People often use the terms health and wellness synonymously, but these related words have different definitions. Health is when your body and mind are free of illness. Meanwhile, wellness refers to the dynamic process of living a fulfilling life. You cannot be healthy without holistic wellness, and vice versa.
This National Wellness Month, you can improve wellness by striving for balance in your physical, social and emotional health.
Physical Health
By eating a diet full of whole, unprocessed foods and getting enough exercise, you’ll pave the way to peak physical health.
Foods that benefit your physical well-being include:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Heart-healthy fats
- Lean protein
- Whole grains and complex carbohydrates
Eating a balanced diet can prevent chronic illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By making smarter food choices, you can also improve your mood and have more energy to get through each day.
Social Health
Social health is a facet of wellness because people evolved to collaborate and live in communal groups. Isolation and loneliness are common complaints among American adults, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these problems.
Research suggests that having strong friendships is a secret to longevity and happiness. To improve your social health, here are some things you can try.
- Join a recreational sports team.
- Volunteer in your community for a cause that’s meaningful to you.
- Sign up for an in-person or online class.
- Find a pen pal.
- Reach out to people you haven’t talked to in a while and let them know you’re thinking of them.
Emotional Health
Emotionally healthy people are more resilient in the face of life’s challenges. They are self-aware enough to notice when they have a problem they can’t solve on their own. Being emotionally healthy doesn’t mean you never feel stress, anger or sadness, but that you know how to cope with these complex emotions when they arise.
Emotional health is a skill you can actively work to improve. Try methods like these.
- Make time to focus on your self-care.
- Recognize the warning signs of burnout, and strive to create a healthy work-life balance.
- Set boundaries with friends and family members.
- Try to become more mindful by practicing meditation.
- Start a gratitude journal.
- Find more purpose in your life by focusing on things that bring you the most joy and fulfillment.
- When you feel stressed, use coping mechanisms like yoga and controlled breathing exercises.
- Get at least seven hours of restful sleep every night.
Discover Holistic Wellness at Pillars Recovery
Pillars Recovery is an accredited addiction treatment center in beautiful, sunny Southern California. We believe nobody deserves to live with the burden of shame and guilt that accompanies addiction, and our treatment professionals provide a blend of options that can put you on track to lead a fulfilling, sober life.
We have seen firsthand that recovering from a substance use disorder is possible with time, patience and evidence-based therapies. To learn more, please reach out to us today.
