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Balancing Your Five Areas of Wellness

Balancing Your Five Areas of Wellness

February 27, 2019 Debra Ferrie

We all hear the term “wellness” pretty often nowadays don’t we? It’s everywhere!

What does it make you think of?

Do you instantly think physical well-being? Emotional? Both? Neither? Something else?
Turns out wellness has a broad definition, but many people think of it simply as “being well”.

So what is that “well” that we refer to? It’s not just the absence of illness but rather a balanced mind and body. Simply put, to be well we must nurture at least these five areas in order to feel and look our best.

Physical Wellness

We can choose to fill our bodies with junk or with carefully prepared whole foods. “Whole foods” is simply eating mainly unprocessed foods in an array of colors. I’m about moderation too. No stop at an ice parlor with my kids on a 95 degree day is going to lead to guilt here. Love the food you eat, don’t label it all. It’s not “bad” or “good” if you enjoy it with your every sense. However, choosing homemade meals based around plants is the best way to keep your body healthy and fit.

Physical wellness is about being conscious of the foods we eat but also moving our bodies, stretching, exercising and feeling good IN and WITH our bodies. It’s having that bounce in your step. The ability to reach your toes or keep you with your kids( somewhat anyway, we all know how fast a 2 or 3 year old can be!)

There are many ways to stay in shape. Recently I read that two of the best things are walking and yoga. So check your pedometers and get in your steps. Add yoga to your days, even if just twice a week( and trust me, once you get hooked, you might like it 3-6 times a week!) Another great way to stay fit is resistance training, AKA weights. Keeping your muscles strong is important as we age.

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness is a tough one for many people. Throughout each day we are bombarded with stressors and have to make choices on how we react and how we think.

Emotional wellness is about your attitude, optimism, self-awareness and self acceptance.

It’s about feeling supported and offering support.

It’s about loving yourself and loving how you feel about your choices.

I suggest having a few apps on your phone like HAPPIFY or CALM or HEADSPACE and tuning in to them daily is possible.

Social Wellness

Connecting with friends is an important aspect of wellness. Social wellness involves participating in your community and circles.

It’s feeling connected with a group of like-minded people and friends.

Social wellness and balance comes from having meaningful relationships with family, friends, co-workers and colleagues. You can also develop social wellness by volunteering. Working a home business can connect you with a team, as can working anywhere! Stay involved, meet new people, join a club, take a class and get social. It really feels good to have all sorts of connections.

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness is not necessarily religious but if religion plays a big part in your life, there is a great overlap.

Spirituality gives us a sense of purpose and meaning in life, expands our harmony and brings a sense of inner connectedness with oneself and peace. Taking time to be alone, especially out in nature, often nurtures our spirituality. Yoga can too. Or consider going on a spiritual retreat or even one day mini retreats aimed to awaken and nourish your spirituality.

Intellectual Wellness

This is more about the ability to open your mind, improve your skills and learn new things.

It’s a stimulating part of life that comes from reading, studying, travel and trying new things. Intellectual wellness is about soaking up life experiences and growing from them.

Balancing all of these aspects and nurturing your body, mind and soul is what will help you ultimately achieve satisfying and health-nourishing levels of wellness. You’ll not only look better, you’ll feel better, when you are balanced in all areas.

If you feel you’ve been neglecting one area, or more, start focusing on that area and see how it fills up your life and adds balance.

Debra Ferrie is a lifestyle blogger and holistic beauty and wellness advocate. You can read more of her posts on her blog: www.thenaturalbeautymama.com.

Debra is also a Vitalibis Ambassador - her personal website link is www.vitalibis.com/debraferrie