There are many things you can do to develop a healthy lifestyle. Make sure you include total wellness to improve your overall well-being.
Health is a concern for all of us.
We want to be healthy, and we wish the same for those close to us.
After facing life threatening situations, one starts valuing the absence of disease even more than ever.
But is it all that really matters?
Wellness beyond health
Let’s be sincere, not being homesick is just one of the wishes we have.
We also want to be able to perform activities on a regular basis that bring us joy, fulfillment and peace.
When it comes to health, there are things we aren’t able to control.
Certain diseases and conditions may be associated with genetics or influenced by the environment.
Still, it does not mean that you should leave your welfare to fate.
To develop optimal mental and physical health you must take responsibility for your well-being.
That is when wellness comes to play.
How to improve your lifestyle with wellness. #coaching #mentorship #MindfulPlanning Click To TweetThe definition
According to The World Health Organization wellness is:
“…a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.“
Wellness goes way beyond health as we define it.
It’s about the human being as a whole. Their physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual state.
How many times have you felt unwell because of stress-related causes while you were not sick?
It’s a typical example of being healthy, but still not enjoying wellness.
The difference
Have you ever seen a parent throwing a party while one of their kids is ill?
Why does it happen?
Because unless the entire family is well, there’s no reason to celebrate.
The same goes for us.
To enjoy our existence in full, we must be well: body, mind and soul.
You can exercise as much as you want, but if your eating patterns don’t change, your progress will be little to none.
Likewise, you may eat only healthy foods and work out on a regular basis and still be stressed and bad-humored.
How do you think you will feel at the end of the day? Happy and energized? Or depressed and depleted?
Discover why you need wellness to enjoy life in full. #coaching #mentorship #MindfulPlanning Click To TweetThe decision
No matter what step you need to take to improve your wellness, it must start with the decision of making lifestyle changes.
In general, we’re more focused on treating what isn’t well than preventing it.
It’s necessary to shift this mindset first.
The perception that we’re only our body has to make room for a more holistic approach.
You may read all the “right” books about self-development, attend the most expensive seminars or hire the most prestigious coach to help you.
Unless you make the decision yourself and take commitment, you won’t see the desired results.
The new way of living
It’s necessary to decide on implementing a healthy lifestyle.
You need to set an action plan that isn’t only focused in isolated habits.
Physical
Exercising is without a doubt key to a balanced lifestyle.
Some may argue that certain activities involving risk(s) aren’t good for the well-being.
Yet, when you put your body into motion, you improve your physical wellness.
If you have never done any kind of physical activity (in a long time) before anything you need to:
- Consult your health-care provider: I know I write this every single time, but it’s just because it’s THAT important. During the appointment, mention your interest in training and ask their opinion.
- Hire a Personal Trainer: you’ll find great sites with videos and descriptions of exercises. Yet, they won’t be able to assess your current fitness level (obviously!!!). Many sports injuries can be prevented by something as simple as performing exercises with proper form. Investing in a Personal Trainer is investing in yourself.
Social
We interact with other individuals all the time.
We do it at:
- Home with other family members.
- School with classmates and teachers.
- Work with colleagues, superiors, and clients.
We also have the opportunity to communicate during social events and sportive activities.
Communication also happens in the virtual world.
Such interactions and, the way we establish and develop contact with others, form the interpersonal dimension of wellness.
How good are your communication skills? Are you able to maintain long-lasting relationships?
The way you deal with social interactions can help you assess your emotional (and sometimes physical) state.
Emotional
How would you answer the following questions:
- What is the image you have of yourself?
- How confident are you in your skills?
- How would you describe your self-esteem: low or high?
- Are you able to put yourself in someone’s place and understand their feelings?
At different levels, we’re challenged emotionally every day.
The way we react and deal with the situations presented to us is what makes the difference.
It isn’t that emotionally strong people are cold.
On the contrary, people who fail to express their feelings and who have difficulty in trusting others tend to be the weakest.
Their fear of getting hurt make them build walls around themselves.
Instead of dealing with emotions, they stay away from them altogether.
Mental
Throughout the years, body and mind started to be treated as separate entities.
This duality forces us to deal with our thoughts and their results apart from who we are as a whole.
Life experiences along with traditional educational form the mental, or intellectual dimension of wellness.
We exercise our body to keep the muscles of our body healthy.
But those who exercise their intellect by learning new things and challenging their mind are also contributing to their mental wellness.
Spiritual
Have in mind that spiritual wellness isn’t necessarily related to religion.
Some people may feel inclined to see it this way because of their owns beliefs.
However, spiritual health, in fact, englobes compassion, forgiveness and the sense of purpose and meaning in life.
Certain practices can help you stay in the present moment.
Meditation is an accessible means to develop mindfulness.
Other examples are yoga, Tai Chi, and Reiki.
Caring about wellness
It’s important to take care of one’s health, but don’t neglect the other dimensions of your well-being.
The absence of disease is without a doubt a blessing, but to thoroughly enjoy wellness you also need to take care of all its aspects:
- Physical
- Social
- Emotional
- Mental
- Spiritual
Before you go
Can you answer the following question in the comments below, please?
How optimal is your lifestyle? How important is wellness to you?
