Wellness consciousness involves awareness of the impact you have on yourself and the planet. It requires active participation in a holistic lifestyle. It includes physical, psychological and spiritual well-being.
This study reveals that health consciousness has a positive influence on home-based exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. This influence is mediated by health life goal and perceived behavioral control.
Physical
Physical wellness involves healthy habits around exercise, nutrition, rest and self-care. It encompasses a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, sufficient sleep to feel rested each night and regular aerobic activity (3 times per week for 30 minutes). It also includes personal stewardship around attending to your body’s health needs and knowing when medical attention is needed.
It also involves avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol and drug use. Maintaining a balanced physical wellness is important because it can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and enhance the functioning of all other dimensions of well-being. It’s essential to find a workout routine that is both enjoyable and sustainable, so you are more likely to stick with it. Incorporating cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercises into your daily routine will provide the most benefit. Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. Remember, your body is working hard while you’re sleeping to heal and grow.
Psychological
Psychological wellness includes an individual’s perception of happiness, meaning in life, and personal goals. These can be influenced by several factors, such as self-care, stress management, positive thinking, and resilience. Some psychologists list as many as eight domains of wellness, such as emotional, physical, social, occupational, and spiritual well-being.
Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help individuals achieve mental clarity, reduce stress, and cultivate inner peace. Exercise, healthy eating, and sleep are also important to psychological wellness. Developing a strong sense of purpose and having meaningful relationships are essential to mental well-being.
The journal Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice encourages submissions relating to consciousness research, including but not limited to:
Social
Having healthy relationships and a well-developed support system is central to social wellness. Having this foundation reduces isolation and supports us through the ups and downs of life.
Practicing social wellness involves nurturing our friendships and family connections while also learning to communicate with others assertively, respectfully and empathetically. It also involves understanding and respecting differences between people, such as race, religion, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender identity and life experiences.
Practicing social wellness can include anything from regularly catching up with friends over coffee or exercise to connecting through an app like Peloton, where individuals can join a virtual community that meets for group fitness classes on bikes, rowers and treads. It’s also worth exploring local community resources that offer workshops, classes and social events. Lastly, remember that balancing this dimension of wellness with work and other day-to-day commitments can be challenging. Try to schedule your time and keep it consistent so it doesn’t get pushed back by other priorities.
Spiritual
Spiritual wellness involves having a guiding set of beliefs, faith, values and ethics that provide meaning and purpose to life. It also includes an individual’s search for truth and understanding of the universe through nature, art and religion. It also includes a feeling of connection to humanity as a whole. Spiritually well individuals are often characterized by compassion, forgiveness, altruism and optimism.
Our study participants believed that a person’s level of spiritual wellness may fluctuate throughout their lifetime. Some may choose to pursue spiritual wellness through organized religion, while others explore it through personal introspection and practices such as meditation or prayer.
To promote your spiritual wellness, focus on maintaining an active daily routine that supports your beliefs and values. A mindfulness journal can be a great way to track your progress and celebrate your successes. It can also be a powerful tool for identifying any negative beliefs and behaviors that require attention and change.
