What is Wellness?

When it comes to our overall health, wellness is extremely important. It’s not just about physical health, but mental and emotional health as well. Wellness is about achieving balance in all areas of our lives. Here we will look at how to set smart goals to achieve the healthy lifestyle of your dreams and give you a few examples of wellness goals that will help you build a personal wellness plan.

 

Wellness is a state of being healthy in body, mind, and spirit. It is the result of making choices that lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life. When we are well, we have more energy, feel better emotionally, and are able to enjoy our lives more fully. By making small changes, we have a great opportunity to build lasting wellness through healthy habits and ultimately achieve our health goals.

Setting goals is a great way to help achieve wellness. Whether it’s quitting smoking, eating healthier, or getting more exercise, setting goals gives us something to strive for. Achieving our goals can help us feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Sometimes though, it's hard to know where to start. Below we discuss the four types of wellness, why wellness is important, how to set long-term goals, and how to create daily habits that last.

The 4 types of wellness

Physical wellness entails taking care of our bodies and making sure we are getting the exercise and nutrition we need. It also includes getting regular check-ups and screenings and being proactive about our health. Physical activity is also super important for our mental and emotional health as well as our immune system. Achieving optimal health begins with getting enough activity.

Mental wellness is about managing our stress levels, staying positive, and maintaining a healthy outlook on life. It’s about having a good support system and taking care of our mental health just as we would our physical health.

Emotional wellness is about managing our emotions in healthy ways. It’s about being aware of our triggers and finding healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and difficult emotions. This can also include spiritual wellness that ties into your religious faith.

Social wellness is about having healthy relationships. It’s about having a strong support system and maintaining positive social interactions. It’s also about being active in your community.

There are many ways to achieve wellness in all areas of our lives and wellness looks different for everyone. We would also argue that financial wellness should be a part of the main types of wellness but it always seems to be overlooked. An example of a financial wellness goal would be to pay off debt or open a savings account.

Why wellness is important

Wellness is important because it helps us to be our best selves. When we are physically, mentally, and emotionally well, we are better able to handle the challenges life throws our way. We can also enjoy our lives more fully when we feel our best. Investing in our wellness is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.

Examples of wellness goals

There are many different types of wellness goals that you can set for yourself. It’s important to find what works best for you and your lifestyle. Some examples of wellness goals include:

·        Eating a healthy diet

·        Getting regular exercise - maybe you could join a gym or hire a personal trainer to work on your personal wellness goal or exercise routine

·        Getting enough sleep

·        Managing stress levels

·        Staying positive

·        Spending time with loved ones and friends

·        Doing things that make you happy (maybe learn a new skill?)

·        Drinking enough water

·        Eat breakfast every day

·        Committing to a meditation practice

·        Stretching daily

·        Going to therapy

·        Establish a morning or evening routine

·        Organising your home and/or office

·        Daily journaling

Whatever your goals may be, remember that wellness is a journey, not a destination. There is no “perfect” way to achieve wellness. Just focus on taking small steps each day to move closer to where you want to be. And don’t forget to enjoy the ride!

P1 is embarking on a journey to help you become the best version of yourself. Our wellness program is part of our work-life balance benefits and we hope to encourage healthy living, improve employee productivity and employee health, and promote overall wellness.

 Why you should set wellness goals

There are many benefits to setting goals for wellness. When we have specific goals in mind, we are more likely to take action and make positive changes. Goals can also help to keep us motivated and on track. Additionally, accomplishing our wellness goals can give us a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Some other reasons why you may want to set goals for wellness include:

·        Improving your overall health

·        Reducing stress levels

·        Increasing energy levels

·        Improving sleep quality

·        Boosting mood and outlook on life

Whatever your reasons may be, remember that it’s never too late to start working towards a healthier, happier life!

How to set wellness goals you'll actually stick to

There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re setting goals for wellness. First, be realistic about what you can realistically achieve. It’s important to set goals that challenge you, but that are also achievable.

Secondly, make sure your goals are specific and measurable. This will help you to better track your progress and see how far you’ve come.

Finally, don’t forget to give yourself some grace along the way. There will be ups and downs, but as long as you keep moving forward, you will eventually reach your goal!

You'll see that this is in line with setting a S.M.A.R.T. goal. The smart acronym is a mnemonic acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound. This acronym is often used in goal setting to help ensure that goals are clear, attainable, and have a timeline.

Some examples of specific and measurable wellness goals include:

·        I will eat at least 2 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

·        I will walk for 30 minutes 5 days per week.

·        I will get 8 hours of sleep every night.

·        I will stick to a morning routine 5 days per week.

·        I will drink 8 glasses of water per day.

·        I will meditate for 10 minutes each day. 

These are just a few examples – there are endless possibilities when it comes to setting goals for wellness! Just remember to be creative, specific, and realistic, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals.

Tips for achieving wellness goals

Once you’ve set your goals, it’s time to start working toward them! Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

·                  Make a plan: Write down your goals and make a plan for how you will achieve them.

·                  Get support: Share your goals with a friend or family members and ask for their support.

·                  Stay positive: Believe in yourself and your ability to reach your goals.

·                  Be patient: Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately – it takes time to make lasting changes.

·                  Celebrate progress: Congratulate yourself on even the small accomplishments along the way.

Just remember, the journey to wellness is different for everyone. There is no “right” way to do it. Just focus on taking small steps each day and eventually you will reach your destination! Good health starts with goal setting!