Wellness consciousness fosters positive interrelationships between planetary health and human actions, choices and wellbeing. It is a holistic approach to healing and is driven by self-responsibility.
This study examined the influencing mechanism of wellness consciousness on home-based exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that wellness consciousness promotes people to set health life goal, further enhances perceived behavioral control and finally influences home-based exercise behaviors.
Environmental Wellness
The environment where we live, work and study can influence our mental health and productivity. Environmental wellness is the conscious connection to our physical surroundings and ensuring that they are clean, secure and safe for ourselves and other living organisms.
Often, this is as simple as being able to walk into a room without being exposed to harsh or irritating chemicals. It can also include having access to fresh air and avoiding polluted areas and foods.
It can also be as involved as learning about sustainable practices, like bringing reusable water bottles to work and purchasing only organic produce. Spending more time in nature, especially parks and other green spaces like the City of Newport News’, is another way to practice environmental wellness. This practice, called shinrin-yoku, is also known as “forest bathing,” and has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and increase overall mood. It’s also been linked to better sleep, focus and creativity.
Social Wellness
You exercise near-daily, add spinach to your smoothies and prioritize your sleep. But there might be a health-related box you’re missing: social wellness.
The practice of social wellness involves developing healthy relationships that provide emotional and practical support during difficult times. It also includes having the ability to create boundaries in your relationships that encourage communication, trust and conflict management. Socially well people also value and respect diversity and are able to empathize with others.
It can be easy to neglect the importance of social well being because it’s often pushed aside in favor of more pressing issues like balancing work and life demands, finding time for friends and family or navigating personal issues. However, research shows that being socially well is linked to physical and emotional wellbeing. In fact, a person who is isolated has double the risk of premature death compared to those who are socially engaged. The best way to improve your social wellness is to make time for socializing and to surround yourself with positive, supportive relationships.
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness is the search for a sense of meaning and purpose in life. It can involve a variety of activities, including meditation, prayer, volunteer work and spending time in nature. It can also include a person’s values, beliefs and morals.
Spiritual Wellness includes practicing compassion, gratitude and mindfulness. It can also include balancing one’s own needs with those of others and finding a place in the world.
It’s important to take the time to reflect and meditate on a daily basis. A good way to do this is through journaling, which gives you the space and freedom to explore your emotions and thoughts. It can also help you discover your inner strengths and talents. It can also be a great way to express yourself creatively, such as through art or music, which helps to channel your emotions and leads to a meditative state of being. Practicing Yoga is another excellent way to develop a connection with yourself and the universe, and it can also improve longevity and immune system function.
Physical Wellness
Physical wellness includes a healthy diet, exercise, sleeping habits, weight management and accessing the right medical help when needed. It also involves learning how to care for minor illnesses and knowing when to seek professional medical attention.
A physically well person gets enough restful sleep, eats balanced meals, exercises daily and attends regular medical check-ups. It can also include healthy sexual habits and avoiding unhealthy substances.
Ideally, all dimensions of wellness need to be in balance for an individual to thrive. However, it’s not impossible to prioritize one dimension of wellness over another if that’s what works for you and your family. It is important to recognize that all aspects of health are interconnected, and neglecting one aspect of wellness may lead to other health problems. A good way to start improving your wellness is by determining what areas need the most work and then developing wellness-affirming behaviors, routines or coping strategies in those areas.
