Wellness is a multifaceted active process that encompasses multiple dimensions of well being. It focuses on the development of a lifestyle that enables individuals to achieve their full physical and mental potentials.
This study confirms that health consciousness is related to home-based exercise and the relationship is mediated by perceived behavioral control. Moreover, it suggests that a strong sense of health life goal can also promote home-based exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spiritual
Spiritual wellness is an important element of overall well-being that involves finding meaning and purpose in life. It can also help individuals feel a sense of connection to nature and the universe. Practices that may promote spiritual wellness include meditation, prayer, mindfulness, journaling, volunteering, practicing acts of kindness and compassion, seeking counseling or guidance, and exploring philosophical or existential questions.
Spirituality is becoming an increasingly popular topic in self-help books and in psychology, health psychology, and psychiatry. Spirituality has been found to have a positive impact on mental and physical health, including decreased anxiety and depression, increased life satisfaction, improved quality of life, and greater resilience.
Physical
The physical body focuses on healthy habits in nutrition, exercise and sleep. It also includes practicing hygiene and making responsible choices in regard to safe sexual practices, limiting alcohol and drug use, and maintaining a good weight.
A healthy mental body enables you to think clearly and understand complex ideas. It is your link into other dimensions of life, allowing you to feel at home in this world while still understanding its bigger picture.
Regular physical activity can help maintain a positive mood and improve your ability to handle stress. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise a day, such as walking or swimming. It’s important to listen to your body and avoid anything that causes discomfort. The relationship between the physical and emotional bodies is strong, and neglecting one can impact the other. For example, muscle tension and shallow breathing can indicate a high level of anxiety. When the emotional body heals, physical changes often follow.
Emotional
People who are emotionally well can deal with life stress in a healthy way and have an overall positive outlook. They can manage negative emotions such as anger and sadness, while fostering and nurturing supportive relationships.
Emotional wellness includes self-care and having a sense of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. Research has shown that people who focus on these aspects of wellness are able to bounce back from hardships and adversity.
Practicing gratitude, cultivating positivity, and reframing challenges as opportunities for growth are all essential components of emotional wellness. This dimension also involves empathy and an ability to connect with others.
Studies have shown that individuals who are able to savor positive feelings have lasting activation of the ventral striatum, which is linked to better health and wellbeing. This is why it’s important to regularly remind yourself of what brings you joy and happiness. It’s also helpful to develop and practice a personal mantra to help keep you motivated during challenging times.
Social
The social body encompasses our relationships with others, especially those that provide support through difficult times or when life gets in the way. It also includes learning to balance our social life with other aspects of our lives such as our work and academic pursuits.
A healthy social body supports a positive self-image and confidence, encourages communication and trust, and is based on honesty and mutual care. Studies indicate that the quality of one’s social connections as well as quantity affect both mental health and mortality risks, beginning in childhood.
Rather than looking at wellness as a series of independent bodies to be treated, we can take a four-bodies approach, viewing our whole being as a balanced ecosystem that influences all the other dimensions. Taking this holistic approach will help us identify the facets of wellness that are in need of attention and will guide our actions toward creating equilibrium and balance, which results in true wellness consciousness.
