What is wellbeing?

Whilst there is no clear cut definition of wellbeing, it encompasses various parameters such as physical, mental and emotional factors that directly impact our overall health and quality of life. For us at Beautifully Nourished, wellbeing represents a state of inner peace, health and happiness, allowing for an individual to participate in and enjoy their life. Generally, wellbeing is categorised into the following pillars, which affect us all as we navigate through our lives.

• Physical wellbeing.
• Financial wellbeing.
• Social wellbeing.
• Emotional wellbeing.
• Intellectual Wellbeing
• Mental wellbeing.
• Spiritual Wellbeing
• Occupational Wellbeing including ones work and passions.

Over the coming months we will take a deep dive into all of the pillars of wellness. Discussed below are four of the pillars of wellbeing that can provide a solid base and inner foundation of wellness. 

What do the pillars imply, and how do they add to the overall wellbeing of a person? – Let’s explore: 

Physical Wellbeing

When a person leads an active, healthy lifestyle, one can minimise chances of illness and disease.  

Physical wellbeing refers to our participation in physical activities, exercising and looking after our bodies through physical movement. Exercising and leading a healthy lifestyle is also likely to prevent a person from diseases and age-related disabilities.

Research shows that poor physical health can result in mental health issues and vice versa, showing that physical and psychological wellbeing are very much entwined.

Mental Wellbeing

Mental Health is defined by the World Health Organisation as “A state of wellbeing in which every individual realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.

Mental health includes, but is not limited to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Contributors to poor mental health include biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry, life experiences, such as trauma or abuse, or extreme stress and family history of mental health problems.​ Positive mental health and wellbeing allows people to realise their full potential, cope with the stresses of life, work productively and make meaningful contributions to their communities. ​

The ways to maintain positive mental health and wellbeing include, getting professional help when needed, connecting with others, staying positive, learning coping techniques, getting physically active and helping and appreciating others.

1 in 4 of us experience mental health issues. The average person has 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day.  Of those 80% of those thoughts are negative and 95% are repetitive from the previous day. Re-wiring those thoughts and breaking negative thought patterns is possible.

Over the coming weeks and months, we will be dedicating articles providing support and navigation through mental health and wellness.  We are dedicated to supporting the important cause of normalising the conversation surrounding mental health and providing the appropriate resources where we can to preserve and protect the wellbeing of our readers. 

Financial Wellbeing

Financial wellbeing refers to feeling secure in the knowledge we have enough money to meet our needs. 

Financial troubles can have a detrimental impact on our overall wellbeing.  Financial wellbeing can be a difficult subject, especially in today's social landscape as we navigate through Covid-19 and the economical consequences of the pandemic.

To achieve financial wellness, an individual should have resources that can cover the necessary expenses and sometimes unexpected expenses.  Living within our means is good practice.

To help support our readers and prompted by the unprecedented times of Covid-19, Beautifully Nourished has launched Bloom, a programme that enables readers to earn a profitable secondary income from the comfort and safety of their home.  Click here to learn more.

Social Wellbeing

Social wellbeing attributes to maintaining healthy relationships with others and interacting positively with people. Managing social situations and acknowledging their impact on other people is a vital part of this.

Healthy boundaries are key, as are surrounding ourselves with people that celebrate us and whose company we sincerely enjoy, celebrate and are grateful for.

The best way to enhance social wellbeing is by practising self-care and avoiding critical thinking. Cultivate our relationships with love and treat people with the same respect and kindness that we in turn expect.

Research shows that people with positive relationships are physically fitter, with a robust immune system and a healthier heart!

The Benefits of Achieving Good Wellbeing

Individuals living a healthy lifestyle are more likely to be productive, inspiring to others and to simply enjoy the experience of being here. Taking care of our wellbeing is an excellent way to impact our lives, positively across the board. Everybody wants to make the most of ones' life, and a strong wellbeing focus is the best way to start.