Hi, Lake Quivira. I’m Angela Ellis, a Kansas City–based certified health and wellness coach. I’m excited to join you each month in Stroll Lake Quivira with practical ideas and tools to help you feel better and take good care of yourself.

My goal is simple: to be a trusted resource as you work toward feeling your best, inside and out.

With three months left in 2026, it may be tempting to write off the rest of the year. The holidays are coming, life is busy, and January can feel like the natural time for a fresh start.

But before you put your health on hold, imagine going into the holidays feeling stronger, more rested, and more resilient.

You don’t need to overhaul your entire life. You need a clear goal, a few small steps, and support along the way.

The Wellness Wheel is one of the core tools I use with my coaching clients. It offers a simple way to look at six connected parts of whole-person health:

Looking at these areas together can help you see what’s going well and what may need more attention. A lower score is not a failure. It is simply useful information.

Here is a three-step process you can try.

Think about your life as it is today—not the ideal version and not what you think you should be doing.

Rate each area from 0 to 10. A 0 means, “This is not working for me at all right now.” A 10 means, “I am completely satisfied with this part of my life.”

Use these questions to help you:

Nutrition and Lifestyle: How nourished and supported does your body feel each day?

Physical Environment: How well do your home and work spaces support your comfort and calm?

Sleep and Rest: Are you getting enough restorative sleep and real downtime?

Physical Activity and Fitness: Do you feel strong and active? Are you moving regularly?

Fulfillment and Purpose: How connected are you to the people and activities that bring meaning and joy to your life?

Mental and Emotional Well-Being: How steady and supported do you feel? When life gets hard, how well are you able to recover?

Look at your scores. Did anything surprise you?

Choose one or two areas you would most like to improve. They do not have to be your lowest scores. Trust your gut: What feels most important right now?

Next, decide what you want to change. Be specific, and resist the urge to tackle everything at once. Focus makes progress much more manageable.

For example:

Once you choose an area, learn more about it. Read a book, listen to a podcast, or talk with a trusted professional. You might also ask a friend, neighbor, or partner to check in with you. Support can make it easier to follow through.

Break each goal into specific actions you can repeat. Decide when, where, and how you will do them. The better a plan fits your actual life, the more likely you are to keep it.

For example:

Big goals give you direction, but small actions move you forward. You may be surprised by how much can change when you keep taking the next doable step.

Here’s to finishing 2026 stronger and heading into 2027 with greater energy, confidence, and a clear sense of where you want to go. I’m here for you and I’ll be cheering you on! 

For more health and wellness content, follow Angela on Instagram @angela_ellis_coaching and on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/angelaelliscoaching

Here for you,

Angela

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