Mental Health and Wellness
Health and Wellness are words thrown around a lot without much thought as to what that encompasses. We are generally taught to care for our physical selves via daily tasks like brushing our teeth, taking a shower, eating, drinking water, going for annual check-ups with our doctor, etc., etc. What are we really taught about taking care of our mental health though? Until recently, this was a topic very much off limits, maybe a little taboo. And more, what are we taught about how our mental and physical health impact, intertwine, and interact with each other? Its all probably too much to tackle in a blog post, but lets give it a shot!
I really love the concept of the Wellness Wheel. I have used this with clients in many different settings and situations, and I think it's always helpful to have a visual!
The Wellness Wheel demonstrates that health and wellness are intricate concepts impacted by a variety of factors. Each of these factors may cause or relieve stress, anxiety, and feeling like being overwhelmed. I also like to point out that wellness is not primarily determined by external factors OR our internal selves. These two ebb and flow.
There are certainly things we can do to set ourselves up for success, and knowing our individual health history and vulnerabilities will help us to determine how we do this. Below are some of my personal go-to’s!
Pack a snack! (of course your friendly, neighborhood dietitian wants you to eat) I get really irritable and exhausted when I get hungry, and sometimes I have a busy day that just doesn’t allow me to stop for my midday meal when I want. I like to pack things like protein bars and peanut butter pretzels so I can get some carbohydrates and protein to hold me over until lunch.
Bring your reusable water bottle EVERYWHERE. I do this so that I can always have access to sips of water. This keeps me hydrated and helps me maintain my energy throughout the day. (Also, helps SO MUCH with digestion!) This is also a great way to avoid plastic water bottles.
Find a small spiritual practice. Anything from sitting in nature, to skiing, to reading your spiritual book of choice. Find ways to connect with the world outside of yourself. This will provide meaning, respite, hopefully peace to your day.
Read about or listen to something you are interested in. Spend a few minutes just for yourself. I have taken to listening to audiobooks and found this to be an easy way to fit in some intellectual stimulation not related to my professional life.
Write down some goals! These can be financial, professional, or even relational goals. Writing them down should help you feel oriented and motivated to reach your goals. It will also help you to break them down into smaller steps so that you can easy attain them.
If you want to learn more about the Wellness Wheel, check out Yale School of Medicine’s website here!
