It’s so easy to get caught up in one or two areas of your life that you end up neglecting other equally important areas of your life. This is where the multi-prong wellness model we subscribe to comes into play.
Many people think that good physical health equals wellness – and while it IS important, it is just one component of total wellness. Wellbeing is a multi-faceted thing. So, we’ve decided to create a kickstarter challenge for you to begin to pay attention to ALL the areas of your wellness.
Here is the challenge: every day for 7 days, focus on a different area of wellness and make a conscious effort to pay special attention to this area of your life while taking small steps/action. Of course, one day won’t change anything overnight, but it can be a great way to get some healthy habits started and address the areas of your life that need a little more tending to.
Monday (Spiritual): This article on Spiritual wellness defines it as “finding your life’s meaning and purpose and understanding the values, beliefs, and morals that guide your actions.” It does not mean religion. In fact, while religion may be a great place to start, it doesn’t even have to be part of your spiritual wellness regimen.
- The activity: Take 15 minutes to evaluate what your core needs and values are. Helping people? Being honest with others? A sense of progressing? The possibilities are endless, but until you identify those things, you can’t begin to assess if they are being met. Is the way you spend your time reflective of these needs and values? You may discover it’s time for a change in friendships, career, or something else entirely.
Tuesday (Intellectual): University of New Hampshire (UNH) defines intellectual wellness as “being open to new ideas, thinking critically and finding ways to be creative.”
- The activity: pick one of the above to practice today and take action. Being open to new ideas could mean discussing different points of view and attempting to understand them from the perspective of others, or seeking out a new learning experience. Thinking critically could mean having an intellectual conversation with your partner about current events over dinner. Finding ways to be creative? Think up a time-saving solution to a tedious task or problem.
Wednesday (Physical): This one is easy. We know what it means to take care of our physical health. Pick an area you struggle in (such as hydration, getting enough exercise, eating nutritious whole foods, or prioritizing a good night’s rest) and take one step to improve it today.
- The activity: either get 30 mins of exercise, meet your daily recommendations for fruits and vegetables, put your phone and all electronics away at least an hour before bedtime, or make it your focus to meet your daily hydration needs. If you’re really feeling ambitious, pick more than one!
Come back next week on Wednesday to find part two of the challenge!