Wellbeing begins with a humble question—what can I do to feel balanced and content? Wellbeing or wellness is so much more than only being physical healthy, exercise or nutrition. It is the total integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Wellbeing occurs when all the body processes, physical and mental are functioning at peak levels. Or as the World Health Organization states: "...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
So, what does it take to achieve complete wellness? It requires more than simply taking a trip to the gym or a walk in the park. Personal wellbeing is a life-long journey.The many benefits of being well make our lives more enriched and easier to live. We are able to reap the benefits of well thought out plans of diet and exercise many years into our life, just because we have taken the time to remain well and fit.
Occupational wellbeing looks the work you choose to do, how it contributes to your community and fulfills you while maintaining balance in your life. The aspiration to have positive effect on the organizations we work in, steers us to occupational well-being. To many people, work becomes a genuine source of enjoyment. Work no longer appears as the thief of our free time, it becomes an old friend that we are accustomed to visiting with. It can become a reason to continue to get up and go about our day. It is so important for your complete well-being to do what you love and to love what you do.
Intellectual Wellness is being open to new ideas, thinking critically, and seeking out new challenges. It is being creative, curious, and engaging in lifelong learning. The mental capacity for continued learning, teaching, and experiencing is a direct result of our efforts to keep our selves mentally well, and fit for the opportunities and activities that present themselves over the course of our life.
What about the physical benefits of continued wellness? The peace of mind that comes from knowing your body is in top shape, ready to deal whatever comes along, is a priceless possession. To be able to ascertain that you’ve spent your day wisely, and invested in yourself is a real accomplishment. Did you know that spending just 30 minutes exercising 3 times a week can raise your IQ, relieve stress, make you happier and more productive, and boost your energy levels? Even climbing steps continuously for 10 minutes daily can make your live longer by 2-3 years!
Social well-being refers our relationships, how we interact and connect with our community and the people around us. Being human means that we are social animal and as such we have an inborn need to be involved with others. Strong family ties, friendships, and involvement in social activities can increase our sense of wellbeing and self-regard and offer a psychological shield against depression, anxiety and stress. Social wellbeing includes forming healthy, nurturing and supportive relationships along with nurturing sincere connections with those around us.
Spirituality is your sense of place and reason for being. It is how you create meaning out of what happens to you. It is a universal as well as a highly personal experience. Most of us have at some time sensed a profound connection to something greater than ourselves, the way that we experience this connection is influenced by several factors, such as our personal experiences, culture and where and when we are in our lives. Spirituality is broader than religion, but are strongly related. Both offer questions and answers about the infinite, offer encouragement in emotional crises, and invoke a sense of awe, wonder, and reverence.
Well-being is more than simply physical health — it includes your emotions, too. Emotional health is a state of positive psychological functioning. It is about creating and maintaining a healthy attitude. Achieving emotional health and wellbeing is an active process that involves being aware of your feelings, consciously choosing your responses to any given situation, and communicating emotions in an appropriate way. It means being at peace with who you are, and having the tools you need to weather life's ups and downs.
Although we may not think about environmental wellbeing as the type of wellbeing that personally affects us much, its impact on our overall level of wellness can have a huge impact. Environmental wellbeing makes us aware of the interactions between the environment, community and us. It inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings and encourages us to live in harmony with the Earth by taking action to protect it.
If we use our resources wisely and educate ourselves about the things our body needs to maintain wellness, over the course of our life, it isn’t a difficult thing to attain. The benefits of continued wellness are reaped will into our later years. Look at it as an investment you make, not of dollars and cents, but of time and education. The return on your investment is as yet unmatched by any prescription available.
This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.