Wellness is the supreme state of wholeness attainable by a human being. Good nutrition and regular exercise are critical to wellness, but there are more pillars comprising holistic wellness.
Physical
Physical wellness has multiple smaller components, from blood pressure, to skeletal structure to stamina and more. To monitor and regulate the mentioned wellness factors, it is important to take physical exams at a doctor’s office at least once a year. .
Emotional
In emotional wellness, a person is able to regulate and compartmentalize his emotions. Emotional self-regulation is the person’s capacity to know as well as manage his own feelings to towards people, things, events and life in its entirety. It also helps identify triggers that lead to emotional distress. On the same note, compartmentalization is the ability to maintain a certain distance from one’s negative emotions, such as during or after a traumatic ordeal.
Social
Humans are born to socialize. In other words, people will reach out to other people as their nature. We all look for that feeling of belonging. Positive social interactions makes us feel as though we have been rewarded, that is, by a feeling of belongingness. This simple positive reinforcement is also the factor behind toxic relationships being hazardous to health, and why people who have good friendships and social networks live happier and longer lives. Therefore, it is logical to assume that strong, healthy social ties is critical to achieving total wellness.
Spiritual
Spiritual wellness can means many different things to a person, depending on his religious or even cultural background. Nonetheless, this spirituality must be nourished. It is a way of achieving a sense of being grounded.
Cognitive
Lastly, the human mind is as diverse as the body. For many out there, satisfying a need for intellectual stimulation and socialization is of equal importance as receiving proper nutrition. They are simply unfulfilled without. Learning can be a crucial aspect of life. Every time we read science journals, hone our skills and learn new ones, or analyze classic music, we are opened up to a whole different world where we may find ideas or viewpoints that contrast our own, and then learn from that disparity. Cognitive engagement is probably the most stimulating activity we can do in this world.
At the end of the day, we are all looking for complete wellness, and unless we improve ourselves in each of the above-mentioned aspects, it can never be achievable for us. There will lots of temptations to veer us away from our goal, but discipline is critical.