Note: This article is one part of a multi-part series called “How To Be Successful: A Young Adult’s Roadmap.” Prioritizing Health is STEP 7 out of 10, and I would greatly encourage you to read the full roadmap and its accompanying articles to have all the tools to create your own success.
young and invincible
Do you remember your teenage years fondly? Making reckless decisions, eating junk food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, only seeing the doctor once in a blue moon? Maybe you had a lot of sex partners, or experimented with drugs and alcohol. Or your favorite way to spend an evening was by pulling an all-nighter with your friends, only finally crashing in the afternoon the next day.
Then your early twenties came, and you were working that crappy job, pulling in just enough cash to survive and treat yourself to some McDonald’s every once in awhile. Maybe you were in college, living off of coffee and marijuana, driving everywhere over the speed limit (just me?), and sleeping in until 2pm on your days off.
Many of us spend a decade or more living like this, especially if we were never really taught the value of health, nutrition, and wellness (sorry to every P.E. teacher I’ve ever had, I hated your class). Or maybe you’ve been an athlete since elementary school, but life got in the way of your love for sport, or you decided to explore other interests as you got older.
No matter how you got there, here you are. Inevitably older, a few pounds heavier, with some new emotional baggage, and still coping with some bad habits that just won’t die. In this article, we will explore the concept of holistic health, understanding its various dimensions, and discuss the significance of making positive changes in our lives. It’s time to embrace a holistic approach to well-being and discover the profound impact it can have on our lives.
The Power of Holistic Health
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to focus solely on our physical health while neglecting other crucial aspects of our well-being. However, true wellness encompasses more than just our bodies. Holistic health recognizes that we are complex beings, with interconnected physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions. By embracing a holistic approach, we can unlock the transformative power of comprehensive well-being and live a more fulfilling life.
Mind Body Whole Wellness Workbook
This workbook features over one hundred writing prompts and over a dozen activities to help you discover insightful and easy-to-implement ways to improve your health and wellness. By the end of the workbook, you will have fostered a deeper understanding of your mind-body connection, physical and emotional health, and have a renewed sense of self-love and appreciation.
life keeps moving
Sometimes it feels like it was only yesterday, but other times it’s moving so fast that you wonder where all the time has gone. Maybe you’re still young like me, but watching 30 creep closer and closer. Or maybe you’ve lived this way for decades, afraid or not feeling strong enough to make a change.
Some people never change their habits, and especially in the case of drugs and alcohol, it inevitably leads them to an early death. Others neglect their mental health so much that they fall victim to depression and suicide. Many more eat, smoke, or otherwise find their way to heart disease, cancer, or another disease.
“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.”
— Joyce Sunada, Wellness Coach and Speaker
Wherever you are and however long you’ve been there, now is the time to prioritize your health and wellbeing. Not tomorrow, not next week, and not next year. I’m not talking about getting in shape for your swimsuit or finally trying the keto diet. I’m talking about making room for your whole being and finding ways to nurture yourself in every aspect of wellness.
holistic health
Your health is more than just physical; it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual. It’s a balance of various factors that together create your overall well-being. Adopting a holistic approach to health can provide numerous benefits for your body and mind, and it also makes it easier to find a starting point for adopting healthy changes in your life. Dr. Peggy Swarbrick, a Professor and Associate Director at the Center of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Studies is well-known for determining the eight dimensions of wellness:
- Physical: Physical wellness is concerned with a healthy body and what makes the physical body function well. This area of wellness includes topics such as physical activity and exercise, nutrition and diet, sleep, preventive medicine and healthcare, and risky behaviors (i.e., use of alcohol/drugs, seatbelts, sunscreen).
- Emotional/Mental: Emotional wellness, also commonly referred to as mental health, focuses on a healthy mind and emotions. Being emotionally well is a process of identifying and expressing feelings, adjusting to and coping with stressors, taking care of oneself, and finding enjoyment in life.
- Intellectual: Intellectual wellness is centered around a healthy brain and intellect. This area of wellness expands on education and learning, personal interests and hobbies, games and puzzles, perspective-taking, and discussions.
- Spiritual: Spiritual wellness functions as a centering and cultivation of one’s spirit — personal beliefs, values, purpose, and meaning. Topics in this realm include exploring personal strengths and values, searching for greater meaning and purpose, participating in religious services and traditions, mindfulness, and appreciation for life and nature.
- Social: Social wellness encompasses the life-giving relationships and support in one’s life. This area of wellness includes friendship, family, community; belonging, love, support; quality time and interaction with others.
- Environmental: Environmental wellness emphasizes safety and conscientiousness. Specific areas include preserving and harnessing clean air, food, and water; access and use of community safety resources; making surroundings clean, pleasant, and rejuvenating; and spending time in nature.
- Occupational: Occupational wellness is involved with the balance, peace, and purpose we experience in our work, whether that be in a career or defined area of employment, service or volunteering, or other role or identity.
- Financial: Financial wellness is about monetary and material security. To be financially well does not mean that one has to be “wealthy,” but that one is intentional with possessions and gifts, and that they steward them appropriately.
– Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Ultimately, the goal of these dimensions is to achieve balance and harmony in all aspects of life, leading to greater overall well-being and a greater sense of connection to the world around us. By focusing on the whole person, rather than just individual symptoms or ailments, holistic health offers a comprehensive and integrated approach to health and wellness that can help individuals achieve optimal well-being in all areas of life.
