Wellness, self care, “me time”… Today wellness is depicted through images of bubble baths, herbal tea, self care routines, and moments of relaxation.
While these indulgences are delightful and contribute to our well being, true wellness is far more profound and multidimensional.
It’s not about your bubble bath holding a glass of wine, focusing on yourself after a long day of corporate stress and comparing with others on social media…
To truly embrace wellness, we need to delve deeper into its essence and understand its holistic nature.
The Origins of Wellness
The concept of wellness isn’t a new fad, it has deep historical roots.
Anceint Greeks
Ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Egyptians, and Chinese have long recognized the importance of holistic health.
For example, the Greek philosopher Hippocrates, often considered the father of medicine, championed the idea of balance and harmony within the body as crucial to health.
His famous quote, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” reflects his belief that a balanced diet and lifestyle were key to health.
Hippocrates and his followers advocated for a holistic approach, focusing on diet, exercise, and lifestyle rather than merely treating symptoms.
China
In China, wellness has been understood through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which dates back over 2,000 years.
Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes the balance of Qi (life energy) and the harmony of body, mind, and spirit.
Health, according to TCM, depends on the smooth flow of Qi and the balance between the body’s opposing forces, Yin and Yang.
India
India’s contribution to wellness is profound, especially through the practice of yoga, which has been practiced for over 5,000 years.
The ancient sage Patanjali codified the principles of yoga in the Yoga Sutras, outlining a holistic approach to health that integrates the mind, body, and spirit.
Yoga was not just about physical postures but also about mental discipline and spiritual growth.
The 1900s
Fast forward to the 20th century, and the wellness movement began to gain traction.
In the 1950s and 60s, wellness was popularized as a concept that goes beyond mere physical health to include emotional, mental, and spiritual well being.
Pioneers like Halbert Dunn and John Travis expanded the idea of wellness to incorporate a more comprehensive view of health, one that includes lifestyle choices and personal growth.
Today
With the rise of social media, particularly Instagram, wellness turned into a visually appealing trend instead of a way of life.
Instagram is flooded with photos showcasing luxurious bubble baths, “me time”, smoothies, perfectly steeped tea, YouTube vloggers upload videos of self care routines and each image is carefully curated to reflect an idealized version of self care.
While these images promote wellness practices, they miss the deeper meaning of wellness.
Beyond the Surface: What Wellness Truly Means
Wellness is more than just a series of pleasant rituals.
It’s a profound journey toward personal fulfillment and authentic living.
Here’s how we can redefine wellness:
1. Personal Development: The Holistic Journey of Transformation
True wellness starts with a commitment to personal development.
This isn’t just about acquiring new skills or knowledge but about embracing a journey of self discovery and growth.
It’s not just about eating healthy, meditating, journaling, praying…
It’s about all of that and more.
It’s about focusing on all of the fundamental pillars of a human being, the spirit, the mind, the body, the heart, and improving in all areas of your life.
That’s why we created 4 campuses inside the Superhuman University, one for each pillar, so you can focus on improving all of them, not just one like the limitation on many other platforms.
If you want to start your self transformation journey, join the Superhuman University here!
2. Authenticity: Living True to Yourself
Embracing wellness also means living authentically.
It’s about honoring who you are at your core and expressing your true self without fear of judgment.
It’s about following your truth and your purpose.
If you are not a person who likes to go out in night clubs every weekend, honor that… if you are not the type of person who can manage to be stuck in an office 8 hours per day, honor that…
Wellness is not about your bubble bath, it’s about living an authentic life that’s true to your self.
3. Emotional Well being: Navigating Life with Grace
Emotional well being is another critical aspect of wellness.
It involves understanding and managing your emotions effectively, building resilience, and nurturing positive relationships.
Your self care routine might help you relax, but it’s not going to clean you from the suppressed emotions that you carry within your being.
Honesty, sincerity, vulnerability, and lots of releasing…
That’s true emotional wellness.
Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability and shame highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in wellness.
By embracing vulnerability and cultivating meaningful connections, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and compassion.
4. Physical Vitality: Nurturing Your Body
Finally, physical health remains a cornerstone of wellness.
Again, it’s about more than just exercise and nutrition, it’s about creating a lifestyle that supports overall vitality.
This is the nuanced difference: it’s not about escaping your life in wellness routines, exercises, yoga, meditation…
It’s about seamlessly incorporating these practices so they become your way of life.
Embracing a Holistic Approach
To truly embody wellness, we must adopt a holistic approach that integrates all these elements into our daily lives.
This means finding balance and harmony across different aspects of life, including physical health, emotional resilience, personal growth, and authentic living.
Instead of focusing on isolated aspects of wellness, set goals that address multiple dimensions of your life.
For example, if you aim to improve your physical health, also consider how you can enhance your emotional well being and personal development simultaneously.
Create daily routines that support your overall wellness.
This might include a balanced diet, regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and time for personal reflection and growth.
And regularly reflect on your progress.
Adjust your practices as needed.
Wellness is a journey, not a destination, and it requires ongoing self assessment and adaptation.
It is a deeply enriching journey that extends far beyond superficial practices.
Let’s move past the bubble baths and herbal tea and delve into the true essence of wellness, a journey of self discovery, transformation, and authentic living.
Join the 30 Days Of Transformation here and unleash true wellness, step into a life you love!
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