Intro to Wellness

Hello everyone and welcome! Whether you are already familiar with wellness, or this is all new to you, you have come to the right place. Something has brought you here and that is a wonderful first step. First, it is so important to understand the concept of wellness and the importance of prioritizing it in our daily lives.

There are many different dimensions to wellness including physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Physical wellness is defined as the state of one's physical health and the ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is achieved with regular exercise, proper nutrition, getting enough sleep, and trying your best to avoid harmful habits such as smoking nicotine, or excessive alcohol consumption. Mental wellness on our emotional wellbeing. To achieve mental wellness, you need to focus on managing stress, and developing healthy coping mechanisms. These can be achieved through things like meditation, engaging in hobbies, and engaging in positive self-talk. Please always seek health and support when having trouble in these areas! Social wellness is defined as the quality of our relationships and our ability to connect with others. This involves building healthy relationships, having a strong support network, and engaging in social activities with friends and loved ones. Make sure to choose your circle wisely! Lastly is spiritual wellness, now this doesn't necessarily refer to religion (although for some people this is their choice of spirituality). In this sense spirituality refers to a connection to something bigger than oneself and finding meaning and purpose in daily life. We need to explore our values, beliefs, and principals. Some activities to strengthen your spiritual wellness can include prayer, meditation, spending time in nature, or participating in acts of kindness. 

Let's talk briefly about how nutrition and exercise play a fundamental role in wellness. First of all, it's no secret that eating a balanced nutritious diet, and exercising regularly can help maintain a healthy weight as well as support cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Making sure to incorporate a balanced diet will also increase your energy levels. Have you ever felt sluggish after a carb filled / processed meal? There is a reason for that. The statement "we are what we eat" comes to mind here. Eating a diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, and a large variety of fruits and vegetables provide the body with necessary nutrients and oxygen to fuel the body. This includes the brain, arguably one of our most important organs. Did you know that what you eat has a direct effect on brain health? Well go into this more in detail on another post, but it is important to know that your gut signals your brain. If you aren't feeding your body what it needs to produce the proper hormones, you will notice it in your mood, memory, and brain function. 

In conclusion, by prioritizing wellness we can experience improved physical health, mental well-being, social connections, and a deeper sense of purpose in life. It is important to know that this is a lifelong journey that requires ongoing maintenance and self-care. Take it one day at a time, one step at a time, give yourself grace. We're so happy you're here!