Our wellbeing is made up of many dimensions and represent different areas of our lives. They are deeply interconnected and influence each other. If one area is out of balance, the other areas are affected as well.
Often, people tend to prioritise physical wellbeing over mental wellbeing. Running, walking, going to gym, swimming or playing sport are all great ways to look after our physical health. But wellbeing is more than just physical fitness and exercise. Focusing too much on one area only, is not a good long-term strategy.
A holistic approach to wellbeing considers the multidimensional aspects of health and wellbeing. These areas are separate yet interconnected and contribute to overall happiness and wellbeing.
So, what are these different areas of health and wellbeing?
- Physical – Balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep
- Mental – Resilience, ability to manage stress and cope with life’s challenges
- Emotional – Self-awareness, understand and express emotions appropriately
- Occupational – Personally meaningful and rewarding work, healthy work/life balance
- Social – Connection with others, supportive relationships, sense of belonging
- Spiritual – Finding meaning and purpose, personal values, principles and beliefs
- Intellectual – Mentally stimulating activities, curiosity and creativity
- Financial – Feeling secure, ability to budget and manage money, living within our means
Take a moment and think about your approach to health and wellbeing. Do you tend to go through life on autopilot? Do you wait until you get sick before you focus on your wellbeing? It’s so easy to get caught up in the chaos of everyday life. If you have been neglecting your health and wellbeing, it might be time for you to do something about it.
There’s no need to make drastic changes all at once.
Start small. Explore what works for you. Don’t aim for a perfect balance between all dimensions. The goal is to find a personally meaningful and healthy “balance” that feels right for you. It’s important to consider your unique needs and circumstances. Remember too, that your “balance” changes over time as you – and your priorities – change. Be flexible, otherwise you'll be just adding more stress into your life.
Holistic wellness is a lifestyle. It’s a continuous practice, not a destination. A holistic approach focuses on preventative measures to maintain and improve wellbeing. It’s about avoiding many common health issues before they even start. Yes, it’s easy for our lives to get busy and out of balance. And we often ignore things until it’s too late. But when it comes to our health and wellbeing, prevention is always better than cure.
Holistic wellbeing is all about finding balance and harmony in all areas of your life!
Eila Mikkonen
Counsellor, Clinical Supervisor, Coach & Mental Fitness Facilitator