Let's start with defining Wellness.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.
Wellness is an individual pursuit and if we take the above and look deeper, wellness is an “active pursuit” that is associated with intentions, choices and actions we as individuals work toward for an optimal state of health and wellbeing. Wellness is also linked to holistic health, which goes far beyond physical health.
Wellness is multidimensional - Wellness isn't only about body composition and physical health. You'll find that most models of wellness include at least six dimensions some even 12, however we are focusing on the following 6: Environmental - Physical - Social - Spiritual - Emotional - Mental
If we look at key areas of our daily lifestyles, you will find that many make up the dimensions of overall wellness: social connectedness, exercise, nutrition, sleep and mindfulness, making up the 6 Pillars.
If we look at the World Health Organization (WHO), on defining health as being “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”
Ensuring we stay 'healthy' we have to actively take time to work on the individual wellness elements to ensure we are at optimal health.
Physical: Maintaining a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, trying to avoid any bad habits.
Mental: Engaging the world through learning, problem-solving, creativity,
Emotional: Being aware of, accepting and expressing our feelings, and understanding the feelings of others.
Spiritual: Searching for meaning and higher purpose in human existence.
Social: Connecting and engaging with others and our communities in meaningful ways.
Environmental: Fostering positive interrelationships between planetary health and human actions, choices and wellbeing.
Can we say to ourselves that our wellness is aligned and balanced? For many, we are starting a journey to fulfill our mission, to achieve optimal wellness. Everyone's journey is different, however what is the same is the steps we take to achieving this.
By making healthy choices on a daily basis, small changes to our normal routines, changing our habits and creating new habits, working on each dimension a day at a time, you will soon see positive effects within each pillar.
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