Lately there has been a lot of talk about the importance of work-life balance for our overall health and wellness. Achieving life balance is the key to health and wellness. To achieve life balance we need to care for our mind-body-spiritual wellbeing. It simply refers to an individual’s mental, physical, and spiritual health.
The cause of life imbalance
In this fast paced world we are all struggling to keep life-work balance. This has lead to all sorts of modern-day stress related illnesses. Work doesn't necessarily have to refer to paid work. Trying to meet life's challenges, responsibilities and demands is all 'work' no matter what our job or title.
The problem lies when we only focus on our work, our responsibilities and meeting the needs of others but forget about meeting our own needs. Failing to have life balance can lead to our whole body being out of balance. It can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and being burnt-out physically and emotionally.
The mind-body-spirit connection
In western medicine, the body is often treated as a physical or mental state only, whilst ignoring the spiritual state altogether. This approach may cure symptoms but often fails to treat underlying issues. In the holistic approach, the body is viewed as three interconnected states; physical, mental and spiritual. Addressing the body as a connection of mind-body-spirit leads to optimal health and wellbeing.
Achieving life balance is the key to optimal health and wellness..
Wellness of the mind
The mind comprises what you think, believe, and feel. It involves patterns of thoughts, emotions and behaviours that result from it. It is essentially the mental state of the person. To have a healthy mind begins with analysing patterns of thoughts, positive thoughts will lead to positive behaviours and vice versa. Start by becoming more mindful of any negative thoughts or limiting beliefs. Then when you catch a negative thought or belief you must challenge and change them to more positive ideas. For example if you have tried to lose weight in the past but failed chances are you have negative thought patterns around yourself or your body image. Having a positive mindset around your ability to reach a healthier lifestyle and body weight is the key to succeeding in the future.
Wellness of the Body
The body is our physical state in the world. Physical wellness involves aspects of health related to the body. The body needs movement (excercise), energy (nutrition) and periods of rest (sleep or relaxation) to function properly. Having a healthy body begins with honouring your body and treating it with utmost respect. It means that we listen to our body and what it tells us. Lack of energy or pain in the body is often a tell-tale sign that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Sometimes our mental or spiritual ailments can manifest themselves physically as well.
Wellness of the Spirit
Whatever your religion or beliefs, as humans we all have a need to be connected to something higher than ourselves and to derive meaning in life. Spirituality means feeling connection to all things, to God, to the universe, to the rest of humanity, the world, a higher self, a higher purpose or anything that gives us meaning and purpose in life. Spiritual wellness means that you feel at peace and harmony in life. No matter what life throws at you, you will find hope and strength to keep you going. Lack of spirituality has been linked to depression and other mental illnesses.
To be spiritual is different for everyone. The important thing to remember is that we need spiritual connection for optimal health and wellness. Things like meditation, prayer, spending time in nature, contemplating on the universe and other creations are all ways to improve your spiritual connection and hence your wellbeing.
To conclude...
In the end, it is important to note
that health and wellbeing should be viewed from a holistic lens. We are multi-dimensional with a mental, physical and spiritual state. Our life-style choices directly affects our mind-body-spirit balance. Making concious decisions to keep our mind, body and spirit in balance is the key to optimal health and wellbeing.
Maria A Kader
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