5 Ways To Well with Jenny O'Brien

Bestselling local author Jenny shares her 5 wellbeing essentials.

 

 

1. Prioritising My Health, Not Just How I Look.

Wellness for me isn’t about how I look. It’s mostly about how I feel. Some days that looks like a healthy meal and a walk, other days it means sitting on the sofa with tea on tap and a good book. It’s about balance, not perfection.

 

2. Wordle Wars.

As I get older, I’ve become more aware of keeping my mind as active as my body. Writing historical fiction requires a lot of research, but there’s always more I can do. Wordle is part of that. My family and I have a WhatsApp group where we share our daily scores, and let me tell you, things can get intense – we’re all pretty competitive. It’s a fun way to challenge ourselves, and it always gets the day started with a bit of a laugh. 

 

3. Cold Water Fix.

Every morning, without fail, I start my day with a sea swim with a great group of friends. In the summer, it’s all fun and sunshine, but come winter, let’s just say there’s a lot of screeching involved! The cold takes a little getting used to, but it’s become such a refreshing way to kick off the day, no matter the weather.

 

4. Supplements.

A healthy diet is my main focus, but there are a few supplements I take to support my overall well-being. As I get older, maintaining good bone health has become a priority. I know I should be doing more weight-bearing exercises, but in the meantime, I take a combined Vitamin D and Calcium supplement, along with an Omega-3 capsule. It’s not a substitute for exercise, but it’s a little extra support while I work on building stronger habits.

 

5. The Power of Laughter.

Let’s be honest, there’s not a lot to laugh about right now. When the kids were younger, I introduced the ‘first laugh of the day’. I’d give recognition to whichever child made me laugh first, and thinking of some of those school mornings, some days they had an uphill battle! The power of laughter is well-documented – those endorphins are serious stuff. Now, I make an effort to know what makes me laugh and try to incorporate more of it into my day. It’s amazing how a good chuckle can shift your mood and reset your perspective.