Rituals for rejuvenation: area experts share their simple truth for achieving mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.

You know what they say: "Imitation is the highest form of flattery," meaning the writers of the popular sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live understood the power of personal introspection on the path toward wellness when they created their recurring character Stuart Smalley. Even if you've never watched the program, it would be hard to avoid him: a caricature of a man seeking mental and emotional clarity in his life. After all, the success of the character spawned a novel and audiobook that banked on his catch phrase "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!"

While the parody did as parodies do and overexaggerated the behaviors of someone on a quest to better themselves, it did get one thing right: there are actions and rituals a person can take to improve their health and well-being.

So, if repeating Staurt's phrase over and over in your head doesn't seem to make any difference, don't worry. New Life Journal has asked area emotional health professionals and spiritual leaders to share their top tip for achieving mental, emotional and/or spiritual wellness. Whether you hope to reduce stress or gain a greater appreciation of yourself and the world around you, we're sure you'll find a practical idea and solution here to integrate into your daily routine.

Nightly Gratitudes

One powerful exercise to increase mental, emotional and spiritual health is the Nightly Gratitudes Exercise. At the end of each day, take a few minutes to write down three to five things in your life for which you have gratitude or thankfulness. Find a journal or notepad for this exercise and continue it nightly for at least three weeks. By the end of that time, you may notice that you are approaching life slightly differently, looking for the things that fill you with that positive sense of gratitude. In three weeks, most people feel an increase in joy, happiness and life satisfaction.

--Janet Slack, life coach, Life Adventure Coaching, Hendersonville NC

Present Pauses

We all complain there aren't enough hours in the day, but if we begin to add "present pauses," we will begin to notice how we might need to make different choices. If we pause before we speak, we might become kinder in our words, if we pause before buying, we might choose not to buy and learn to simplify. If we can pause throughout our day, we can become more appreciative of the small beauties around us. And, when we become more appreciative, we become more generous and concerned for the well-being of others. It could look like this: at the end of this paragraph, put the magazine down. Whether you're sitting or standing, completely stop, and for three to five seconds notice every sound around you. No other thoughts. Eventually, you might like these "present pauses" so much that they naturally begin to stretch longer, until you begin to seek out a regular time everyday to be still and present--a meditation practice. Being present is a wonderful gift we can give outlives in this fast-paced, overly techno world.

--Stephanie Keach, yoga instructor, Asheville Yoga Center, Asheville NC

Get Moving

Exercise is the one thing that promotes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness. The key is to find what you love to do and then do it. For some it is working outside in the garden, and for others it's hiking, riding a bicycle, swimming in the ocean or going to the gym. Exercise improves mental outlook by relieving depression and anxiety and promoting a ,sense of well-being. It changes body chemistry to alkaline, helps with detoxification and glucose metabolism, and improves sleep. It is the best anti-aging remedy that exists!

--Deborah Love, RN, ND and master fitness trainer, Health Flow, Asheville NC

Accepting Change

If we want to grow, we must change. If we want to stay the same, we cannot grow. When we take a step towards allowing something wonderful to manifest, at first we are happy. Then, we think, "I will not be the same anymore, something will be different, my life will change," and we draw back out of fear. The Buddha's meditation technology deconstructs the notions about ourselves and the world around us that keep us stuck in unbeneficial and unwholesome states of mind. So, correct meditation technique is important. But, inseparable from practice is the determination to be open to change. This takes the courage of a warrior.

--Ven. Pannavati Bhikshuni, Co-Abbot, Embracing Simplicity Hermitage, Hendersonville NC