How to improve your health and well-being?

 

 How to improve your health and well-being?

The WHO defines health and well-being as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." June 12th was World Wellness Day. 

It is held annually to improve people's physical and psychological health. A day to remember that taking care of yourself, your physical and mental health, is essential. 

The main idea of ​​this day is to take time for yourself every day to feel good in your body and mind. 

What is health and wellness?

Health and wellness are often thought of as related concepts, but they encompass distinct aspects of our lives.

What does it mean to "have health"?

Health is a state of overall physical, mental, and social well-being, and is not simply the absence of disease or infirmity. 

It encompasses the ability to lead an active life, manage stress, and maintain positive relationships with others. 

Health is influenced by a combination of factors, including lifestyle, environment, genetics, and medical care. 

To be healthy, it is crucial to take care of your body and mind, adopt healthy habits, and ensure a harmonious balance between the different aspects of your life.

The different types of well-being

Well-being is a pleasant state of satisfaction of the body's needs and calmness of mind. Well-being can be defined in several ways:

• Physical well-being: This is the ability to take care of your body and where all of your body's basic needs met (physical exercise, proper nutrition, quality and quantity of sleep, and good physical health).

• Emotional well-being: This is the ability to recognize and understand your emotions. This allows you to effectively manage stress and everyday challenges. When you are in a state of emotional well-being, positive emotions will outweigh negative ones (fear, anxiety, anger, stress).

• Social well-being: This is defined as a state of well-being in which basic human needs are met and people can coexist peacefully. It also involves building healthy connections and relationships with family, friends, partners, and other social circles.

• Intellectual well-being: This refers to your ability to learn, creativity, and willingness to challenge yourself. The brain requires daily stimulation to stay fit and strong.

• Spiritual well-being: This is based on your ability to connect with your short-term, medium, and long-term personal goals. Spiritual well-being is also closely linked to your relationships with others in terms of love, kindness, and compassion.

• Environmental well-being: This encompasses the idea that our personal well-being is actually linked to the well-being of the spaces we inhabit, such as our workspaces, our homes, and our community.

• Professional well-being: This refers to your success at work, but also to your family, volunteer, or other fulfillment in any other position you have decided to engage in. This well-being depends on the sense of accomplishment you derive from it and your ability to control the energy you devote to it.

Each type of well-being plays a crucial role in the overall balance of our lives. By taking care of each of these aspects, we can not only improve our quality of life but also enrich our daily experience.

Some tips for taking care of yourself

Taking care of yourself every day is important. Yet, for many people, it often remains a matter of good intentions. However, taking care of yourself every day doesn't necessarily require a lot of effort. 

Daily habits to adopt

One of the keys is to make it a habit by incorporating small actions into your daily life. Here are some examples of good habits to incorporate into your daily life:

Improve sleep quality: Sleep quality has a direct impact on your daily well-being. It's important to respect your sleep cycles and adjust your environment to promote restful sleep. If you suffer from insomnia, change your evening routine.

Exercise: Exercising doesn't necessarily mean joining a gym or practicing an intense sport. Exercising also involves small actions like walking for at least 30 minutes a day, doing 7 minutes of strengthening exercises a day, or even doing a few yoga moves in the morning. No matter what sport you choose to practice, the important thing is to move.

Schedule quiet time: Daily life can quickly become overwhelming. In these cases, schedule quiet time that can improve your daily productivity and allow you to relieve stress. For example, once a week, dedicate a day to de-stressing. 

To increase your well-being, you can opt for one of these methods. Don't be too demanding of yourself or set the bar too high. 

Taking care of yourself allows you to avoid neglecting yourself in your daily life and to make it a habit so that it becomes natural and effortless. 

Some activities for your physical and mental well-being

A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Physical activity leads to reduced tension and stress, improved mood, and higher self-esteem. 

It also provides better quality sleep and improved cognitive abilities such as memory and attention. 

There are some so-called gentle activities to help you relax and increase your well-being, such as: 

Yoga: Meaning "union" in Sanskrit, this ancient practice originating in India advocates the union of body and mind. The goal of practicing yoga is to reach a state where the activities of the body, mind, and spirit function in harmony through work on posture, breathing, and relaxation. Yoga promotes personal development, counteracts the accumulation of tension and physical decline due to a sedentary lifestyle or aging. 

Pilates: This exercise can be practiced by anyone, but at varying degrees of intensity. It is a fitness method that aims to correct and improve posture (reduce back pain) as well as strengthen muscles. 

Stretching: This is a gentle stretching and flexibility method recommended for everyone. It's important to incorporate stretching into your day to increase flexibility, aiding in daily activities and reducing muscle tension. This activity also improves blood circulation and provides immediate well-being. 

Practicing physical activity will allow you to feel in harmony with yourself and increase your daily well-being. 

Some products for your well-being

Maintaining good health and optimal well-being often involves lifestyle changes and incorporating health-promoting products.

The benefits of essential oils

An essential oil is a distilled essence of the plant. Essential oils are known for their relaxing properties, such as chamomile, lavender, or sweet orange. 

Essential oils allow stressed people to relax and improve the quality of their sleep. Other oils can relieve certain infections, such as colds (eucalyptus) or bronchitis (lemon essential oil relieves migraine-related pain).