The total state of wholeness a human being can aim for is known as wellness. Although proper nutrition and sufficient exercise are crucial parts of wellness, they are just two of the five pillars that make up holistic wellness.
Physical
Physical wellness is composed of many smaller parts, like body mass index (BMI), glucose blood levels, organ system functions, musculature, endurance, and the rest. Physical exams done annually at a doctor’s office allow monitoring and regulation of the said wellness factors. More than that, a physician can also refer a patient to a specialist, such as an internist or pulmonologist, if the need arises.
Emotional
In emotional wellness, a person is able to regulate and compartmentalize his emotions. Emotional self-regulation is how the person identifies and controls how he feels towards situations and life in general. It also helps in pinpointing specific triggers that incite emotional problems. In the same manner, compartmentalization is a psychological dynamic that lets the person detach himself from usually damaging emotions – for instance, when a person is in the middle of a traumatic experience or reeling from its effects.
Social
Socialization is inherent in the human circuitry. In short, people will reach out to one another as a need. We all look for that feeling of belonging. Engaging in positive social interactions make us feel rewarded with that belongingness. This is basic positive reinforcement whose principle also rings true for toxic relationships being damaging to health, and happier relationships creating the opposite impact. Therefore, it is logical to assume that strong, healthy social ties is critical to achieving total wellness.
Spiritual
Spiritual wellness can means many different things to a person, depending on his religious or even cultural background. In any case, it is important to nurture one’s personality by devoting time to it on a regular basis. It gives one that feeling of being grounded.
Intellectual
Lastly, the human mind is as diverse as the body. For several people, the desire for intellectual engagement and thought-provoking socialization should be given the same priority as physical health needs. Without it, they feel incomplete. Indeed, learning is a pivotal part of life. Every time we read science journals, hone our skills and learn new ones, or analyze classic music, we are opened up to a whole different world where we may find ideas or viewpoints that contrast our own, and then learn from that disparity. Cognitive engagement is probably the most stimulating activity we can do in this world.
At the end of the day, we are all looking for complete wellness, and unless we improve ourselves in each of the above-mentioned aspects, it can never be achievable for us. There will be many temptations, but discipline very crucial.
