Wellness is a multifaceted active process that encompasses the achievement of people’s full potential physically, mentally and socially. It includes healthy lifestyle choices, including exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep and stress reduction.
This study explores a chain mediation model that health consciousness can influence home-based exercise through the formation of health life goal and perceived behavioral control.
Physical
Physical wellness focuses on one’s physical body and includes activities like exercise, nutrition, sleep, appropriate health care, stress reduction, and the avoidance of unhealthy habits. Being well physically can help a person better manage the other dimensions of wellness.
Mental wellness focuses on a healthy mind and emotions. This dimension includes activities like expressing feelings, managing life stress, coping with problems, and positive thinking. It can also include practicing meditation or mindfulness to reduce stress and improve emotional resilience.
This study finds that health consciousness has a direct effect on home-based exercise, and this impact is enhanced by people’s high level of perceived behavioral control. This mediating effect is consistent with Bailis et al.’s finding that health life goal mediates the relationship between wellness consciousness and home-based exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the mediating effect of health life goal is less robust than that of wellness consciousness. Moreover, the results of this study confirm the previous findings that health conscious individuals are more likely to exercise at home than those who are not.
Mental
Mental wellness encompasses emotional health and the ability to cope with stress. Practicing mindfulness or meditation can reduce anxiety, and journaling can be an effective way to process feelings. Indulging in hobbies, like playing games or pursuing intellectual pursuits, can also enhance mental wellness.
The study analyzed the relationship between wellness consciousness and home-based exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that health consciousness influences home-based exercise through a chain mediation effect. That is, people who are highly conscious of health may set healthy life goals and increase perceived behavioral control, which in turn positively affects home-based exercise. This finding suggests that a multifaceted approach to wellness is essential. Swarbrick’s ‘8 Dimensions’ model is one such example. It identifies wellness-enhancing habits, routines and coping strategies for each of the eight dimensions. These include physical, spiritual, social, intellectual, emotional/mental and occupational. However, it is important to note that each dimension can impact all others. This is reflected in the overlapping circles of Swarbrick’s model.
Social
Having close relationships with people who are supportive and kind to us is an important part of social wellness. Having these relationships gives us a strong support system to help us cope with stress, adversity and changes in our lives. It also helps us to develop healthy communication skills.
Social wellness can include socialising with like-minded people such as joining a club or organisation, participating in group activities and volunteering. It can also be achieved by communicating with friends and family regularly and prioritising time for them. It also involves establishing healthy boundaries and learning to manage conflict in positive ways.
Having strong relationships can benefit our physical health too, as it increases feelings of belonging, boosts self-esteem and helps with recovery by providing an emotional support network. To improve your social wellness, try scheduling time to meet up with friends, joining a new social group or even taking up a group exercise class. You can also speak to a therapist who can assist you in identifying your strengths and areas for growth.
Spiritual
Spiritual wellness is a more personal dimension of wellness, involving finding meaning in life and a relationship with a higher power. Developing a belief system that makes sense to you, having the ability to spend reflective time alone, and practicing compassion and forgiveness are all considered part of spiritual wellness.
Volunteering is another way to foster spiritual wellness by taking a step outside of yourself and giving back to others. It also helps you feel connected to nature and the world at large, a key component of spiritual wellness.
Creative expression—like painting, music, and writing—is also a form of spiritual wellness. These activities allow you to express your thoughts and emotions in a meaningful way, and they can be therapeutic by helping you connect with your inner self. They can also induce a meditative state that promotes relaxation and connection to your spiritual self. Lastly, reading and learning are important aspects of spiritual wellness because they broaden your perspectives and deepen your understanding of the universe.
