How do you define wellness?
Wellness has been a trending topic with recommendations ranging from health focused celebrities sharing how to achieve peak wellness by steaming your intimates, attending luxurious detox or health clinics, or juicing your way to better health delivered in a crystal embedded reusable glass water bottle.
Wellness is a key ingredient in everyone’s life, but what is it exactly though?
The World Health Organization (WHO) says that wellness isn't just about the absence of disease but is also about living life more fully: including optimal health, emotional and social well-being. Let’s dive into the dimensions of wellness together...
Physical wellness- healthy body
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live in.” - Jim Rohn
Physical wellness is all about your body: fueling with balanced nutrition and fluids; maintaining a healthy weight, staying active and challenging your heart and your muscles.
You may already have some ingredients of a wellness routine built around you:
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Making conscious food choices… yes, we are all human, the occasional sweet is great!
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Jumping on the smoothie train and now testing recipes to appease all the opinions in your house
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Joining an online exercise group during the pandemic to keep your body moving and blood flowing… are you still doing it?
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Downloading that meditation app always advertised on your phone
Status Check: Can you maintain a healthy quality of life to get the most out of your day without unnecessary fatigue or stress?
Mental wellness - engaging with the world
“I’m not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship” - Louisa May Alcott
Mental wellness encompasses your ability to think, feel and act in ways that create a positive impact on different types of wellbeing including physical and social wellbeing. See…it’s all connected.
Mental wellness booster tips:-
Sleep! We all feel best when we rest.
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Stay active…enjoy moving with others! It’s a two for one!
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Try something new…work the brain muscles.
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Generosity…do something for others. It can be as simple as inviting a friend for tea or offering to help them with a small task that may be hard for them, but easy for you.
Status check: Can you form and maintain good relationships with others? Are you interested in learning new topics?
Emotional wellness - awareness, feelings, expressions
“The chains on my mood swing just snapped. Run” - Unknown
Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life's stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.
Tips for nurturing your emotional wellness:
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How can you be empathetic with others?
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Be realistic about expectations and timings – don’t be shy…know when to ask for help.
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Find someone you feel comfortable with to share your feelings.
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Make “me time” or whatever really allows you to relax.
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Do not feel guilty to say no. You don’t have to do it all.
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Try a new tool to manage stress. How about controlling your breath in these times when your heart rate starts to rise!
Status check: Can you feel, express and manage both positive and negative emotions? Are you confident with yourself?
Social wellness - connections, interactions, contributions and work purpose
“When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘we’ even ‘illness’ becomes ‘wellness’” - Malcolm X
Social wellness is how you connect and develop relationships with your community and the people around you and how involved you are in your community and it’s improvements.
Tips for upping your social wellness game:
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Try to make connections based on your hobbies, family and values in your community
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Don’t be shy, ask for help as well as reach out to help others
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Get organized
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Pick a hobby and stay committed, it pays off!
Status check: Do you balance social and personal time? Are you engaged with people in your community outside of your family?
Spiritual wellness- meaning and purpose
“Spiritual health is the path to inner peace regardless of the turmoil around you“ - Unknown
Spiritual wellness involves seeking and having a meaning and purpose in life and participating in activities that are aligned with your beliefs and values.
How to boost your spiritual wellness:
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Actively stop and consciously explore your spiritual core: what gives you meaning and purpose?
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Look for deeper meaning
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Think positively – say what you are grateful for out loud or journal
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Take quiet time –meditation/prayer/personal reflection
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Choose your activities - try to align them with what brings you joy and purpose
Status check: Is there a direct relationship between your personal values and daily actions? Is taking daily quiet reflection time important to you? Are you able to speak comfortably about your values and beliefs? Do you have strong sense of hope and optimism in your life?
Environmental wellness– being respectful of our surroundings
“Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
Environmental wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings and taking accountability and responsibility for doing our part, even if it is small.
The word “Environment” not only includes our natural environment like air, nature, climate, but also social like judging others, bullying, equality; and built-up environments meaning proximity to resources and living conditions.
Tips to enhance your environmental wellness:
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Check your home: are you conscious of the chemicals you use (i.e. cleaning supplies)
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Stay safe during hot weather and guard against cold temperatures
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Say indoors when the outdoor air quality is not optimal.
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Be the best version of you! Treat everyone the way you want to be treated!
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It’s okay to make mistakes! Take responsibility for your actions.
Status check: Are you respectful, inclusive, kind and supportive to others? Are you aware of your surroundings and the impact of your decisions? Do you actively work to improve your community?
Road to wellness...
There are many roads to wellness.....it is a personalized journey that everyone must create a path that works for them. Celebrate and share your strengths. You are here with a purpose! Don’t be shy to acknowledge a weakness and set a goal. Little by little we can all take steps to improve ourselves and our surroundings.
There’s no magic pill for wellness. The backbone of what keeps us healthy has not really changed over time: "the dose makes the poison" -Paracelsus. Moderation is key in all areas of our lives like sleep, food choices, exercise, human contact, giving time to others, taking time for yourself, work life balance…
What are some realistic ways to enhance your happiness and wellbeing? Do you have a wellness routine? Have you tried or considered CBD to bring you back to wellness?
Disclaimer:
These statements are summarized from peer reviewed published scientific literature; however, have not been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Always consult your personal care physician about CBD and using CBD products. CBD products should never be used by anyone under the age of 18, those that are pregnant or nursing. The contents of this blog are not intended to provide legal advice regarding the legal status of CBD and CBD products.
Photos by Rebeca Gonçalves, SHVETS production, Marta Wave, Thirdman, Rachel Claire, Anna Shvets, RODNAE Productions, Darwis Alwan from Pexels
