8 True Pillars of Health and Wellness: The Ultimate List
In this busy world, health and wellness can seem overwhelming. Getting lost in a sea of advice without knowing where to start is easy.
The biggest problem with most health and wellness advice is that it needs to consider the full range of factors. For example, nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management are often discussed, but we can not forget the importance of hydration or financial wellness.
The truth is that by taking proactive steps toward bettering your personal wellness by blanketing the pillars of health and wellness, anyone can improve their lifestyle.
So grab a coffee or tea (whichever type best supports your routine!) and read on as we dive into these powerful methods for optimizing your life today!
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What Are the True 8 Pillars of Health and Wellness?
To have a long and prosperous life while reaching your personal and professional goals, it is essential to prioritize and build upon the foundation of your health.
With good health, all other desires can be more manageable and attainable. That’s why focusing on cultivating and sustaining the main pillars of wellness should always top your list for self-care.
Each pillar is integral to keeping your body healthy as they affect one another.
Nutrition:
‘Let thy food be thy medicine’ (1)
Good health can only be obtained with this most foundational pillar. Eating foods that properly fuel you and do not rob you of energy is paramount for optimal well-being.
There are many conflicting thoughts on what a healthy diet is, but healthy food swaps from processed foods, and of course, the sweet stuff, to a more best whole-food-based approach will make the most significant difference.
As someone passionate about healthy living, I know firsthand how important it is to maintain a healthy diet.
Over the years, I’ve tried various diets, especially since I’ve had to manage diabetes since my mid-thirties. While each diet has its benefits, I’ve found that the keto carnivore, or Ketovore diet, has been the most effective for me regarding weight loss and overall health.
Eating a perfectly balanced diet high in healthy fats and protein and low in carbohydrates has reduced inflammation, improved my digestion, and even boosted my mental clarity.
Of course, everyone’s body is different, so it’s crucial to find a diet that works for you. But if you want to change your diet, I highly recommend trying the Ketovore diet.
Physical activity:
Physical health involves regular exercise and movement and is crucial for maintaining a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but you have heard all of this before.
It isn’t just about exercising for the sake of it. It’s about discovering a form of physical activity that resonates with you, that keeps you engaged and excited to reach new levels.
That could be pickleball, swimming, running, weight training, or playing tennis. The goal is to find something that stirs your heart rate, triggers those happy endorphins, and enhances your strength, balance, and flexibility.
What helps me stay fit into a busy schedule is my favorite home gym, and when I have more time and want to challenge myself I like to ruck in nature.
As someone passionate about physical health and wellness, I firmly believe that incorporating regular exercise into your routine is critical to living a long and healthy life. Whether you prefer weight training or aerobic exercise, the benefits of physical activity are numerous.
Exercise is a fantastic way to stay physically fit and maintain weight, but it has also been linked to increased longevity and warding off chronic diseases. After trying out various forms of exercise myself, I’ve realized that nothing beats weight training when it comes to achieving my fitness objectives.
In addition, by incorporating variable resistance strength training into my routine, I’ve built lean muscle mass and increased my metabolism, which has helped me maintain a healthy weight and improve my overall physical health.
But regardless of which type of exercise you prefer, the most important thing is to find something you enjoy and can stick with in the long term.
Sleep:
Getting adequate and restful sleep is essential for our physical and mental health. Lack of sleep can negatively impact our mood, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
If you experience difficulty sleeping, there are ways to improve your nightly rest. For example, incorporating a deep breathing practice into your bedtime routine is a great way to relax and drift off quickly.
It’s always been stated to get seven to eight hours to get a good night’s sleep, but there is some variance. Some only need 6 hours of sleep. The key is to maximize the quality of sleep.
Stress management:
Maintaining good health involves not only physical wellness but also emotional well-being. Therefore, stress management is essential to boost emotional stamina and improve overall health.
Chronic stress can have adverse effects on our physical and mental health. Therefore, finding healthy ways to manage and lower stress, such as meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques, is essential.
When it comes to managing stress, a variety of effective relaxation techniques can be employed. For me, one of the most effective techniques is meditation. By taking just a few minutes each day to quiet my mind and focus on my breath, I’ve reduced my stress levels and improved my overall sense of well-being.
Other effective techniques include deep breathing exercises, yoga, and spending time in nature.
Take some time for yourself and find something that helps you disconnect from work is vital to properly rest your body and mind. The key is to be consistent and make time for relaxation in your daily life.
Social connection:
Maintaining healthy relationships is crucial for not only our emotional well-being but also our spiritual wellness. Social connection is a vital component of a healthy and happy life.
Fostering meaningful connections and prioritizing spending time with loved ones is essential. Whether a phone call with a friend or a family dinner, a social connection can give us a sense of belonging and fulfillment.
Connecting with friends and family helps me feel more grounded and centered, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. In a world where we are often surrounded by technology and social media, it’s essential to consciously disconnect and engage in meaningful, face-to-face interactions with others.
By prioritizing social connection, we can improve our emotional well-being and cultivate more profound, fulfilling, positive relationships with those around us.
Integrating social connection with connected fitness can boost your output by hitting two of these health pillars. Try going on a Ruck Hike with some friends.
