You've probably heard about the Wellness movement, but maybe you're not entirely sure what it is. The wellness movement is about the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to achieve better results in the physical, mental and spiritual aspects, with which you prepare yourself to feel better with the goal of reaching self-realization.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (illness).” It is interesting to pay attention to this definition because a vast majority of people think that health is about keeping our body healthy and they forget about other medical conditions. Our health not only depends on our physical state, and it is because of this that Wellness is a discipline that has gained interest because it seeks balance, both physical and mental, as well as spiritual, in search of a better quality of life.
The Wellness lifestyle aims to get the best out of each human being by working the physical, mental, and spiritual areas, but who is behind this philosophy? The Father of the wellness movement is the American statesman Halbert L. Dunn. Dunn began to develop this theory in the 50s and affirmed that to lead a healthy life, it was necessary, in addition to having good physical health, to enhance our capacity for self-realization. Although the movement began to gain momentum until the 70s, today, it has become a lifestyle that we should all adopt.
Wellness is a combination of the six dimensions of your life. If you invest time in improving them, you will have started the path to complete Wellness and enjoy their benefits. Keep in mind that physical and psychological work is key to achieving total harmony, but they are not the only ones. Each dimension contributes to our search for quality of life, sometimes, one may be more prominent than the other, but neglecting any of them has adverse effects on overall health. So, it is imperative to maintain a balance between them.
Physical. A sedentary lifestyle is one of the worst ways you can live today, and exercise is the ideal action to counteract it. In addition, exercise helps prevent diseases because it makes us stronger. Physical activity also helps stimulate the mind, as it improves cognitive functions and improves our mood. Finally, we cannot forget to have a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep.
Intellectual. Our mind needs to exercise just like our body. Learning, problem-solving, and creativity are ideal for keeping our minds in shape and avoiding health problems. Perhaps the easiest way to exercise our mind is reading, and why not start with our blog, with which you can learn more about how to have a healthier life.
Emotional. Being emotionally well is typically defined as having the ability to feel and express human emotions such as happiness, sadness, and anger. It means having the ability to love, be loved, and achieve a sense of fulfillment in life. Emotional well-being encompasses optimism, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and the ability to share feelings.
Environmental. Environmental well-being consists of maintaining a way of life that maximizes harmony with the earth and minimizes damage to the planet. It includes participating in socially responsible activities to protect the environment.
Social. Social well-being refers to our ability to successfully interact in our global community and live up to the expectations and demands of our roles. Learn good communication skills, establishing good interpersonal relations, and maintaining a supportive network of friends and family helps to keep our happiness.
Spiritual. Spiritual well-being involves having a set of beliefs, principles, or values that help guide life. It encompasses a high level of faith, hope, and commitment that gives you a sense of meaning and purpose. A spiritually healthy person seeks harmony between the internal and the external, something we can achieve through meditation, volunteer work, or spending time in nature.
Living a healthy life takes dedication and effort, but the payoff is well worth your time. By practicing a balance of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health each day you are actively contributing to a life of wellness. At Fitberry, we believe there should be another reward for this commitment to a healthier lifestyle, more affordable life insurance – because the healthier you are, the less you should pay for life insurance.
The reality is, if you have people you care about, you can benefit from getting life insurance coverage. Our term life insurance plan provides a simple and affordable way to ensure your loved ones are financially taken care of after you pass away. If you are ready to discover your plan option, please feel free to complete our short free quote form. Once that is submitted, a licensed agent in your area will reach out to you to talk about your options.
How do we define “wellness?” Is it simply being physically healthy? Or is there more to it? To better understand your health, it is best to look at your system as a whole rather than individual pieces with varying symptoms and functions.
A holistic approach to health encompasses the five aspects of personal health: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. People argue that you won’t experience complete health and wellness if you neglect any of these areas.
Let’s take a closer look at the five aspects of personal health and explore how we can support each in our daily lives.
Physical Health
Physical health is often what most people think about when asked about health and wellness because we experience any issues at the surface level.
When it comes to feeling physically healthy, there are some essential tips you should focus on:
Emotional Health
Mindfulness goes a long way in the journey to health and wellness. Unfortunately, our emotional health can be so powerful it can affect our physical health. If you aren’t in the right mindset, it can hamper your ability to stay physically active.
Here are some key areas to focus on when looking after your emotional health:
Social Health
Humans are social beings. We need to be around other people forming bonds, having conversations, and supporting each other – which is why social health is also a pillar in our overall wellbeing.
Here are some tips to maintaining positive social health:
Spiritual Health
Spirituality and religion often go hand in hand, but to become spiritually healthy, you don’t necessarily need to practice a religion (although that is also an effective way if you are religious).
Some tips for increasing your spiritual health include:
Intellectual Health
People often say that the brain is arguably the most important/powerful organ in the human body. And just like we have to keep our bodies active with exercise, we also need to make sure our brain stays in shape as we age.
Here is how you can keep your intellectual health in top shape:
Your Health and Life Insurance
Now that we have a better understanding of the five aspects of personal health let’s look at how your health affects your life insurance options. Life insurance companies typically take your current health and health history into account when you apply for coverage. This process can typically involve medical questionnaires as well as a medical exam. Your overall health will impact your eligibility for coverage or how much your premiums will cost.
People striving to live a healthier lifestyle can often find themselves overpaying for coverage with traditional life insurance plans. At Fitberry, our plan rewards Canadians with a health-conscious lifestyle with lower rates for life insurance. If you are interested in discovering how much you can save on coverage, get your free no-obligation quote now to get started.