Wellness of body, mind and soul is essential to keep it in perfect harmony so as to achieve the purpose of life. The body is a temple in which the soul resides. The wellness of this abode of our soul is the first step and stepping stone to attain the eternal bliss. It’s important to maintain a healthy balance between our body, mind, and soul by nurturing our self, including our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs.
In the tech-savvy world of today, let me explain the unique relationship of body, mind and soul with an example which our millennials understand. The body is like the hardware of computer which has a physical presence and structure. It needs regular maintenance and batteries need to recharge regularly by relaxation and sleep. The mind is the software that drives it. it’s not visible but certainly, the power that moves the hardware as per the command given from the mind. So the mind is a very powerful ingredient and often gets corrupted by negative thoughts. It also needs to upgrade like software, by learning and acquiring knowledge from time to time as we move on in life. Finally, the soul is like sim/wi-fi that connects you to the web, the larger universe of knowledge and also to other souls by connectivity tools and techniques. These connections are invisible and wellness of the soul is the one that decides how you connect to the larger universe. It never dies like soul/spirit and could be moved from one computer (body) to another.
Wellness is a choice of a lifestyle marked by a balance of body, mind and spirit. Physical wellness means you can get through the day with enough energy for work and play. It is this aspect of wellness that often first comes to mind when people think of wellness. But all aspects of wellness are important to our health. Physical wellness is not merely the absence of illness, but about maintaining a thriving lifestyle. This area of wellness includes adopting healthy habits such as routine medical exams, immunizations, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and much more. It is also about avoiding or minimizing risky behaviours like alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Most importantly, physical wellness is about discovering what all healthy habits make you feel better and suit your lifestyle and level of fitness.
Physical Fitness Physical fitness regime is the most important of all. Certainly, at least one hour of physical exercise daily for six days a week is essential. Each spell should be of a minimum of 20 minutes. Not all physical activity has to be a painful endeavour that is endured only for the sake of health. While the long-term benefits of exercise are indisputable, many struggles to make it a part of their daily life. The key to making it a habit is to find an activity that you like and you can grow in. If you find spin class boring or yoga too easy then simply don’t force yourself to do it. There are hundreds of different exercise classes and methodologies that can engage you and inspire you to improve. The pace and intensity again depend on various factors like age and fitness levels. Please remember, it takes 21 days to start liking it and 90 days to make it a habit. Let’s make physical fitness a daily habit.
Yoga and Meditation – Inner health of the body is as important as the physical fitness of the body. The emphasis nowadays is also on the wellness of body systems. Though a person may appear absolutely fit and healthy in outward looks he/she may be suffering from some imbalances like high BP, cholesterol, sugar and hormonal disturbances. You can’t consider such a body as physically well. Therefore, the importance of yoga and pranayam to heal and energize the body’s internal functions and make it healthy. Meditation done regularly improves memory, attention, mood, immune system function, sleep, and creativity. All it takes is a few minutes a day to start reaping the benefits.
Healthy Eating The wellness of body depends on the goodness of what we eat. We all know the importance of a healthy diet. Contrary to what most people think, eating healthy doesn’t mean feeling hungry all the time or eating nothing but lettuce for the rest of your life. Much like sleep, your body likes consistency when it comes to what and when you eat. Make eating healthy food, a habit such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats and whole grains will give you the nutrients that not only support your body’s vital functions but can balance your wellness of mind as well. We should add more plant-based foods to your diet. Eating lots of vegetables and fruit can help prevent chronic diseases. Similarly, opt for natural remedies whenever you can. Eating too much when you aren’t hungry or making yourself skip meals can have metabolic consequences that can upset your physical. Healthy eating is the key to the wellness of the body.
Boosting Immunity We are endowed with a great immune system that has been designed evolutionarily to keep us healthy. The immune system is our body’s natural defence system. It’s an intricate network of cells, tissues, and organs that band together to defend our body against invaders. Those invaders can include bacteria, viruses like Corona, parasites, even a fungus, all having the potential to make us sick. A healthy immune system protects us by first creating a barrier that stops these invaders (antigens), from entering the body. To boost immunity means intake or consumption of certain food that provides additional benefits to the body. To boost immunity, it’s important to healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Here are some tips to strengthen your immunity naturally-
- Don’t smoke.
- Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Drink in moderation.
- Get adequate sleep.
- Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing your hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
Water as Elixir of Life Drinking water does more than just quench your thirst — it’s essential to keeping your body functioning properly and feeling healthy. Nearly all of your body’s major systems depend on water to function and survive. Each day, humans must consume a certain amount of water to survive. Of course, this varies according to age, gender and also a place of living. Generally, an adult male needs about 3 litres (3.2 quarts) per day while an adult female needs about 2.2 litres (2.3 quarts) per day. All of the water a person need does not have to come from drinking liquids, as some of this water is contained in the food we eat. The excellent ability of water to dissolve so many substances allows our cells to use valuable nutrients, minerals, and chemicals in biological processes. The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream. No less important is the ability of water to transport waste material and toxins out of our bodies. Drinking, bathing and even washing face with water gives us instant energy and feeling of wellness.
RELAX AND RECHARGE
Sleep to Recharge Batteries Sleep powers the mind restores the body and fortifies virtually every system in the body. Sleep is like recharging the batteries of your body. But how much sleep do we really need in order to get these benefits? Doctors advise that healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night to stay healthy and alert. Babies, young children, and teens need even more sleep to enable their growth and development. However, many people, especially young people, don’t understand the importance of maintaining a regular sleep cycle. Your body craves a regular routine especially when it comes to sleep. If your sleep cycle is constantly being disrupted, many negative symptoms can erupt such as extreme fatigue, sluggishness, memory issues, emotional instability and even an increase in sicknesses.
Sleep and Hormone Regulation During sleep, our body produces a sleep-inducing hormone called melatonin. When we are asleep, our body conserves the energy and use it for repairing process. The secretion of growth hormones increases during sleep and the secretion of cortisol and the thyroid-stimulating hormone is inhibited. Lack of sleep or too much sleep also influences the hormone insulin which determines the glucose metabolism. Sound sleeping is essential and invigorating but spending more time in bed without getting sound sleep results in lethargy, fatigue and laziness.
Relax and Slow Down A little rest and relaxation when you’re used to spending lots of time on the go can replenish your mind and body. Relaxation is commonly thought of as only a mental exercise with only mental benefits. That is simply not true. Tension can build up in muscles causing headaches or back pain and stress hormones can cause a variety of nasty symptoms. In modern times, everyone packs their schedules full of events and puts pressure on themselves to get ahead. While ambition is admirable, scheduling time to simply relax and enjoy yourself is important to the overall wellness of your health. Whether it is getting a massage after a swim, staying home with a good book or playing your favourite music, some “me time” enhances wellness.
CONCLUSION
Physical wellness is the ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get the most out of our daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. Physical wellness means living responsibly and taking care of our body while avoiding or minimizing destructive habits (i.e. tobacco, drugs, alcohol, unsafe sex, etc.).
