Why Wellness is More Than Good Eating

Why Wellness Is More Than Good Eating

How can you eat and live well? Do you struggle with your weight and lack of energy? Maybe you don’t have time to exercise or prepare healthy meals. Wellness is about the whole person and all aspects of life. Let’s explore some lifestyle factors that come into play in overall wellness.

Lifestyle factors that are characteristic of wellness  

Self-responsibility. Determine to acknowledge and assume responsibility for making healthy choices and being self-motivated. Be open to adjusting or setting goals to change unhealthy behaviors and habits. Stay up to date with your annual checkups and blood work to get ahead of anything that may be going on.

Nutritional awareness. Naturally, nutrition is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes the first step is to be more aware of what you are putting in your body. Are you eating all food groups? Do you tend to fill up on carbs and dismiss a daily intake of fruits and vegetables? Choose the right foods that bring nutrition, limiting sugary drinks and processed foods.

Stress management. Sleep, stress management, social connections, and mental health are the parts of a complete wellness picture. A lack of sleep can wreak havoc on your mental and physical health.

Physical fitness. Some of us gained weight during quarantine and have struggled to get that weight back off. Yet, there are many creative ways to get moving again and shed those pounds. Consider joining a gym, discovering a class you would enjoy, or going big to purchase a Peloton. You can also keep it simple and start taking walks or stretching for at least 10 minutes a day. As that becomes more manageable, add on another 10 minutes.

Environmental sensitivity. How one interacts with their environment can either enhance or limit any person’s physical, social and emotional well-being. Visit parks and nature trails or have a healthy picnic outside.

Financial Wellness. Health and personal finances are often linked because finances are commonly an area of stress. Setting goals to reduce debt and plan financially for your future will help to bring financial well-being. Financial security will bring peace of mind.

Social Wellness. It can be hard to find time to give back and spend time with friends in our task-filled days. So it starts by being intentional about contributing to your community since the return you feel from helping others is powerful. Taking our eyes off our wants to fill the needs of others provides invokes positive emotions.

Take control of your overall wellness and explore what makes it more than just good eating. Don't focus on the scale or counting calories; instead, look at your overall state of wellness.

The wellness market continues to grow and offers several options that can be customized based on your interests and lifestyle. Search for ways to improve your overall wellness and always look at the whole picture instead of just focusing on one thing.

Need some tips for healthy living? Head over to our blog post, "Make Your Health a Priority."

Are you a member of Impact and in need of your annual wellness visit? Head over to the Help Center for more details.