Health is a very universal concept, yet there isn’t a singular formula to achieving
it. There’s no standard path that can be adopted by all. And, there’s certainly
no one-size-fits-all! The rising rates in obesity, the alarming ascend in the number
of heart patients and the unaddressed issues of mental health, all call for concern.
Despite the humongous number of self-help books, quack references and an entire
gamut of alternatives available, we still seem, to be in need for help. Why is that
so? After all, the general advice doled out seems to be the same for everyone: Eat
well-sleep well, exercise moderate and engage in a hobby, practice mindfulness and
let go of negativity… (The list could go on). However, it has been proven with time
that it isn’t of much help.
The reason for that is: everyone is unique! What works for one may not work for
another. And, that’s where ‘Personal Wellness’ comes into play. Personal Wellness
is tailor-made and it is exclusive. It is designed to be specific in its approach
and unique in its creation.
THE SECRET FORMULA TO PERSONAL WELLNESS
Personal wellness isn’t some elusive gift ordained for some. It is very much attainable.
It refers to the state of being that can be achieved when there is a holistic integration
of one’s mental, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual being. These components
are all equally important and not interchangeable, as is widely misunderstood.
Balance is the answer to that question. Striking the right balance between all existing
elements of your life without undermining any in particular would set you on a path
of self-fulfillment and wellness. But, unfortunately we humans are designed to forget/neglect/over-think
and set ourselves off the course, unwittingly. Look at it this way: Imagine your
life as a wheel that is on the roll. You keep moving on regardless of the state
of the surroundings or the condition of/on the road, until your wheel starts to
squeak. It is only then that you start to consider maintaining the wheel. That’s
exactly how we deal with ourselves and the situations in our lives! Until we begin
to hear the wheel creak, we don’t bother about its maintenance.
Balancing should come as a second nature to us, if we wish to lead a satisfying
life. The spokes of the wellness wheel that manage to balance our ride in life are
the very essences that make up for our comfortable and peaceful living.
8 SPOKES OF THE WELLNESS WHEEL
1. Emotional Wellness is the ability to developing the right attitude that
helps one deal with the inevitable stress-inducing and anxiety ridden situations
of life. It helps navigate through life with grace & strength.
2. Physical Wellness isn’t about maintaining weight alone. It involves fitness,
agility, dexterity, while being completely comfortable in one’s own skin.
3. Social Wellness is about your interaction (be it personal or professional)
with fellow beings. Man is a social being who isn’t designed to live in isolation.
Your interaction not only determines your individual growth, but also the society’s
at large!
4. Intellectual/Mental Wellness is about rewiring your brain, opening your
mind and experiencing a new horizon through learning. Nothing is more soul-satisfying
than knowing that your mental faculties are put to their best use!
5. Spiritual Wellness is the endeavour in achieving peace and harmony with
oneself and the universe. From the dawn of time, man has been curious of his existence,
the purpose and intent of his life. Spirituality provides answers to some of man’s
most poignant questions.
6. Environmental Wellness is by far the most undermined aspect of wellness.
It is about establishing a sense of comfort, belonging, nurture, care & sustainability
with one’s surroundings. The relationship between man and his surroundings is vital
to determining his physical & mental health.
7. Recreational Wellness refers to those moments when one unplugs oneself
from the mundanity of life. Man needs rest from time to time. He needs time to recreate
and recuperate, unlike machines. But, most importantly he needs time to heal and
allow his mind and body to experience the same.
8. Financial Wellness is about having sufficient funds to meet one’s requirements.
A hungry stomach can never lead a satisfying life. Man needs to work and manage
his finances bearing his present and future endeavours in mind.