A Cure For Wellness
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced, demanding, multi active and driven life, achieving wellness is becoming more important. Key mindfulness activities are coming into business, celebrities, influencers and more. Stress, anxiety, and burnout have become all too common as we strive to excel in our personal and professional lives.
However, there is a cure for wellness that encompasses a holistic approach, focusing on key aspects such as diet, nutrition, fitness, health, life planning, and mindfulness. In this article, we explore how each of these components plays a vital role in achieving a balanced and fulfilling life. You can start to plan and integrate Wellness into your life and see it benefit your health, relationships, work life and more.
At the Wellness Within Club, we define wellness as anything that is preventing your from being, feeling, thinking or functioning to the utmost of your ability.
1. Diet and Nutrition: Fueling Your Body for Optimal Health
The foundation of a cure for wellness lies in our diet and nutrition. A well-balanced and nutrient-rich diet provides our bodies with the necessary fuel to function optimally. Emphasize fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats in your meals. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive caffeine intake, as they can negatively impact your energy levels and overall well-being. Some advisors even go so far as say eliminate them from your life as they have no clear health benefits that out-weight their negative impact!
Facts and Stats
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables is a significant global health concern. They estimate that worldwide, only 1 in 5 adults consumes the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, which is approximately 400 grams per day. This means that 4 out of 5 adults are not meeting the minimum daily intake of fruits and vegetables, potentially missing out on essential nutrients and health benefits that these foods offer.
This statistic highlights the importance of prioritizing a well-balanced diet that includes an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. By incorporating more plant-based foods into our meals, we can significantly improve our nutritional intake and support our overall health and well-being.
Warning: Nutritionists advise against blending/smoothie making your diet intact as it looses essential fibre and leads to sugar spikes (our diet/nutritional coaches in the Wellness Within Club talk more about this).
Question:
Will you be able to take up one of our club challenges to have more fruit and vegetables over a fixed amount of time. You can assess yourself before and after.
2. Fitness: Embracing an Active Lifestyle
Regular physical activity is crucial for achieving wellness. Engaging in fitness activities not only improves our physical health but also boosts our mood and mental well-being. Find an exercise routine that you enjoy, whether it’s jogging, dancing, yoga, or swimming. Consistency is key, so aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week, as recommended by health experts.
There are different approaches to starting, depending upon your starting point (recovering from injury, having a lifestyle of almost zero exercise, recovering from pregnancy). Also new research shows different activates have different outcomes (e.g. recent research is showing that planning is effective for lowering blood pressure). So depending upon your outcome and goal, the specific type may depend on what you choose.
Facts and Stats
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for global mortality. They estimate that approximately 1 in 4 adults worldwide does not meet the minimum recommended levels of physical activity. Insufficient physical activity can contribute to various health issues, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
The WHO recommends that adults aged 18-64 should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Additionally, they suggest incorporating muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week.
This statistic highlights the importance of embracing an active lifestyle and engaging in regular physical activity for our overall health and well-being. By making a conscious effort to stay physically active, we can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, boost our mood, and improve our quality of life.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that regular physical activity can have a significant impact on life expectancy. The researchers analyzed data from over 300,000 participants from different countries and found that individuals who engaged in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week had a 28% lower risk of premature death compared to those who were inactive.
This study highlights the remarkable influence of an active lifestyle on overall health and longevity. Incorporating regular physical activity into your daily routine can not only improve your quality of life but also increase your chances of living a longer and healthier life. Whether it’s walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, or any other form of exercise, every step towards embracing an active lifestyle brings you closer to reaping these long-term benefits for your well-being.
Question:
Do you want to do our exercise challenge? The Swap Challenge or the 3 Times One? Designed to help you gently ease your way to a more active lifestyle (challenges are inside our club).
3. Health: Prioritizing Your Well-Being
To achieve a cure for wellness, it’s vital to prioritize your health. At our club, we do not engage in offering medical advice, but we always advise those who need support to get professional medical advice.
Aside from fitness, diet and nutrition; you may want to try other activities. For instance, this is from the BBC website based on some interesting research:
Carrying the shopping, gardening, or vacuuming, can help older people to lead healthier lives for longer, according to leading physiotherapists.
They warn that millions of older people risk falls because they are failing to maintain their strength.
