The Wellbeing 5 Project
Dawn Arda
Science Research Writer
The Physical Wellbeing 5
5 Simple Questions to help with physical wellbeing with answers from Experts, Thought Leaders, Campaigners & Advocates
Dawn Arda
Dawn is a science research writer focussing on the areas of health and nutrition. She attended the University of Cambridge and studied Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering to PhD level.
Dawn’s aim is to make science more accessible to the general public and to help share information about healthy eating. Dawn worked as a research analyst at an innovation consultancy for 10 years. Her research has covered a variety of topics such as food, health, consumer goods, sustainability and materials such as polymers.
Dawn is currently researching and completing a book on Healthy Eating, a guide to improving health and preventing disease through diet.
Find out more about Dawn here
The Physical Wellbeing 5 with Dawn Arda
1. What is your favourite quote, anecdote, proverb or experience that helps with physical wellbeing?
Dawn: “You cannot always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.”
~ Wayne Dyer
I think this quote is particularly apt at the moment during the pandemic. There’s so much uncertainty and so many things are out of our hands. However we can control what we feed our bodies and our minds, how well we look after ourselves and look out for others.
2. What is your top piece of advice for physical wellbeing?
Dawn: It’s hard to come up with just one thing as our physical wellbeing is dependant on a number of important factors – nutrition, physical activity, adequate rest, good relationships and a sense of purpose to name a few.
In addition, a healthy mindset – cultivating positivity and optimism, also feeds into our physical wellbeing. So my top piece of advice would be to find things that bring you joy and laughter and do lots of them!
3. What is the one change in the world that you would like to see? (in your area of wellbeing or in the world in general or both)
Dawn: I’d like to see more tolerance, understanding and less judgement of others. Being open to others’ ideas and different opinions, and supporting each other in kindness and understanding, we can help each other to grow.
4. Which resources (books / websites / videos etc) for physical wellbeing would you recommend?
Dawn:
Books:
Andrew Weil’s – Eating Well for Optimum Health
Patrick Holford’s – The Optimum Nutrition Bible
Michael Mosley’s – The Clever Guts Diet
Websites:
5. What’s the one thing that always makes you smile?
Dawn: Seeing my husband letting our daughter win at Scrabble and watching him play with the cat.
One bonus question, Is there anything else pertinent you would like to add to the conversation?
Dawn: Finding healthy foods, recipes and physical activities we really enjoy is a good way to boost our physical wellbeing in a way that’s more likely to be sustainable.
A balanced diet with everything in moderation and a good diversity of foods is key. Extreme diets for weight loss rarely work in the long term and can sometimes do more harm than good. It’s always important to remember the joys of eating, and that it’s what we eat 80% of the time that makes the difference. So there’s no need to feel guilty about enjoying the occasional treat!
Further Exploration - Dawn Arda
Article: Healthy Eating for the Brain and Mental Health
Dawn's article discussing how to support the brain and mental health through diet.
Article: Healthy Eating in the Wake of Lockdown
Dawn's article detailing what we can do to protect our health and immune system as we emerge from lockdown following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Social Media - Follow Dawn below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews Below
More Physical Wellbeing 5 Interviews
With answers from experts, thought leaders, advocates and campaigners to help with physical wellbeing