Wellness

Wellness (or lack of) is a hot topic now days. Wellness refers to an active state of striving for good mental and physical health. There are many distractions today preventing us from achieving wellness; however, there are behaviors, tips, and techniques you can utilize to achieve wellness between your busy schedule.

Wellness is often depicted as a balanced mental state (emotional, spiritual, social); however, there is a physical-health (exercise/nutrition/sleep and environmental) component that plays a major role and is often overlooked. People who exemplify ideal states of wellness practice self-care, have a sense of well-being, and demonstrate commitment to a healthy lifestyle. When striving for wellness, all components must be accounted for.

Physical-health (our state of health and our environment) plays a major role on mental health. Committing behaviors that nourish and heal our bodies often have a positive effect on mental health. Our bodies crave nutritious food, adequate physical activity, and time to unwind after periods of stress (a busy day). Unwinding can take many forms; however, meditative practices have the most profound effect.

Humans are made to be active and exert energy to achieve their goals. In modern society, the technology and conveniences available often limit the amount of physical activity humans are required to do. Lack of physical activity can make us feel stressed, depressed, and apathetic. There are many ways to be active in a fun way. For example, I personally enjoy mountain biking and rock climbing because these activities are so much fun to do that I find myself committing to doing at least one daily. Additionally, to do these activities well I have to participate in other healthy activities like balanced meals/snacks selection, strength training and regular stretching.

Stress, especially chronic stress, distracts and prevents us from achieving wellness. Chronic stress can lead to sickness, diseases (ex: hypertension, heart disease, obesity), addiction, and mental health disorders (ex: anxiety and/or depression). Limiting stress allows for the ability to focus on what is important. Consistent engagement in meditation, yoga, physical activity, healthy hobbies, and choosing balanced nutrition all can aid in managing stress and aid in striving for wellness. Explore your environment to find opportunities to learn about and participate in healthy behaviors.

Wellness is not a state of achievement; rather, wellness is an active state of striving for a healthy lifestyle and participating in health behaviors. There are both mental and physical aspect of wellness. You can identify healthy behaviors and make changes to jumpstart your wellness journey today! If you have questions about wellness or want to know more about how physical well-being can affect mental well-being, please reach out!