The good news is that our wellbeing tends to be more within our control, and as research has shown, it has an important role to play in supporting our overall health. Developing our sense of wellbeing can even mediate the effects of ill-health, so is definitely worth investing the time in, and luckily more and more people are coming to realise how important it is and are taking steps to keep well.
But just as with your physical health, only you really know what feels right or wrong when it comes to your sense of wellbeing. For some people the key to is focusing on diet and exercise. That is what keeps them strong physically and mentally.
Others may find that access to a complementary therapy such as reflexology, or hypnotherapy is what keeps them well. Perhaps, for you, the biggest benefits come from speaking to a counsellor, or taking up meditation. While these practices may or may not play a direct role in day to day health, the powerful stress-reduction and other benefits could be the key to staying physically and mentally healthy.
For most people staying well requires a mix of different things. And there will never be ‘one way’ to do it; in truth, it will constantly change, because you are constantly changing. That means it’s important to keep checking in with yourself to find out what it is you need, right here and now. It’s all about listening to your own body and mind. What makes you feel great and how can you get more of it? What causes you discomfort and how can you reduce it?
The answers may require all kinds of different solutions, whether that’s a check-up with your doctor to investigate an odd pain, booking a session with a counsellor to get all that stuff that’s bothering you off your chest, attending a yoga session to stretch and connect with your body, or just making sure you always have access to your close friends and family so you’re part of a community.