Mental health:
Taking care of our mental health is as important as our physical health. This can include practices such as therapy, mindfulness, or other forms of self-care.
Mental health is a crucial aspect of overall health promotion, and it’s essential to take the time to prioritize our mental well-being. Whether it’s through practicing mindfulness, journaling, or seeking professional support, there are many ways to promote mental health and mental unwinding.
One of the most effective ways to promote mental health is to focus on my life purpose. By reflecting on my values and goals, I can gain a sense of direction and meaning in my life, which helps reduce stress and anxiety.
Additionally, engaging in activities that bring me joy and fulfillment, such as spending time with loved ones or pursuing creative hobbies, helps to improve my mental well-being. I also embrace quality time with our pet dog for mental health.
Hydration:
Hydration is often overlooked and forgotten, but it is crucial for mental and physical health. Getting enough water throughout the day can help improve focus and alertness, regulate body temperature, and promote overall well-being.
Hydration is one of the essential health pillars that is often overlooked. Staying hydrated helps keep our bodies functioning properly and plays a crucial role in weight loss and overall health. One effective way to improve hydration is by investing in a clean water system.
These devices utilize a process known as reverse osmosis to produce purified water, thought to offer a spectrum of health benefits such as enhanced hydration, better digestion, and boosted energy levels.
In my own experience, drinking water purified through reverse osmosis has improved my daily hydration and even positively impacted my digestive system.
We can all benefit from sparkling water as well, which helps add a little variety to proper hydration.
Of course, it’s important to remember that proper hydration can also be achieved through simply drinking enough water throughout the day. We can improve our well-being and promote a healthier lifestyle by prioritizing hydration as a crucial aspect of overall health.
Financial:
Financial wellness is never discussed among these pillars, but it is the fertilizer to all others.
Your financial well-being is the connection between you and your money, including how secure it may be when different elements change. This supports you in your basic needs today as well as planning for tomorrow’s expenses – giving you peace of mind no matter what curveballs life throws.
Imagine your mental health if you’re in a healthy state of financial security. The increased confidence will help you make decisions that have positive long-term effects.
Financial stability allows you to experience life more freely and pursue the things that bring joy. It also gives you a sense of security.
Having your financial house in order allows you to buy the best food for your nutrition, the right tools for your fitness, and the extra money to finance all aspects of health and wellness options that promote longevity.
Achieving financial stability necessitates mastering four key domains: budgeting, debt management, saving for the future, and protecting your assets, and how getting these domains under control frees you up to continue to tackle all of the other pillars mentioned.
We can create a solid foundation for our overall health and well-being by achieving this finance pillar.
Why are they important?
The eight pillars of health and wellness are essential because they provide holistic health.
Each pillar is interconnected, and caring for all aspects of our wellbeing can help us reach peak performance. Taking the time to focus on our needs and practice self-care regularly can have long-lasting positive effects on our mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual health.
Prioritizing one or more of these pillars increases productivity and optimal health.
How to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining all eight pillars of health and wellness requires an ongoing commitment to self-care.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and attention. Here are some tips to help you stay on track and maintain a healthy lifestyle:
- Prioritize balance – It’s important to pay equal attention to all aspects of your health, including physical, mental, emotional, and social. Make time for activities that support each of these areas.
- Set Goals & Measure Progress – Set achievable goals that align with your overall health and wellness objectives. Celebrate your progress along the way to stay motivated and focused.
- Find enjoyable activities – Incorporate physical activity and healthy eating into your routine in a way that you enjoy. Find activities and foods that you look forward to, and that support your overall health.
By paying equal attention to all aspects of your health, setting realistic goals, and finding enjoyable activities, you can maintain a healthy lifestyle and support your overall well-being. Remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a journey, not a destination, so be patient with yourself and celebrate your progress.
Timeboxing can also be a helpful tool for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Timeboxing refers to dedicating specific periods to certain activities, such as 30 minutes for physical activity or 15 minutes for meditation. Scheduling these activities into your day can help you stay focused and motivated.
Acknowledge your current state
The Hippocratic philosophy proclaimed the importance of having a
which can be attained by exercising and eating nutritious food, which is necessary for complete wellness.
Before we can make positive changes in our overall wellness, we must take stock of our current state. One effective way to do this is by taking a wellness score or assessing our health status through various indicators such as sleep quality, physical activity, nutrition, and stress levels. By acknowledging our current state, we can identify areas we may need to improve and set realistic goals to support our health and overall wellness.
For example, taking a wellness score helped me identify areas where I needed to improve my physical activity and stress management. By setting small, achievable goals and consistently working towards them, I significantly improved in these areas and feel more supported in my overall health.
By taking the time to acknowledge our current state and actively work towards our health and wellness goals, we can help our well-being and lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
Bottom Line
The eight pillars of health and wellness are essential because they provide wholeness to healthy living and give you the power to handle everyday life.
By focusing on nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, mental health, hydration, and finances, you can create an environment that allows you to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
To maintain these pillars, it’s vital to be mindful of how you’re feeling in the present moment and take actionable steps toward building better habits each day. You can reach your health and wellness goals with dedication, consistency, and perseverance!
It is essential to remember that our journey toward optimal health and wellness is never finished – there will always be something we can work on or improve upon.
