Berea College’s health and wellness program referred to as ‘Thrive!’ defines wellness through eight dimensions. It includes emotional, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, spiritual, and sustainable wellness. Mechanisms to improve some of the dimensions of wellness in our daily lives include exercising, eating a healthy diet, practicing gratitude, and improving communication skills. Blumenthal, Smith, and Hoffman found that aerobic exercise has been correlated with alleviating symptoms of mild to moderate depression and encourage patients to include exercise in their daily lives (Blumenthal, Smith, & Hoffman, 2012). We all know that eating healthily improves one’s physical wellness, however what does it really mean? According to a “meta-analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults, it was demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality as well as overall mortality" (Cesari et al., 2008).One aspect of spiritual wellness is gratitude. According to positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness, so remember to practice gratitude more often (Witvliet et al., 2019). Lastly, according to Brene Brown, research professor at the University of Houston, some phrases that improve communication and thereby social wellness include: “the story I make up”, “I am curious about”, “Tell me more”, and “That is not my experience” (Brown, 2012). Incorporate at least one of these wellness boosts as a new habit this August and change a life time.
Works Cited:
Blumenthal, J. A., Smith, P. J., & Hoffman, B. M. (2012). Is Exercise a Viable Treatment for Depression?. ACSM's health & fitness journal, 16(4), 14–21.
Sofi, F., Cesari, F., Abbate, R., Gensini, G. F., & Casini, A. (2008). Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 337, a1344.
Witvliet, C. V., Richie, F. J., Root Luna, L. M., & Van Tongeren, D. R. (2019). Gratitude predicts hope and happiness: A two-study assessment of traits and states. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 14(3), 271-282.
Brown, Brené. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. New York: Gotham Books, 2012. Brown, Brené.
For more information about wellness, check out the titles below:
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