Physical Wellness
We began last month with a brief introduction of the National Wellness Institute’s 6 Dimensions of wellness. Today we start with Physical Wellness.
Physical -
The physical dimension recognizes the need for regular physical activity. Physical development encourages learning about diet and nutrition while discouraging the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Optimal wellness is met through the combination of good exercise and eating habits, As you travel the wellness path, you’ll strive to spend time building physical strength, flexibility and endurance while also taking safety precautions so you may travel your path successfully, including medical self-care and appropriate use of a medical system. The physical dimension of wellness entails personal responsibility and care for minor illnesses and also knowing when professional medical attention is needed. By traveling the wellness path, you’ll be able to monitor your own vital signs and understand your body’s warning signs. You’ll understand and appreciate the relationship between sound nutrition and how your body performs. The physical benefits of looking good and feeling terrific most often lead to the psychological benefits of enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination and a sense of direction. Physical wellness follows these tenets:
- It is better to consume foods and beverages that enhance good health rather than those which impair it.
- It is better to be physically fit than out of shape.
Their definition tends to be less than focused, but important phrases still exist: they “recognize the need for regular physical activity.” They also take it an important step farther, mentioning “the physical dimension of wellness entails … care for minor illnesses and also knowing when professional medical attention is needed … you’ll be able to monitor your own vital signs and understand your body’s warning signs … (and) … understand and appreciate the relationship between sound nutrition and how your body performs.”
This advancement of the idea is an important step to take. The physical aspect of wellness isn’t just the rote “30 minutes of exercise daily” but being more aware of the body. Recognizing when things don’t feel right and recognizing when things feel great, as well as realizing what brought this state on. It is more than just physical activity, it is physical awareness.
This is the true take home message: Physical Wellness is more than recognizing the need for regular activity, it is about truly being aware of the effects of this activity, and being mindful of the physical being in which we exist.
