Body, mind, and soul. We hear those words tangled together like a ball of yarn, and accept them as one. And yet, so many of us only take care of one piece of ourselves and let the rest slide. When it comes to your total well-being, your self-care habits should account for each of these.

I know it can be difficult when unforeseen circumstances throw you a curve ball, such as hearing a health diagnosis you weren’t expecting. Growing older and inching closer to senior life, there will be challenges along the way, but there are many things still within your control.

I find that the key to a well-lived and well-loved life is balance.

Balance plays a vital role in everything we do, whether it’s in choosing healthy food, finding ways to focus or relax, or simply taking time to have fun.

How are you balancing these areas?

• Clean eating
• Exercise
• Mindfulness
• Relaxation
• Focus
• Creativity
• Happiness

Let’s talk about clean eating. While it’s important to choose nutrient-rich foods in your day to day life, it’s also important to let go of things your body doesn’t need, like excess sugar, fake foods (think chemicals), or empty calories. By adapting to clean eating, you’ll help your body both look and feel better.

Do you exercise on a regular basis? It’s essential for many reasons, such as helping to improve your circulation, building muscle strength, as well as helping you have a clearer mind and avoiding mood swings. Strength training is a great activity, especially as we age and naturally lose muscle tone.

When it comes to mindfulness, many people overlook this area of their lives. Here are a few ways to practice mindfulness—take a nature walk, take the afternoon off, get a massage, or kick back and do nothing if you prefer. I find that mindfulness is as vital as any other aspect of wellness.

Relaxation seems like it would be easy to do, but it can be hard for people to wind down if they’re always on the go or focused on taking care of others. Consider simple habits such as quieting the mind, meditation, reading a book, going out to lunch with a good friend, or deep breathing.

When you slow down, it allows you the chance to focus. This deep mind work is not only fulfilling, but it’s also good to keep your brain active. Try learning something new, plan a trip, or research your ancestors.

When we focus, it can help release the creativity that’s deep within us. Taking time to be creative is wonderful. It’s fun and allows us to be self-reflective, express ourselves, and play. Consider creating visual art, take an improv class, write in a journal, or take up a craft or hobby.

Lastly, happiness starts inside and then spreads to those around you. Take time to smile at everyone you encounter, be of service to someone, love yourself, and focus on happy, uplifting thoughts.