Wellness
Wellness is the highest goal of health. Beyond just fixing problems and navigating emergencies when it comes to your health, wellness is a focus on what it means to be whole in terms of your health. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, it's about understanding the needs of your body and taking the time to understand it and take good care of it. This is a proactive posture and involves taking steps towards your well-being on a daily basis.
“Wellness is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
– The World Health Organization.
There are a few key concepts that are important in achieving this holistic sense of well-being. These include social well-being, good nutrition, sufficient sleep and exercise.
Social Well-Being
Taking the time to tend to your personal relationships. Studies have shown that strong interpersonal relationships have a greater positive impact on health and well-being than previously understood. The strength of your personal relationships has an impact on longevity and quality of life.
Good Nutrition
More than just following a diet plan or losing weight, this involves taking the time to understand your own body and how it responds to certain kinds of food. Also, it is important to understand the needs your body may have at various parts of the day and to eat accordingly.
Sufficient Sleep
Sleep is a superpower. It is probably one of the most underrated aspects of human well-being. A lack of sleep has been associated with poorer reproductive health, early onset of dementia, decreased tolerance for stress and even increased likelihood of suffering a heart attack. Humans are the only creatures on the planet that intentionally deprive themselves of sleep for non-biological reasons and we suffer for it. The ideal amount of sleep is around 8 hours and we must do all we can to get to that number as often as possible. Some tips to get good sleep: go to bed and wake up at the same time every day and try to sleep in a cool room (ideally at about 18 degrees Celsius).
Exercise
More than a new year’s resolution, exercise is an essential part of being a healthy human. Whether it is walking, dancing or going for a good old run, movement is key for the relief of stress, good bowel function, optimum metabolism.
Be sure to also discuss your wellness goals with your health care provider as they may have useful insights for you in light of any other pre-existing conditions you may have.
Here’s to your wellness!
