Am I Well?
I conceptualise our ‘health’ and ‘well-being’ as a holistic entity because the human experience encompasses multiple interconnected dimensions: physical, mental, emotional, social, relational and spiritual ‘wellbeing’. Each aspect influences the others, creating a complex web that affects our overall health and happiness.
When one aspect is neglected, it can lead to imbalances that affect other areas, creating a cycle of decline. For example, poor physical health can lead to emotional distress, which in turn affects social relationships and mental clarity. Therefore, to truly feel well, it's essential to nurture all dimensions of our well-being.
Improving well-being across various dimensions involves intentional actions and practices. Here are some ways to enhance each area:
Physical Well-being:
Good physical health contributes to higher energy levels and better mood, while poor health can lead to stress and anxiety. It’s not a luxury or a chore, it’s a necessity to functionally properly.
- Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical movement per day, or 4 hours per week. To reap necessary benefits, heat rate needs to be elevated.
· Walking
· Jogging
· Run club
· Dancing
· Pilates
· Yoga
· Swimming
· Cycling
· Aerobics
· HIIT
· Weight training
· Team sports: netball, basketball, hockey, football, volleyball, badminton, tennis, paddle ball, soccer, touch rugby etc
- Balanced Nutrition: In order to feel well and function optimally, we need to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into our diet. This includes planning ahead on grocery orders and meal plans which can be adapted to preferences and lifestyles.
- Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. If this isn’t achievable, we must seek support from professionals to improve this as poor sleep effects all aspects of our health.
- Hydration: We need to drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated to be well.
Mental Well-being:
Our cognitive processes and mental clarity affect decision-making, stress management, and our ability to cope with challenges. To Manage our mental health, we must practice:
- Mindfulness and Meditation: This can be achieved through reflective exercises, restorative yoga and removing all distractions to be present. Paying attention to what we put in our mouth, what thoughts are present in our mind and how we feel in our bodies aids mindfulness.
- Cognitive Challenges: Engage in puzzles, reading, or learning new skills to stimulate your mind.
- Limit Screen Time: Reduce time spent on devices, especially on social media as a plethora of evidence proves that negative effects of extensive exposure to our psyche.
- Set Goals: Establishing and pursuing personal or professional goals ensures we can maintain motivation and focus, reducing room for over thinking and poor habits.
Emotional Well-being:
Understanding and managing our emotions is crucial to ever day life. Emotional distress can lead to physical symptoms and hinder our social interactions and all personal and professional relationships. Some tools for managing our emotional wellbeing include:
- Journaling: Regularly scribbling our thoughts and feelings down to process emotions. This can include identifying themes and underlying core beliefs that are influencing our reactions and difficult feelings.
-Practicing Gratitude: Regularly acknowledge things we are grateful for to cultivate a positive mindset. When the energy goes, it flows and we attract what we focus on.
-Emotional Awareness: Identify and name your emotions to better understand and manage them.
Healthy Coping Strategies: Developing constructive ways to cope with stress, such as deep breathing or physical activity.
-Limiting Negative Influences: Surround yourself with positive people and environments.
Social Well-being:
Healthy relationships and a supportive social network enhance our sense of belonging and contribute to emotional and mental health substantially. In 2024, I am noticing a depletion of this with social isolation becoming more common. I enjoy clients to:
- Build and Maintain Relationships: Spend quality time with family and friends; nurture existing relationships that serve us relatively positively.
- Join Groups or Clubs: Engage in community activities or interests to meet new people. House of Hobby is a popular one in Perth for Women.
- Volunteer: Helping others enhances our sense of connection and purpose.
- Effectively Communicate: Practice active listening and open communication in your interactions.
- Set Boundaries: Establish healthy boundaries to protect your time and energy.
For romantic relationships, it’s important to consistently:
- Cultivate Empathy: Try to understand others’ perspectives and feelings.
- Have Open Dialogue: Foster honest and respectful conversations with loved ones.
- Resolve Conflict: Address conflicts constructively and seek mutually beneficial solutions.
- Make Quality Time: Prioritize spending quality time with significant others to strengthen bonds.
- Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge and celebrate achievements and special moments together.
Spiritual Well-being:
This refers to our personal beliefs, values, and a sense of purpose. A strong spiritual foundation can provide resilience and guide us through difficult times.
We can achieve this through:
- Reflecting on our Values and Beliefs: Take time to explore what matters most to you and re prioritise where necessary.
- Practicing Mindfulness or Meditation: Engage in practices that promote spiritual reflection.
- Connecting with Nature: Spend time outdoors to enhance your sense of connection to the world.
- Engage in Spiritual or Religious Practices: If applicable, participate in community worship or spiritual rituals.
- Acts of Kindness: Engage in altruistic activities to foster a sense of connection and purpose.
As you can see, there’s a lot to our health and feeling well. I recommend prioritising all aspects for a month, and then reassessing how you’re feeling and viewing life.