According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA) published in their “Stress in America” report, about 70% of adults report feeling overwhelmed by the demands and pace of modern life, often putting their own health and well-being on the back burner. With the constant demands of work, social obligations and endless to-do lists, we often tend to neglect our health. Making time to manage our busy schedules or simply finding time to rest, leaves little to no room for focusing on our well-being.
But, balance is extremely important, and as Jana Kingsford says, “Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” .
So, how can you genuinely embrace and create a balanced lifestyle? It starts with understanding that holistic wellness involves more than just physical health; it’s about creating balance in every aspect of your life.
Understanding Holistic Wellness
There is more to holistic health than merely being free from disease. Holistic Wellness is a continuous and active lifelong process of making individual decisions to live a healthy and fulfilling life which involves taking care of your physical, mental, emotional, and social needs. You feel more alive and in overall better health when these components are in harmony .
Here’s a more in-depth look at the components of holistic wellness:
Physical Health:
This is the most visible and obvious sign of good health. It involves regular exercise, a balanced diet, proper sleep, and drinking lots of water. But keep in mind that maintaining good physical health involves adopting a routine that works for your body and lifestyle, not just pushing yourself to the limit.
Mental Health:
Mental well-being is very important for a balanced life. It involves managing stress, growing a positive mindset, and being “very mindful”. Activities like journaling, meditation, or even taking breaks when needed can greatly impact your mental clarity and overall mental health.
Emotional Health:
Unpopular opinion but your emotional state affects your overall health far more than you would think. Building strong and supportive relationships, expressing your feelings and being heard, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and peace are essential for emotional balance. It’s also important to remember that it’s absolutely okay to seek out support from your friends, family, or even a therapist when needed. Although this is not very common in Nigeria and a lot of other African cultures, it’s effect is underestimated.
Social Health:
Our well-being is greatly influenced by our social ties. A sense of fulfilment and belonging can be attained by creating a strong support system, taking part in worthwhile activities, and nurturing good relationships. That said, it’s important to pick and choose who we let into our lives because they also contribute to our health and wellbeing.
Common Problems with Achieving Holistic Wellness and Some Easy Fixes
Achieving holistic wellness involves balancing these physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health aspects. However, lots of people struggle on this journey. Understanding the common issues and exploring practical solutions can help in the long run to succeed with this.
Lack of Time:
Busy schedules often make it challenging to prioritize wellness activities. To address this, schedule wellness practices as fixed appointments in your daily routine and use techniques like time-blocking to create space for these activities. If you struggle with time management and productivity these 20 hacks will help. Read up on ways to maintain productivity and maximize time 20 Productivity Hacks for Professionals Like You.
Poor Sleep Quality:
Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and creating a restful environment by avoiding screens before bedtime to improve sleep hygiene are good fixes. Activities like reading or gentle stretching before sleep are helpful and evaluate lifestyle factors such as caffeine intake and stress that might be affecting your sleep quality.
Unhealthy Eating Habits:
Maintaining a balanced diet can be challenging, especially with a busy lifestyle. Plan and prepare meals in advance to ensure access to healthy options, and use tools like MyFitnessPal to track your nutrition and better your relationship with food.
Lack of Physical Activity:
A sedentary lifestyle can hinder overall wellness and physical health. Find physical activities that you enjoy, such as dancing or jogging, and integrate more movement into your daily routine by taking the stairs or walking during breaks.
Stress and Anxiety:
Heavy emotions can lead to instability and affect overall wellness. Practice emotional awareness and mindfulness techniques by identifying and acknowledging your feelings, meditate to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation, using apps like Headspace, Calm, Breathe and The Mindfulness App for guided sessions. Conversations with trusted friends or even professionals you look up to (You can do that by scheduling a session with Café Napa) are also good outlets.
Overwhelm from Information Overload:
The abundance of wellness information can lead to confusion and inaction. Simplify your approach by focusing on foundational wellness principles and gradually incorporating new practices.
Keeping all of this in mind the next step would be to create a “personal wellness plan’’. You may ask, “How do I do that?” First, you need to assess each area of your health as highlighted above. Think about your routines, habits, and pinpoint any areas you’d like to improve.
Creating Your Personal Wellness Plan
These steps also help you create your own game plan for personal wellness:
Set realistic goals:
Start with small, achievable goals. For instance, if you’re new to exercise, start with 10-minute daily workouts and gradually increase the duration. For dietary changes, focus on incorporating one new healthy food into your diet and taking out one unhealthy one each week. Try writing down your moods and major feelings about your day in a little book/journal.
Develop healthy habits:
Incorporate habits that support your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This might include regular physical activity, mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling etc, or establishing a consistent sleep schedule (which is very important because a messy sleep schedule often shows up in your daytime demeanour).
Prioritize self-care:
Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a necessity. Schedule time for activities that recharge you, whether it’s a hobby, reading, cooking, art, etc., relaxation, or spending time with loved ones. Make it a non-negotiable part of your routine. Activities that feel like a breath of fresh air and make you feel refreshed go a long way in improving your quality of life.
Seek support:
Don’t hesitate to reach out for help to any degree. Joining communities like Built4Balance can provide you with resources, support, and motivation for the different hurdles in your life. Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you.
Track your progress and successes:
Keep a journal or use a wellness app to monitor your progress. Reflect on your achievements, no matter how tiny, and adjust your goals and expectations as needed. Celebrating your successes as well, treat yourself for the small wins. All of these are motivators to continue the positive behaviour.
Achieving balance is a continuous journey rather than a final destination. By focusing on holistic health and making small, intentional changes, you can create a more harmonious and fulfilling life. Remember, balance doesn’t mean perfection; it means finding what works best for you and making adjustments as needed. So, start your journey today! Explore these holistic wellness tips and create your personal wellness plan. Dive in and take the first step towards a healthier, more balanced you.
