The wellness industry is growing rapidly. It encompasses not just the popular trends of health and fitness but also spirituality, diet, sleep, self-care and more. The foundation for the industry comes from wellness philosophy, which provides a framework for understanding how to create healthy lifestyles and avoid disease. The core concepts of wellness are: a holistic view of the human experience, the belief that humans need to take full responsibility for their health and happiness, and the concept that well-being is an ongoing process, not a state that is attained and then maintained.
The word wellness has several definitions, but the most common are: the ability to realize your potential physically, emotionally, socially, financially, spiritually and environmentally; and the sense of fulfillment that you can achieve through a positive life style and positive relationships. Many experts see these dimensions as interconnected, so when one area is out of balance it can impact the other areas.
Wellness is a modern word with ancient roots. The key tenets of wellness as preventive and holistic have long been a part of the practices of many cultures around the world, from ancient civilizations in the East (India, China) to the West (Greece).
In our modern age of stress and illness, it is increasingly important to understand the connection between your mental and physical health. The more you are able to cultivate your own wellness, the better equipped you will be to cope with life’s challenges.
While there are many popular health and wellness topics to write about, it is also essential that you keep a finger on the pulse of current research and trends so that you can share relevant information with your audience. This will help ensure that your article has relevance, value and longevity.
Some popular wellness topics include mental health and self-care, a holistic approach to well-being, sustainability and eco-friendly practices, new fitness trends and workouts, the benefits of plant-based eating, stress management techniques and the importance of sleep.
Physical wellness involves recognizing your body’s needs for physical activity, restful sleep and good nutrition. This can be achieved through exercise, regular medical care and other self-care activities. It can also be enhanced through mindful living practices, which are a component of emotional wellness.
Social wellness refers to the relationships you have with others. This can be through family, friends, communities, places of worship and work. It also includes a sense of purpose, meaning and spirituality that can be found through volunteering or meditating.
Environmental wellness is about fostering the positive interrelationship between planetary health and your choices, actions and sense of wellbeing. This is a relatively new dimension that is still being researched.
There is a lot of opportunity for writing about wellness because it is such an expansive and diverse field. As with any topic, the trick is to keep it focused and avoid veering off into too many side thoughts that can muddy the message. The Roger Williams University Health and Wellness Educators are available to help you explore the endless possibilities for maximizing your wellness.