Mindfulness & Wellness Blog

We often hear about wellbeing and wellness when it comes to our health.

 

These terms are often used interchangeably, and it can get very confusing and most of think they are the same thing.

 

So, I want to offer some clarification about these terms in this blog!

 

First let’s talk about wellbeing.

 

Well-being is the state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.

 

Wellbeing generally includes what people think about their lives such as the quality of their relationships, their positive emotions and resilience, the realization of their potential, or their overall satisfaction with life.

 

Why is wellbeing important us?

 

Higher levels of well-being are associated with decreased risk of disease, illness, and injury; better immune functioning; speedier recovery, and increased longevity.

 

Now wellness by definition “is the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.”

 

Because mental health and physical health are so closely linked, problems in one area can impact the other.

 

There are 6 Dimensions of Wellness

1. Physical: recognizing the need for physical activity, diet, sleep and nutrition
2. Intellectual: recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
3. Emotional: coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
4. Spiritual: expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life.
5. Social: developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system
6. Environmental: good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support wellbeing.
7. Financial: satisfaction with current and future financial situations
8. Occupational: personal satisfaction and enrichment derived from one’s work or volunteering.

 

Wellness is associated with an active process of being aware and making choices that lead toward an outcome of optimal holistic health and wellbeing.

 

Put simply…wellness is the day to day pursuit of attaining a sense of wellbeing.

 

The difference is action versus result.

 

Wellness = the action

 

Wellbeing = the result of the action.

 

Many people may be ready to start incorporating wellness into their lives but may not know how to start.

 

Well that is why I am here! I want to help jump start your journey by providing you with knowledge, self-care techniques and wellness tips that you can easily add to your busy day.

 

I wanted to give you some examples of how you might use the eight dimensions to improve our wellness and create some new self-care habits:

 

Physical: you've been putting off. Explore ways to exercise and move your body that you enjoy And do them. Take. A few mindful breaths, and drink some water.

 

Intellectual: Listen to a podcast that. Trusts you while you're driving or doing mundane chores around the house. Read for 15 minutes before bed. Take a free course on Coursera or Skillshare. Ask someone you respect for their thoughts about a topic that interests you.

 

Occupational: Disconnect from your job, cell phone, e-mail. After dinner or on the weekend. Set boundaries surrounding work or school or home responsibilities. List your career related goals. Put that list somewhere visible and take one step at a time towards these. Update your resume.

 

Spiritual: Spend some quiet time in nature. Download one of the many mindfulness apps out there. And try it out. Send kind thoughts, a note or a prayer if that's your thing, to someone who means a lot to you.

 

Social: Call that friend you haven't heard from lately. Do something kind for a member of your neighborhood or community just because. Say yes to that lunch date and make the time to go. Respond to the text you've been putting off. Join a meetup group in your area.

 

Financial: Track your spending for one week and review it. Talk to a financial advisor. Go on a spending fast for one, two or seven days. Create a personal or family budget.

 

Emotional: you are grateful for. Each morning, reflect on the things that went well during the day before bed. Start a journal. Identify and name your moods. Carve out time to do one thing you enjoy each day or week and do this mindfully.

 

Environmental: Set a timer for 10 minutes and pick one area in your space to declutter. Add live plants or color to your office or bedroom. Clean out your car. Recycle old, unnecessary documents.

 

These are just some things that you can do.

 

If you are part of our Iron Lotus community you know we encourage intentional lifestyle changes that help address the whole you and the multiple components of who you are such as nutrition, exercise, social interaction, stress management, and spirituality, into our newsletters, group meetings, programs, courses, workshops, and challenges to help you stay healthy and well.

 

If you aren’t a member yet…  Pick one area to start with and give a wellness idea a try!

 

You can definitely let me know how it went or (I love to hear from you ) …

 

OR…

 

You could become a member of our community!

 

Start actively practicing wellness and improve your wellbeing.

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/166568138916189/

 

Until next time!

 

Stay Mindful & Well,

 

Amber Green