Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes. So instead of just surviving, you're thriving.
Whereas, health refers to a person's mental and physical health.
So you can say that wellness is the action plan for better health.
According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness consists of the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. Wellness is all encompassing, including physical, mental, environmental, social, emotional and spiritual health.
Where are we currently in our wellbeing?
When we are moving through our day do we even consider how our daily choices affect our health?
Are we fully engaged with our wellness? Do we exercise, eat balanced and nutritious meals, deal with our emotional baggage properly, and engage in healthy relationships?
Are we partially engaged with our wellness? We may participate in healthy choices only when we feel like it. Or we may focus on only one area of our health (ex. exercising).
Are we in denial, consciously or unconsciously? We flow through life eating whatever, doing whatever, experiencing whatever not really thinking about the outcome.
Or do we fall somewhere in between all three?
Wherever we fall, our daily choices have a cumulative effect on our long term health. This is really difficult to hear and it's even more difficult to understand that the ball has always been and will always be in our court.
The key to wellness is to accept personal responsibility for your health and wellbeing.
With today's advanced medical technology and drugs, it has become easier to say, I'm not worried about it since the medical field has a fix for any of my future health issues. But that is insanity. Who wants to spend time, money, and energy, and experience pain and emotional upheaval on doctors visits, tests, surgery and/or prescription drugs?
My favorite quote is, You are born with one body, use it wisely. It is not replaceable like the newest handbag or car. This is it. What you have right now needs to last.
I have definitely not been perfect over the years. I've had my ups and downs since I was little. I loved food during my elementary school years, 20's and also during my pregnancies. I also had periods where all I did was sit all day, had zero exercise, watched hours of TV and feasted on daily drama. But at some point my body (and mind) let me know when it was time to get myself in gear, to make healthy choices. I'm thankful for that.
Are excuses holding us back?
I can't eat healthy it's too expensive.
Illness is far more expensive.
I don't have the expertise or time to cook healthy.
Healthy meals don't need to be complicated. Simple works too. The key is to plan ahead for the week.
I don't have time to exercise
Everyone has time available to exercise. Look at your daily schedule. See what no longer serves you. Replace it with exercise. Start out small but be consistent. Schedule it into your day.
I need to watch a few hours of TV to relax at night
There are so many other activities that can help you relax. How about a bubble bath, journaling, reading, walking, listening to music or podcast, or talking to your best friend?
Getting started
Implementing healthy choices into your lifestyle should be done in baby steps. Otherwise it can be overwhelming and your less likely to be consistent or continue. Choose one area, physical, mental, social, environmental, or emotional, to focus on.
Even with implementing a healthy lifestyle there are no guarantees in life. But establishing a healthy foundation at least gives you a fighting chance. And who knows? You may actually gain so much more in energy, passion, sleep habits, positivity and new hobbies!
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