What is wellness really?
Wellness is the ‘buzz’ word of today… don’t we hear it everywhere? It’s all over socials – all of them! Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter… and probably many more that I haven’t even heard of or know about. Every advertising campaign – no matter what the product – is targeted at being a better version of yourself.. from telecoms, to retail products, to fast food, to pet food, banking and insurance, and of course the wellness industry – which the Global Wellness Institute estimated to be valued at $121 billion dollars in 2020.
But what is wellness really?
As a leadership and mindset coach – I like to keep an open mind when I hear my clients tell me that a goal is to ‘concentrate on my well-being’ and to ‘put some wellness strategies into my day’.
Wellness can mean so many different things to so many different people.
Here are some examples of what people tell me wellness means to them; and my questions back:
Eating healthy - But what does healthy eating mean to you? Vegetarian, gluten-free, Keto, no dairy, paleo, calorie-controlled… so many options.
Exercising - But what kind of exercise? Weights, yoga, pilates, cardio, spin classes, running, walking, cross-fit, swimming and so on and so on and so on.
Being happy - What does happiness look to you?
Enjoying simple things in life - What do you mean by simple?
Being comfortable in your own skin - What does that look like to you?
Having energy – but I don’t know how to keep my energy levels up all the time? Is that realistic?
Not suffer brain fog - Let’s have a look at what brain fog actually is, and where it comes from.
Many people when they think of wellness conjure images of a person sitting in a serene yoga pose and gazing at crystal clear waters…
We think of meditation, smoothies, sunshine…
If we break down wellness into three pillars – it is easier to navigate. From studies in Positive Psychology, these are known as the brain basics.
Sleep – creating good sleep hygiene is essential for wellness. Try to go to bed around the same time each evening, and wake at the same time most mornings – whether it be a weekend or even if you are on holidays. Limit technology before bed, as well as caffeine and alcohol. Have good air circulation in your bedroom, and not too hot or not too cold.
Exercise – whether it be a walk around the block, or whether it be a sweaty weights session, or whether it be stretching or yoga or pilates… any exercise is going to serve you well. It will increase feel good and naturally derived chemicals running through your body – dopamine, serotonin, endorphins. It will reduce brain fog. And it will increase your energy.
- Nutrition – eat foods that provide the ability to create dopamine in your body. Fruit and vegetables – bananas are great! Lean proteins. Dairy in moderation. Dopamine is the fuel that powers up the pre-frontal cortex area of our brain. This is the part of the brain that helps to regulate our emotions and gives us the ability to make good decisions.
There are so many more elements that can contribute to wellness:
Emotional intelligence
Mental health strategies and services
The ability to create healthy boundaries
Having self-awareness and awareness of others around you
Having good habits and routines in place
Being able to reframe difficult situations
Journaling and gratitude practice
Being connected in your community
Staying informed
Natural and holistic therapies
Allied health and medical support
You will be bombarded with services and products that will ‘give you wellness’. The wellness industry is a multi-billion dollar industry; as – just as once upon a time the saying was ‘sex sells’; we can easily see that in today’s world ‘wellness sells’.
Start with the brain basics – this is a great way to simplify wellness.
Written by:
Mandy Merrifield
Leadership Coach
Objective Leader