How do you define ‘health’ or ‘wellbeing’? What is it to actually be healthy, or well? How can you measure it; or recognise it in yourself or others? Is it even achievable in today’s busy world?
Being well is often defined as “not having a diagnosed disease,” however, the true definition is much more than this. According to the Macmillian Dictionary goes one further with the suggestion that it is the “satisfactory state that someone or something should be in, that involves such things as being happy, healthy, and safe, and having enough money.” The World Health Organisation defines Optimal Health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
There are areas of the World, where levels of health and life expectancy are higher than others – these areas are collectively called ‘Blue Zones.’ Research has shown that in addition to a healthy diet and consistent exercise, the population of these areas are also consistently getting sufficient sleep and have solid spiritual, family and social networks.
The business of wellbeing is multifactorial. Research has shown that it is not just what you eat and how you move that contribute to how well you are, it is a more complicated picture of also having good mental health, a high level of satisfaction with your life, a sense of meaning or purpose, and the ability to manage your stress levels.
While it is not necessary to feel that every single one of the elements below is at its best, you cannot enjoy an overall sense of wellness without having some kind of balance in these key elements:
Physical – this includes what you eat and how active you are.
Emotional – your ability to cope with everyday life as well as how you think and feel about yourself.
Social – the extent to which you feel you belong and social inclusion. Rolled into this are your relationships with others, and your values, beliefs and traditions.
Spiritual. This is the ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life. Achieved through being connected to our inner self, to nature or even a higher power.
Intellectual. It is important to gain and maintain intellectual wellness as it helps us to expand our knowledge and skills in order to live an enjoyable and successful life.
Economic – your ability to meet your basic needs and feel a sense of security.
How can you measure how well you are doing?
There are tools I use in my clinical and health-coaching practice that help you identify what areas of your life might need some support to be more fulfilling. The experience of ‘wellness’ is very subjective. We are all defined by different values and goals, which means we find fulfilment in different ways. It is not for others to tell you how well (or otherwise) you are doing at your own wellbeing. Your priorities in life are likely to differ from most others, and the importance you place on different areas of your life such as health, weight, fitness, energy levels, personal achievements, work/career, sense of purpose, happiness, fun, family life, social life and friendships, and (last but not least) ‘me time’ is likely to be unique.
It’s completely normal for people to discover they are satisfied with some areas of their lives and very unsatisfied with others. Remember that this is really a helicopter view, allowing you the luxury of evaluating the whole of your life and not piecemeal. Identifying those areas that might require some TLC also allows you to come up with actions that can help improve your satisfaction and overall health.