True or False: Wellness is Only about Physical Health

Written by Branda Polk

Wouldn’t life be easier if we could compartmentalize the areas, and one area wouldn’t impact the others? If emotional loss didn’t bring about spiritual unrest, if mental stress didn’t cause negative physical symptoms, or if physical pain didn’t lead to mental, emotional and spiritual turmoil? Yes, life would be easier if each area of a person fit neatly into its own little box. But it doesn’t, because we are not robots that are programmed for predictable responses. We are human beings with interconnected circuitries that impact, interact and join with each other. We are whole people and when one area celebrates, all areas celebrate. But when one area suffers, all areas suffer. 

 

True or False:  Wellness is only about physical health. False. When you go to the doctor for your annual check-up, he usually focuses on your vital sign and the results of testing to determine if you are healthy. But, even medical research is now showing that the layers of humanity are wrapped together so tightly that isolating one area, such as physical health, and saying a person is “healthy” is a questionable diagnosis. When God created humans he designed us to be whole people with emotions, minds, souls, and bodies. Wellness is a term used to describe healthy balance between each area of life. Each component plays a vital role in total wellness.

Wellness is not a destination, but a journey toward balance in all areas of health. While it can be productive to set goals in one area that needs improvement, like losing weight, growing spiritually, or reducing stress, it is counter-productive to focus on this goal at the expense of the other areas of life. The benefits of balancing one’s self spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically can include but are not limited to:

• Greater personal awareness. You can identify your strengths and weaknesses and begin to balance them.

• Increased sense of well-being even in challenging times. You know you are more than your circumstances and can choose healthy ways to handle the challenges.

• Decrease competition between areas of life since all areas are working together. (ie: exercise becomes a spiritual, emotional and mental benefit as well as a physical benefit)

• Spiritual growth allows for emotional, mental and physical growth also.

Are you on a wellness journey or are you struggling trying to compartmentalize areas of your life? Instead of battling within yourself for which part will take prominence, seek to find a balance in each area. 

Branda Polk, B.S. Exercise Science, is a certified personal trainer, wellness coach, conference speaker and health writer in Lebanon, Tennessee. Sign up for Branda's newsletter, Wellness Connection, to receive encouragement and coaching in the areas of nutrition, exercise, and stress relief. Follow Branda on Twitter.

Share your thoughts with other readers:  Post Comments   Rate this Article