Although social distancing is the best way to prevent getting COVID-19, it also has the potential to take us out of balance, especially for those who are not habituated to staying at home.
The current situation has flipped the scales worldwide, impacting individuals both young and old. People have become obligated to stay at home away from their jobs or schools, avoiding contact with even their families and friends. People are running out of ideas how to pass time and how to maintain physical health and psychological wellbeing. Overcoming this ordeal is proving to be a big challenge to many.
So what are the ways to restore our balance? We need to work on different aspects of our lives to enhance our well-being. Focusing on one area is not enough, and when you lose balance within or between these areas, then you will face distress. So what are these dimensions, and what exactly is the wellness wheel?
The wellness wheel is an interconnected holistic model that illustrates nine dimensions that contribute to a healthy living. It helps individuals enrich their lives by empowering them to make choices that lead to a more substantial and fulfilling existence. The wheel presents different aspects of human life that lead to a well-rounded and balanced lifestyle. So, what are they?
How does it work?
The wellness wheel enables individuals to identify the areas of their lives in which they are striving as well as struggling. Balance is key and any imbalance in one area can prevent you from living to the fullest! These are the dimensions of the wellness wheel that you should consider. We share with you practical tips to integrate in your day-to-day activities to enjoy positive changes in your lifestyle.
Social Wellness: Today, with the covid-19 pandemic, we are forced to stay away from the people we love. So, maintaining communication with them is essential.
- Check in on loved ones daily. You can even dress up and video call them.
- Spend quality time with your family. You will not get such an opportunity to spend time with them again amidst life’s busy hustle and bustle.
- Try helping the less fortunate, even if it is minimal.
Intellectual Wellness: Benefit from this free time to expand and widen your scope of knowledge
- Read a book or watch documentaries.
- Solve puzzles or intellectual mathematical problems
- Try taking a free online course, seek out new challenges, and engage in self-development activities
Nutrition: Support your physical body, its health and safety.
- Eat healthy food that boosts your immune system. Plan meals in advance and buy groceries accordingly.
- Eat three balanced and healthy meals that include plenty of fruits and vegetables – avoid fatty foods.
- Stay away from indulging in sweets, and instead snack on healthy snacks, fruits and vegetables, or crackers.
- Try out new recipes and enjoy watching some healthy cooking programs.
Physical fitness: Do not become a couch potato (lazy person), and instead try to exercise regularly. Try out some yoga or any other sport that interests you!
- Assign at least 25 minutes per day to exercise
- Try exercising with your family members, it would make it more fun! You can also have an online session with a friend!
- Put on some music and dance.
Emotional and Spiritual Wellness: It is normal to find yourself overwhelmed with a variety of emotions during these troubled times. It is common to be afraid of the unknown, to feel anxiety, nostalgia and longing, anger, and helplessness.
- Every morning, take a few minutes to count your blessings and express your gratitude. In the evening, reflect on the day’s blessings.
- Use your words to express your feelings. Tell the people you love how much you love them. Some love is all you need to turn someone’s day around.
- Keep a journal. Keeping a journal is a great way to process your thoughts and emotions. It also helps you remember your memories and experiences.
Work: Work is essential, and it is the main source that guarantees our survival and continuity. Work concepts have changed all over the world due to the pandemic. Look at the bright side though! At least you do not have to worry about traffic.
- Make sure you have an allocated quiet and comfortable corner to work in.
- If you have children, explain to them how important it is that they remain as silent as they can be during your working hours. Meanwhile, give them something engaging to do.
- Reflect on your career. Is it really what you want and what you aspire to achieve for yourself? Are you where you want to be in life? Accordingly, research ways to develop yourself.
Financial Affairs: Today, more than ever, it has become crucial to pay attention to your financial status. Take advantage of this period of time to arrange your priorities and your finances. Set a plan for both the near and long future.
- Sort out your payments and reduce unnecessary expenses. Jot down and keep track of your income and expenses on a sheet.
- Avoid using your savings or borrowing money unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Declutter old payment slips and organize your bills and financial records.
Environmental Wellness: There is a famous saying that states that we have not inherited this land from our fathers but instead have borrowed it from our children and grandchildren. Therefore, you must benefit from the world around you and take care of it too.
- Now that spring is here, it is the perfect time to plant some flowers and plants.
- Try to enjoy the sound of the birds singing, something we rarely hear these days with all the loud chaos around us
- Recycle, reduce, and reuse!
Wellness is a journey, and not a destination! The goal behind creating a wellness wheel is to evaluate how you are doing and to identify any imbalances that are hindering your sense of fulfillment and a happy life. Our mental state affects our wellbeing, and vice versa. During these hardships, the best way to maintain a healthy and balanced life is to adapt and implement the holistic approach of the Wellness Wheel.
