Your Whole-Self Wellness Journey: : A Modern Guide for Busy Lives »

We live in such a fast-paced world, that prioritizing well-being can feel like a luxury. Between running a small business, pursuing a conscious lifestyle, and navigating daily life, it can be easy for us to neglect self-care. But here's the secret: true whole self-wellness isn't a destination, it's a journey.

Whole-self wellness is also more than just physical health, and this journey isn't about achieving a picture-perfect life on social media. It encompasses a holistic approach to well-being, considering every part of your life - body, mind, spirit, soul - your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial health. Where your feelings and relationships & bank balance.

• Physical health: The state or condition of various aspects of well-being. Physical health is the condition that your body is in and how well it is functioning - regular exercise, good nutrition, and enough sleep.
• Mental health: Where cognitive functioning comes into place: thoughts, feelings, and behaviors perceived.
• Emotional health: The capability to handle emotions in healthy ways.
• Spiritual health: Being connected to something larger than oneself (whether this means through religion, nature, or some other philosophy).
• Social health: Relationships with others and being able to connect with one's community.
• Financial health: Finances and being able to manage your money well.

Paying attention to every aspect of your well-being will lead you a to a more fulfilled and meaningful life.

One of the biggest challenges to living and maintaining a whole-self wellness life in our world today is lack of time. When you're busy juggling work, family, and your social life, it can not only be challenging but feel impossible to include self-care activities into your daily routine. Here are some ideas to help manage stress and make wellness fit into your schedule:

• Prioritize: The greatest investment you can make towards your well-being should not be negotiable. Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity thus it should be considered as you would any important meeting or appointment.
• Combine: Opt for adding wellness activities into other tasks that one has to do anyway. For instance, instead of listening to a book while jogging, you could converse with a friend while jogging or meditate while in a queue.
• Micro-habits: Integrate individual, doable and simple wellness activities into your everyday schedule. This could be just taking a few deep breaths through out the day or doing a few exercises that require no equipment at all.
• Delegate and say no: It’s okay to say no or delegate when you are overwhelmed or when you can’t handle something on your own. First of all, the individual needs to take care of him or herself.

The other typical hurdles to wellness include stress and burnout. Stress is a silent killer and when it is chronic, it will affect not only your physical well-being but also your mental health as well. Here are some techniques to help you manage stress:

• Mindfulness: Employ the use of other relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises or yoga to assist you to remain focused and relaxed.
• Time management: When well managed, time can be used in a way that minimizes stress resulting from procrastination and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
• Healthy lifestyle: Stress can also be managed by taking a healthy diet, exercising as well as ensuring that you get enough sleep.
• Seek support: Share your stress with friends or family members and if possible consider speaking to a counselor.

Last of all, motivation can be considered one of the issues the majority of the people face. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated on your wellness journey:

• Set realistic goals: This way you will not be overwhelmed by the goals you have set, which in essence are very good and very achievable.
• Find a workout buddy: It is good to have a workout partner as it assists in making you answerable to someone.
• Celebrate your successes: It is important to motivate yourself in order to achieve set wellness goals and this can be done by rewarding yourself.
• Visualize your desired outcome: If you want to know how you’ll feel when you start attaining the wellness goals, you will find it helpful in motivating you.

Physical Health

• Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Find activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, dancing, or hiking.
• Nutrition: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.  
• Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Create a relaxing bedtime routine and ensure your sleep environment is dark, quiet, and cool.

Mental and Emotional Health

• Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to reduce stress and improve focus.
• Journaling: Write in a journal to express your thoughts and feelings, process emotions, and gain self-awareness.
• Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your mental and emotional health.

Spiritual Wellness

• Gratitude: Practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal or expressing gratitude to others.
• Connection with nature: My personal favorite - spend time in nature to connect with something larger than yourself.
• Religious or philosophical beliefs: Explore your spiritual beliefs and engage in practices that resonate with you.

Social Wellness

• Build relationships: Spend time with loved ones and cultivate meaningful connections.
• Volunteer: Give back to your community and connect with others who share your values.
• Join social groups: Participate in activities or clubs that align with your interests.

Financial Wellness

• Create a budget: Track your income and expenses to understand your financial situation.
• Save for the future: Set aside money for emergencies and long-term goals like retirement.
• Seek financial advice: Consult with a financial advisor to develop a personalized financial plan.

With a better understanding of whole-self wellness, it's time to create a personalized plan to address your specific needs and goals.

Here are some steps to follow:

• Self-assessment: Evaluate your current wellness levels in each of the six areas (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and financial). Identify your strengths and areas for improvement.
• Set goals: Establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for each area of your wellness.
• Create a routine: Develop a daily or weekly routine that incorporates your wellness goals. Be flexible and adjust your routine as needed.
• Track your progress: Monitor your progress toward your goals and celebrate your successes.
• Seek support: Surround yourself with people who support your wellness journey and consider joining a wellness community.

Want to learn more ways you can Whole-Self Wellness into your daily life? Here are some additional great reads and resources:

• Finding Peace in Tough Times: How to Stay Calm When Life Gets Hard
• 8 Ways to Take Care of Your Spiritual Health
• 5 Types of Self-Care for Every Area of Your Life
• How to Be Your Whole Self

- This post was edited with AI