Wellness consciousness involves developing healthy habits and routines in the areas of physical, emotional, social, financial and spiritual well-being. It also entails cultivating an attitude of gratitude and mindfulness.
This paper mainly discusses the influencing mechanism of health consciousness on home-based exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reveals that health life goal and perceived behavioral control mediate the relationship between health consciousness and home-based exercise.
Spiritual
Spiritual wellness is the ability to connect with yourself, others and nature. It involves a sense of purpose, deeply held values and a belief that you are part of the universe. It may include religious practice, but it does not have to.
Participants noted that indicators of spiritual wellness included personal and social behaviors such as tolerance, empathy, altruism, generosity, benevolence, compassion, honesty, hope, self-worth and integrity. They also cited the ability to accept life’s challenges, especially difficult ones.
Finding a spiritual place to reflect and spend time alone is another important element of spiritual wellness. This can be a quiet spot in nature or an internal space where you meditate, pray or contemplate your beliefs and values. It can also be a regular practice to express gratitude to others or yourself.
Physical
Physical wellness focuses on the health of the heart and body, including movement, nutrition, sleep and rest. It includes regular exercise, healthy diets, hydration, disease prevention, and seeking medical care when needed.
It also entails avoiding behaviours that can negatively impact physical wellness, such as excessive use of harmful substances and a lack of appropriate hygiene. It is essential to learn about and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The physical dimension of wellness is often overlooked in education. However, schools and libraries can be powerful catalysts in the wellness movement by offering interactive experiences that promote holistic physical well-being. By embracing wellness consciousness, educators can help foster knowledgeable and health-conscious generations. Hiveclass equips educational leaders with a wealth of resources to support this endeavour.
Emotional
Emotional wellness includes being able to identify and accept one’s feelings, while also fostering optimism and the ability to cope with challenges. It also embraces self-awareness and esteem, social awareness and empathy, and the ability to communicate effectively.
Taking care of one’s emotional well-being includes practicing mindfulness. This means paying attention to the present moment through activities such as mindful breathing, eating, and walking. It also includes limiting negative self-talk and staying connected to family and friends, both in person and virtual.
Those who are emotionally healthy can take advantage of life’s blessings and find joy in everyday experiences. They are grateful for what they do have and recognize the things that they can contribute to others. They tend to be kinder and more compassionate to themselves and those around them.
Social
As COVID restrictions ease and people start socializing more again, the practice of social wellness is increasingly important. It involves cultivating a sense of connection, belonging and a well-developed support system.
This dimension can be boosted by engaging in social hobbies such as group exercise, volunteering, and attending community events. It also includes finding a spiritual community that shares your beliefs or values.
It can be a good idea to seek out a wellness coach who can teach you about the eight dimensions of wellness and provide tools for developing wellness-affirming habits, routines and coping strategies. For example, a coach could recommend that you spend time each day on a mental health tool such as mindfulness or journaling. Or, they may suggest that you join a community such as Peloton to connect with other like-minded individuals while getting your cardio in on one of our bikes or treads.
Financial
Financial wellness is a state of being that encompasses knowing how money works, managing your cash wisely with budgeting and regular savings, handling credit scores and debt, and setting short- and long-term goals. Those goals might include saving for a house, children’s college tuition, or retirement.
A solid income that can cover expenses is essential to reaching financial wellness. It’s a key part of mental wellness, as well, since researchers have found that people who struggle with financial stress are at higher risk for depression and suicide.
It can be helpful to work with a financial professional on developing short-term goals and creating a plan for paying off debt and investing in the future. CU Thrive has many resources to help you get started on your financial wellness journey.
