Tis’ the season to kick the couch blues and get back into shape! April is the best time to get your summer body back, and it just so happens to be physical wellness month. So kick those workouts into high gear, but also make sure you’re taking the proper care of your body for optimal health and functioning. There is more to physical wellness than just a toned bod, overall physical wellness comes from the balance of physical activity, nutrition and mental well-being. As you become conscious of your own physical health, you are able to identify elements you are successful in, as well as becoming aware of what you would like to improve. Obtaining an optimal level of physical well-being lets you nurture personal responsibility for your own health. Here is a list incorporating the elements of wellness with ways you can keep your mind and body in healthy balance.
Social Wellness comes from the ability to connect with other people in the world. Its important to maintain positive relationships with family, friends and even co- workers to reach a positive level of social health. Surround yourself with people who have similar interests and hobbies, or become an active member of the community. Positive reinforcements and positive relationships are beneficial to your health and those around you.
To understand ourselves and cope with challenges that life can bring is Emotional Wellness. The ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness or stress; hope, love, joy and happiness in a productive manner is crucial when it comes to keeping an affirmative lifestyle. Being aware and in touch with feelings increases confidence and keeps stress levels down. Don’t Worry, Be Happy!
Spiritual Wellness is the ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives. It is to develop congruency between values and actions and realize a common purpose. Stand up for what you believe in, and be confident in your decisions. If you’re passionate about something, and if it makes you happy, do it! Don’t be afraid to take chances, be true to yourself and you will have no regrets.
By recognizing your own responsibility for the quality of the air, water, and land that surrounds you, this is Environmental Wellness. The ability to make a positive impact on the quality of the environment in our homes, in our community and our planet is truly the first step to achieving your environmental wellness.
Our desire to contribute in our careers to make a positive impacts on the organizations we work in and to society as a whole is Occupational Wellness. Our personal fulfillment from our jobs, or career fields while maintaining balance in our lives is important to our mental health. Sometimes what we don’t realize is that most of us spend a majority of our time at work, so it’s beneficial to do something you love and make a positive impact in your life and the lives of others around you.
Intellectual Wellness is the ability to open our minds to new ideas and experiences that can be applied to personal decisions, group interaction and community betterment. The desire to learn new concepts, improve skills and seek challenges in pursuit of lifelong learning will help keep your mind fresh and allow you to transcend stress and boredom.
To achieve Physical Wellness is to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get through our day to day activities without fatigue or physical stress. The ability to recognize that our behaviors have significant impact on our wellness is important in order to listen and understand our bodies. If ever you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a minute to address what may be the cause and find a positive counteraction to resume a healthy lifestyle.
