What is Wellness?
What is Well-being? What is everyone going on about...specifically?
Wellness is an active and holistic pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease. It's a continuous, self-directed, and evolving process that aims to achieve one's full potential.
Key aspects of wellness include:
- Holistic Approach: Wellness recognizes that all aspects of a person's life—physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, environmental, and financial—are interconnected and influence overall health.
- Active Pursuit: It emphasizes taking intentional steps and making conscious choices to improve well-being, rather than simply waiting for good health to happen.
- Multiple Dimensions: While physical health (nutrition, exercise, sleep) is a core component, wellness extends to:
- Emotional Wellness: Understanding, managing, and expressing feelings, and coping with life's stresses.
- Intellectual Wellness: Engaging in continuous learning, critical thinking, creativity, and mental stimulation.
- Social Wellness: Building and nurturing meaningful relationships and fostering healthy communication.
- Spiritual Wellness: Finding meaning and purpose in life, aligning with personal values and beliefs.
- Occupational Wellness: Finding satisfaction and purpose in one's work or chosen activities.
- Environmental Wellness: Creating physical and emotional safety in surroundings and respecting the natural environment.
- Financial Wellness: Managing finances effectively to reduce stress and support overall well-being.
- Individual & Dynamic: Wellness is self-defined and can change over time based on life experiences and culture. It's about striving for optimal functioning even when facing challenges.
Prioritizing wellness is crucial because it can:
- Add years to life and improve longevity.
- Enhance quality of life and boost resilience to stress.
- Improve mental clarity, mood, and productivity.
- Reduce the risk of illness and improve recovery.
- Lead to deeper self-understanding and better relationships.
How can I feel less stressed?
A question we have all asked ourselves at one time or another. But what's the answer?
To feel less stressed, focus on both immediate relief and long-term habits.
Quick Stress Reducers:
- Deep Breathing: Slow, deep breaths can quickly calm your nervous system. Try inhaling for 4, holding for 4, and exhaling for 4. Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest, and focus on the rise and fall of your body.
- Mindfulness/Meditation: Focus on the present moment, even for a few minutes. Apps can guide you or close your eyes and listen for the furthest sound you can hear, then the next closest and so on.
- Move Your Body: A quick walk, stretching, or light exercise releases endorphins and shifts your focus.
- Connect with Others: Talk to a trusted friend or family member to share your feelings and gain perspective.
- Take a Break: Step away from the source of stress, even for a few minutes, to clear your head.
- Engage Your Senses: Listen to calming music, try aromatherapy, or give yourself a foot massage.
- OR ALL of the above!
Long-Term Stress Management:
- Regular Exercise: Consistent physical activity significantly reduces stress and improves mood.
- Prioritize Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night by maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Healthy Diet: Eat balanced meals with protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit excessive caffeine and sugar, which can worsen anxiety.
- Time Management: Prioritise tasks, break down large projects, and learn to say "no" to avoid overcommitment.
- Self-Care & Hobbies: Make time for activities you enjoy, whether it's reading, gardening, or a creative pursuit.
- Challenge Negative Thoughts: Recognise and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to stress. A great technique is to 'name your brain'. So when those inevitable thoughts do appear you can say 'not today 'Brian?', we've got this.'
- Seek Support: Don't hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a professional if stress feels unmanageable.
©Copyright. All rights reserved.
We need your consent to load the translations
We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.