What Is Complete Wellness?

Next month we are running a complete wellness retreat, focusing on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of wellbeing.

The World Health Organisation defines wellness as ‘a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’

I loved this as I resonate with the idea of wellness as a proactive, positive state rather than the ‘absence’ of ill-health. The goal is the prevention of ill health rather than ‘fixing’ something that’s damaged.

Often we only consider our wellness as a route to recovery following a period of stress, overwhelm or burnout, but our own wellness is something we can and should take responsibility for. There are actions we can all take action to move ourselves along the continuum towards a life of satisfaction.

Dimensions of Wellbeing

The WHO definition highlights that wellness is not simply about our physical health.

Traditionally, ‘being well’ has referred to a physically healthy body and perhaps the absence of mental ill-health. Today there is an increasing recognition that wellness is much broader than that and is more holistic in nature.

There are many models of wellness with 4, 6, 8 and even 12 dimensions! It encompasses so much more than simply being physically fit.

The most popular models list 8 dimensions of wellness;

·        Physical – exercise, rest and nutrition required for a healthy body

·        Emotional - recognising, managing and expressing emotions in self and others

·        Intellectual / mental - engaging our minds through curiosity, learning and creativity

·        Spiritual – understanding our purpose, beliefs and values. Finding meaning through something bigger than ourselves

·        Social / community - building healthy relationships, connecting with others and our communities

·        Financial - taking responsibility for our money to create security and avoid stress

·        Environmental - living in a safe and supportive environment, in harmony with the planet

·        Occupational / vocational – satisfying and fulfilling work

Some of these will come to you naturally, but being fully well may need more active attention and action in some areas.

Do you know what you need more of in your life? Try rating how you are doing in each of these 8 dimensions on a scale of 1 to 10. This will give you an idea of what you need to focus on. 

The Whole Woman Retreat centres around the first four as these areas because they are a good place to start. You can quickly take action to put some small but important changes in place.  

Wellness Is An Active Process

Wellness is ‘the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.’               The Global Wellness Institute.

Wellness is a process not an end outcome. It is making ongoing choices that are in our best interest, choices that are good for us. When you think of wellbeing this way the responsibility for that comes back into our hands. It involves intention, choice and action;

·        I want to feel better

·        To do that I recognise I need to (for example) run / sleep / save / volunteer / meet people.

·        I do those things  

·        I carry on doing those things, adjusting and adding to them as I find out more.

Wellness is not passive, it is not something we either have or don’t have. We can take action to nurture all of these areas. As we create the time and space to build them into our lives we become more resilient. You are less likely to become mentally or physically unwell and you are better able to handle stress and anxiety. You realise you have agency in your own life and that in itself makes us happier and more satisfied with life!

It takes  a shift in thinking, a shift we have already made when we think about physical health. We know we can take action to maintain and improve our physical wellbeing. A similar shift is needed in some of the other dimensions.

It’s Not a Level Playing Field

Many people are at a disadvantage when it comes to managing their wellness. From new parents to those living in poverty or with a chronic condition, many start their wellness journey from a place of disadvantage. Factors such as lack of time, caring responsibilities, financial restriction, dealing with pain or physical disability can all make managing your wellness harder.

This is where the multi-dimensional wellness helps to identify the areas where you can make changes that support you. Living with a chronic condition for example can mean much of your time and health is in the hands of medical professionals. Being able to take control and action to support other dimensions such as building your social, financial or intellectual wellness, becomes even more important in creating a life of satisfaction.

Ways To Support Your Wellness

Physical: get enough sleep, eat healthily, build regular, achievable movement into your day.

Intellectual: nurture your mind, keep it active and curious. Learn, create, find hobbies, read. Do a course, have inspiring conversations, take up new challenges.

Emotional: practice journaling, meditation and self-compassion. Seek out supportive relationships. Find professional help when your need it.

Spiritual: Find those ways to connect with something beyond yourself, align to your values and purpose, find time for stillness and peace however that works for you in your life.

Some Final Thoughts

Start thinking about wellness as something you do, something that is integrated into your life. That way, you take your health back under your control, something you are responsible for.

Remember too that wellness is not a destination. Taking the action and realising you have that within your power, that can be when your wellness starts to build.

Don’t compare yourself to others. What is important to you and your wellness may not be to someone else. The challenges you face, others may not have to give a second thought to. Getting to the shops might be your marathon. Work on getting to the shops.

Acknowledge the effort you make as you take action and congratulate yourself and your achievements.