Wellness. It's a simple word that has crept into our every day vocabulary in the last few years, yet it seems very difficult to define.
Physical Fitness. Does the person have the energy necessary to do all the things he or she has to do, while having enough energy left over to do the things he or she wants to do? Can the person use the body the way he or she wants? Does the person view illness and disease as feedback from the body that something needs attention? And does the person actually follow through and do something immediately when it is clear that there is a problem? Does the person look at cardiovascular health, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition? Does the person know his or her own body and do everything possible to stay healthy?
Healthy Eating. Does the person get a balance of foods? Does the person watch portion control? Does the person eat regularly throughout the day? Does the person get plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, organic and local when possible? Does the person think about getting enough carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water? Does the person try to eat natural, unprocessed foods and limit sweets, artificial sweeteners and colorings, and saturated fats? Does the person eat breakfast?
Emotional Wellness. Does the person recognize emotions as feedback from the mind as to its current condition? Can the person identify emotions and use them to make changes in life? Can the person process emotions and communicate them appropriately when necessary? Can she or he seek out appropriate professional help when things get out of hand? Does the person have and cultivate healthy self-esteem?
Intellectual Wellness. Does the person do activities regularly to stimulate the mind? Does the person have enough in her or his life to feel challenged but not overwhelmed?
Social Wellness and Sexuality. Does the person have healthy give and take relationships in his or her life? Does the person have someone who loves him or her unconditionally? Can the person have fun regularly? Is the person aware of his or her sexual nature?Does the person feel in control of his or her social and sexual interactions?
Sleep and Rest. Although these are lumped together, they are very different. Humans need fair amounts of each. Does the person get enough sleep (6-8 hours for most people, but everyone has a different natural need)? Is the quality of the sleep good? Does the person feel rested during the day without taking naps? Does the person remember and look at dreams as another feedback mechanism from the mind? Does the person get rest--down time of specifically doing nothing--without guilt?
Good Hygiene and Safety Habits. Does the person clean and bathe regularly? Does the person get check-ups from medical doctors, dentists, and eye doctors? Does he or she regularly give self-exams of the skin and genitals? Does she or he wear a seatbelt and drive carefully, following all laws and recommendations? Brush--and floss--the teeth?
Spiritual Wellness. Does the person have a spiritual belief system that works for him or her, regardless of religious affilitation? Does he or she feel like a part of something bigger--something meaningful? Does the person practice prayer or meditation or some other spiritual practice regularly?
Career and Financial Wellness. Does the person have a career that he or she is comfortable with, that allows him or her to meet all financial responsibilities without causing stress? Is that career in line with his or her interests, values, beliefs? Does he or she feel like that career is meaningful, and does he or she feel like part of a successful team where his or her personal work is valued and rewarded? Does he or she have a long-term financial plan?
Environmental Wellness. Does the person consider practices that reduce, reuse, and recycle? Does the person try to minimize his or her own and community impact on the environment? Does he or she recognize also the state of the environment as feedback from the earth, and do everything is his or her power to help save the earth? Does he or she also avoid environmental hazards by learning what they are and practicing good safety habits?
Motivation. Some say that motivation is the foundation of the wellness model. Does this person want to be healthy and well? This sounds like a no-brainer, but most people's actions in some way are not actually in line with their desires. Without the focused attention on being well, it is only coincidental if people are, and a matter of time before they become un-well.
Holistic Wellness is about looking at one's whole life, not just a piece of it, and not just when things are going wrong. Wellness is proactive instead of reactive. Wellness is a state of existence that isn't negative or positive--it just is. It isn't about being perfect or depriving yourself of enjoyment. In fact, it is more like the opposite--by doing healthy things, you feel good about yourself. You only feel pleasure from your body--not pain. When you feel anything but pleasure from your body, you do something about it to change that. You feel and express gratitude, and you enjoy life, even when it isn't just the way you like it. And most importantly, you recognize that you have the ability to make changes in your life. You can replace feelings of disappointment, sadness, fear, and stuckness with joy.
Regardless of how you choose to define it, wellness is within the reach of every person alive. It is a choice we make every day...do our actions show that we want to be well, or do we actually focus on being un-well? Do we sit around and talk about how bad we are, or do we find simple things within our reach that we can do to improve our quality of life? Do we look at hope and faith, or do we secretly enjoy feeling doom?
The choice is yours...be well!
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