Embracing the power of holistic health allows us to see ourselves as multifaceted beings, deserving of comprehensive care. By reflecting on our past habits, understanding the various dimensions of holistic health, and recognizing their interconnectedness, we lay the foundation for a transformative journey towards overall well-being. In the following sections, we will explore practical steps to prioritize and nurture each dimension of our health, empowering ourselves to live a truly fulfilling life.
How to Prioritize Your Health & Well-Being
We all want to live a long and healthy life, but many of us tend to put off taking care of our health until later. We think that we have plenty of time to exercise, eat healthy, and get enough sleep, but the truth is that there’s no time like the present to start taking care of ourselves.
start now, not later
Your health is your most valuable asset. Without good health, we can’t enjoy any other parts of our lives. So, it’s important to prioritize your health and make it a top priority. By focusing on your health now, you’re investing in your current and future selves.
Mind Body Whole Wellness Workbook
This workbook features over one hundred writing prompts and over a dozen activities to help you discover insightful and easy-to-implement ways to improve your health and wellness. By the end of the workbook, you will have fostered a deeper understanding of your mind-body connection, physical and emotional health, and have a renewed sense of self-love and appreciation.
When it comes to our health, prevention is easier and more affordable than treatment. By focusing on maintaining good health habits like regular exercise and a healthy diet, you can prevent chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. If we wait until we’re sick to start taking care of ourselves, it can be much harder, and sometimes impossible, to recover.
Your health is your most valuable asset. Without good health, we cannot fully enjoy or pursue other aspects of our lives. By prioritizing your well-being now, you are making an investment in your current and future self. Taking proactive steps to maintain good health can help prevent chronic illnesses, improve overall quality of life, and increase longevity. Remember that small, consistent actions towards self-care can yield significant long-term benefits.
Additionally, preventive measures play a crucial role in maintaining good health and well-being. Regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations are essential in identifying and addressing potential health issues early on. By participating in preventive healthcare, you can detect and manage health conditions before they become more severe. Additionally, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques, can significantly reduce the risk of developing various diseases.
Small Changes, Big Impact
When it comes to improving our well-being, the idea of making significant lifestyle changes can feel overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that small changes can have a big impact on our overall health and well-being. By breaking down the process into manageable steps and embracing simple habits, we can make significant strides towards a healthier and more balanced life. In this section, we’ll discuss achievable changes that can positively impact our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Sometimes, the prospect of completely transforming our habits and routines can feel daunting. To make the process more manageable, it’s helpful to break down the changes into smaller, achievable steps. Set realistic goals and focus on one area of well-being at a time. By taking small, consistent actions, we can create lasting habits and gradually build a healthier lifestyle.
simple habits for a healthier life
It’s often the small, everyday habits that have the most significant impact on our well-being. Here are some simple habits that you can start today to prioritize your health and contribute to your wellbeing:
Physical Well-being:
- Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine, such as taking a walk, practicing yoga, or engaging in a favorite sport.
- Opt for nutritious food choices, such as incorporating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your meals.
- Prioritize regular sleep patterns and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Stay hydrated by drinking an adequate amount of water throughout the day.
Emotional Well-being:
- Practice self-care activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
- Nurture your relationships by making time for loved ones and engaging in meaningful conversations.
- Develop stress management techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling.
- Seek support from trusted friends, family, or professionals when needed.
Mental Well-being:
- Engage in activities that stimulate your mind, such as puzzles, brain games, or learning new skills.
- Prioritize self-reflection and personal growth through practices like mindfulness or setting aside time for introspection.
- Challenge negative thoughts and cultivate a positive mindset by practicing gratitude and affirmations.
- Set realistic goals and break them down into actionable steps to enhance motivation and a sense of achievement.
Mind Body Whole Wellness Workbook
This workbook features over one hundred writing prompts and over a dozen activities to help you discover insightful and easy-to-implement ways to improve your health and wellness. By the end of the workbook, you will have fostered a deeper understanding of your mind-body connection, physical and emotional health, and have a renewed sense of self-love and appreciation.
Spiritual Well-being:
- Explore your personal beliefs and values through practices like meditation, prayer, or attending spiritual gatherings.
- Connect with nature and find moments of awe and wonder in the world around you.
- Engage in acts of kindness and service to others, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and purpose.
- Practice mindfulness and presence in your daily activities to cultivate a deeper connection with the present moment.
Small changes can lead to significant transformations in our overall well-being. By breaking down the overwhelming task of lifestyle changes and embracing simple habits, we can make sustainable progress towards a healthier and more balanced life. Whether it’s prioritizing physical activity, nurturing emotional well-being, stimulating mental growth, or nourishing spiritual connection, every small step matters. Remember, it’s the cumulative effect of these small changes that creates a profound impact on our health and well-being. Embrace the power of small changes and embark on a journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
you deserve to feel your best
If you’re still hesitant, remember that you deserve to feel your best. Deciding to prioritize your health isn’t just about preventing illnesses or living a long life. It’s also about feeling good in your own body and living with vitality and energy. When you focus on your health, you feel more alive, happier, and more productive in all areas of your life.
So, start today. Take a walk, drink more water, go to therapy, quit a bad habit, and make healthier food choices.
You owe it to yourself to care for yourself the way you care for your loved ones. Living a healthy life is an act of self-love.
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