Maintaining a state of balance is fundamental to health, wellness, and wellbeing. True, consuming nutritious foods, getting adequate sleep, and exercise are essential to health, yet it’s just as important to engage in activities that nourish the mind and soul. Creating a meaningful life looks different for each individual, involving lifestyle preferences and other influential factors. However, we can all benefit from a healthy state of mind, body, and soul. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs outlines central aspects of physical and mental wellbeing in the Components of Productive Health and Well-being model noting, “Self-care includes all the choices you make on a daily basis that affect your physical, mental, and spiritual health. In fact, how you take care of yourself will have a greater impact on your health and well-being than the medical care you receive.”

Keeping mindful to maintain healthy lifestyle choices is key to health and wellness. How we go about our daily lives can greatly influence our state of wellbeing. With a few simple strategies you can cultivate experiences that rejuvenate the mind and body. Get ready for some exciting and revitalizing wellness tips!

Eustress is a healthy form of stress increasing mental focus and productivity. On the other hand, prolonged stress can result in distress or burnout. Being faced with numerous responsibilities beyond one’s capability is one of the many factors leading to continuous stress.

The body reacts to stressors through an automatic response known as fight-or-flight reaction. The fight-or-flight response is a protective mechanism to stress or anticipated danger. If stress becomes chronic or prolonged it can cause health risks.  According to the Mayo Clinic long-term stress exposes the body to extended release of cortisol and other stress hormones, contributing to anxiety, depression, sleep problems, digestive disturbances, weight gain, heart disease and others. The good new is there are ways to decrease stress and promote healthy living!

Feeling energy zapped or in need of motivation? Exercise fosters wellness and wellbeing along with numerous health benefits. Maintaining physically active also improves quality of sleep, mood, and energy levels. The Mayo Clinic comments on the benefits of exercise noting, “Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun.” The Mayo Clinic goes on to share how a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity should be introduced daily. Now that we know health benefits in keeping physically active, let’s get up and moving!

Stress is a prevalent concern creeping into our daily lives. During stressful situations the body enters a state known as fight-or-flight causing changes in heart rate, breathing, and influencing multiple body systems. If unaddressed this automatic response may compromise health and wellbeing. WebMD comments, “When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. It makes hormones that speed up your heart, make you breathe faster, and give you a burst of energy.” If not managed properly stress can result in illness, sleep disturbances, stomach indigestion, headaches, depression, and other health concerns. Taking a proactive approach in stress reduction is key for a healthy lifestyle.