Improving Your Wellness

There is no magic pill to healthier relationships, increased productivity or more wealth. While there are people who would profess to have an ‘exact’ step by step guide to enable you to have the life that you want – we all have unique needs and challenges that require different considerations.

However, the universal truth is that we are all in search for vitality, or the energy to complete the tasks and have the experiences that enrich our lives. Vitality is strongly correlated to our overall health and wellness.

Health and wellness are two words that are often used interchangeably. Perhaps, this is due to the strong relationship they share. But the two words have different origins and meanings. And while you cannot have one without the other, understanding the differences between them is crucial to accessing the energy we desire.

Health refers to our state of being – it is a mere snapshot of our well-being. When we meet with a physician for preventative care, we are entrusting them to provide an accurate snapshot of our current well-being.

And, unless you communicate ongoing concerns or ailments you would like them to address, a physician will provide you with their assessment based on what they observe in the moment. While their assessments are important, their ‘snapshots’ are not the best indicators of our wellness.

Very rarely do we emphasize the importance of preventative care. Instead, modern medicine adopts a reactive posture – providing solutions after we notice problems. But the journey of wellness is a form of preventative, or self-care. Wellness is holistic in nature as it acknowledges every facet of our lives that influence our wellbeing. Put simply, you cannot maintain your health without the constant pursuit of wellness.

“The concept of total wellness recognizes that our every thought, word, and behavior affect our greater health and wellbeing. And we, in turn, are affected not only emotionally but also physically and spiritually.”

The National Institute of Health (NIH) proposes various dimensions of wellness that influences the quality of our lives (physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial, and environmental.) These dimensions are interdependent – in that the status of one dimension affects the other.

Consistent exercise (physical), for example, leads to less anxiety and an overall improved mood (mental and spiritual). “Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit.” (NIH)

These dimensions can often feel intimidating and constantly striving for wellbeing can be challenging. However, engaging in self-care should not trigger stress or anxiety – Instead, it’s an act of love and compassion that we extend to ourselves. And, unlike good health, wellness is not something that you can accomplish – it is a personal journey.

Transformative Thinking helps individuals find balance, resources, and support to implement changes necessary for their personal journey. Here you can find information on ways to grow in these dimensions – enrich your health, cultivate healthier relationships, and improve your quality of life.