes without saying. Giving in to your cravings once in a while is not a crime. Your over-all commitment to eating and drinking healthy is what counts.
7. Stress-busters. One cannot eradicate stress. It is a constant in life. The best way to overcome it is to acknowledge it in order to resolve it. Simple pleasures like dancing, singing, reading, gardening, cooking can become opportunities for releasing stress.  I know of a friend who when in the height of her anxieties starts baking her best cakes at 1 a.m. Only after her masterpieces are done does she finally go back to sleep. Find your creative outlet and allow your artistic juices to flow. There are no hard and fast rules here.
8. Lighten up. Start decreasing your inner load. And this means your emotional baggage. Talk to someone who can guide you through talk therapy. No, you are not crazy for seeking professional help. Everyone needs to disentangle whatever is knotted inside the heart and mind.
9. Be kind to yourself. Go easy on yourself. Try to make yourself your own best friend.
10. Gratitude List. Write down ten things that you are grateful for. If you are honest to yourself, then those blessings in your life will be clear to you. Allow these little gifts of life enlighten your path.
There are so many things you could possibly grateful for. Begin by acknowledging the good things in your life. In this way, you will always look on the bright side despite the presence of any negatives.

The next time you step into a lovely garden or watch a glorious sunset, take a deep breath and smile.

Affirmation: "Each time I smile, the sun shines brighter on me."

Love and light.