Wellness means different things to people. For some, it’s all about a thin, firm body suitable for a magazine cover. Others define peace of mind, a close-knit family, or meeting goals as living well. And still others define inner peace and love as a measure of a life well lived. What is it to you?
You look well
Earlier in my life, many people judged me as ‘well’, but I was far from it. My body was unhealthy and it caused me to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. My body was anxious, tense, and agitated. Those uneasy feelings caused me to be reactive, defensive, and sad. My uncomfortable body also bled over to how I felt about myself and the world.
How do you feel about your body? What impact is this having on your life?
I’m not feeling well
On top of not feeling well inside my body, my mind was a jumbled mess. Lack of mental health skills had me caught in destructive thoughts. Although I was able to hold a job, my mental health was suffering. I did not know how to best connect with others, have healthy boundaries, and take responsibility for my life. What was I to do with an unhealthy body and mind?
How do you feel about your mental health? What impact is it having?
It went even deeper
My heart was also hurting. Beyond a low self-esteem there was hopelessness about the future, a lack of gratitude for what I had, and a very distant God. My brand of faith could not save me from the tentacles of depression but served to keep me captive in a unworthy state. Life was meaningless.
What do you believe? What impact is this having on your life?
Many factors
What I learned as I battled to rid my life of depression is that ‘wellness’ is made up of many factors. The combination of my physical health, my mental health, and my spiritual health, was the key to being well and overcoming this disease. It is the same for anyone. A healthy body, mind, and spirit creates true wellness.
Are you well?
If not, what areas do you need to address to become well? What have you tried? What can you add? How will you do it?
How do you define wellness?
Your body, mind, and spirit are all barometers of your wellness. It’s important to have a definition so you know what you’re striving for. Ask yourself questions like these to be clear on what it means to be well.
What is my ideal weight?
What is the right amount of activity to feel energetic?
How much sleep do I need each night?
How do I define is a healthy view / opinion of myself?
How do I define a healthy relationship?
What am I responsible for in my life that others are not responsible for?
What constitutes a healthy view of the future?
How do I want to love others?
What is my reason for living?
How do you define wellness?
How do you gauge it?
We often compare ourselves to others. That will never be an accurate measure of your wellness. Instead of looking to others, ask yourself honest questions.
Do I feel good in my body? Do I feel rested each day? Am I moving enough to feel energetic?
Do I love myself?
Do I have good relationships that are mutually beneficial?
Do I feel in control of my life?
Do I have a purpose for living?
Do your answers show you are well? If not, what areas will you work on?
How do you maintain it?
It is also important to maintain your wellness. You must be intention about it. Taking small steps towards wellness is the best way to get lasting results. Be authentic with yourself. Decide not what you can do but what you will do.
What will I do to make sure my body feels good?
What will I do to make sure I feel rested?
What will I do to make sure I move enough?
What will I do to show love and respect to myself?
What will I do to show love and respect to others?
How will I practice gratitude, hopefulness, and my faith?
How do you maintain wellness?
Expand on your current definition of wellness
There is freedom in realizing wellness is multi-facetted. You may have strength and wellness that you have not considered before. Working towards wellness in all three areas, physical, mental, and spiritual, guarantees a faster and more holistic position of health.
Take a piece of paper and turn it sideways. Write ‘Physical’, ‘Mental’, and ‘Spiritual’ across the top. Then underneath, jot down just one way you will move towards more wellness in that area. Put it somewhere you will see every day to remind yourself of the small steps you will take to be well.
If you are unsure about how to do this, purchase my books So Now What? A Guide for People Who Feel Stuck and the workbook So Now What? A Guided Workbook to Get Unstuck. They will help you come up with strategies to be well. You can order them here.