Nearly a quarter of over-65s don’t do any strength exercises, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) says.
And it warns that the rise of internet shopping means fewer people carry home their groceries.
Physiotherapists say not enough people realise the need to maintain strength as we age.
NHS guidelines suggest people do two strengthening sessions a week, such as exercising with weights, or lifting and carrying heavy loads such as groceries.
But a survey of more than 2,000 older people in the UK, carried out on behalf of the CSP, found nearly a quarter do no strengthening exercises at all.
Facts and Stats
A study published in the journal “Psychological Science” found that individuals who prioritize their well-being and engage in self-care activities are more likely to experience reduced levels of stress and improved overall health. The researchers discovered that people who consistently practiced self-care and made time for activities that brought them joy had lower cortisol levels, which is a hormone associated with stress.
This fact underscores the importance of taking care of your well-being and making time for self-care practices in your daily life. Engaging in activities that promote relaxation, joy, and contentment can have a significant positive impact on your stress levels and contribute to better overall health and mental well-being. Prioritizing self-care is not just a luxury; it is a crucial aspect of maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.
Question:
As well as choosing a fitness challenge above, what can you do to help strengthen yourself and maintain strength as you age.
4. Life Planning: Discovering Purpose and Balance
A life plan provides direction and clarity, helping you set meaningful goals and prioritize what truly matters to you. Reflect on your values, passions, and aspirations. Create short-term and long-term goals that align with your vision for the future. A well-thought-out life plan enables you to make conscious decisions that contribute to your overall well-being and fulfillment.
Facts and Stats
Research conducted by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at the Dominican University of California, revealed the power of writing down goals and creating a concrete plan. In her study, participants were divided into different groups, and each group had varying degrees of goal-setting activities. The results showed that those who wrote down their goals, shared their goals with a friend, and sent weekly progress reports to that friend were 33% more likely to achieve their goals than those who simply formulated goals in their minds.
This study highlights the significance of creating a life plan with specific, written goals and sharing them with someone supportive. Writing down your goals and regularly tracking your progress can significantly increase your chances of success and achievement. A well-structured life plan not only provides direction and motivation but also holds you accountable, making it more likely for you to accomplish your aspirations and live a more purposeful and fulfilling life.
Question:
Would you like to learn the basics of effective planning?
We have a detailed planning section in our club, which includes mindset, how to structure your steps and progress, how to ensure blockages are dealt with, overcoming procrastination and more. Join free for 7 days and try one of our goal planning challenges!
5. Mindfulness: Nurturing Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to nurture your mental and emotional well-being. Mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and yoga can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance emotional resilience. By staying present in the moment and cultivating self-awareness, you can better manage your thoughts and reactions to life’s ups and downs.
Facts and Stats
Studies have shown that practicing mindfulness meditation can lead to measurable changes in the brain’s structure and function. One such study conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School found that participating in an eight-week mindfulness meditation program led to an increase in gray matter density in brain regions associated with learning, memory, self-awareness, and compassion. At the same time, the amygdala, a region linked to stress and anxiety, showed a decrease in gray matter density.
This fascinating fact underscores the powerful impact of mindfulness on the brain and its potential to positively influence mental and emotional well-being. Regular mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing exercises, can help rewire the brain, reducing stress and enhancing cognitive functions. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can build emotional resilience, improve focus, and experience a greater sense of peace and contentment in their lives.
Question:
Would you like to try out Seven Days of Mindfulness Experience? You join our spa under a 14 day trial, you can then enrol on the 7 day course and each day you will get a link to a mindfulness exercise and experience in our Spa. This daily email also comes with an explanation as to the exercise and its benefit. See if after 7 days, you feel any more relaxed, calm or controlled!
Conclusion
Achieving a cure for wellness is a comprehensive journey that encompasses various aspects of our lives. By prioritizing diet and nutrition, embracing fitness, taking charge of your health, creating a life plan, and practicing mindfulness, you can attain a state of holistic well-being.
All of these areas are within our Spa Club, carefully designed to support your life, as they all impact on each other.
Remember that wellness is a continuous process, and small, consistent steps can lead to profound positive changes in your life. Find support in our spa, get daily/weekly exercises you can do that build up gradually for you; or if you have an area you want to focus upon, you can spend time there.
