Why is economic wellness important?

• Money isn’t everything, but it does have a huge influence on our well-being. Many people experience financial hardships and struggle with having the resources they need to enjoy life and experience wellness. 

How does one achieve economic wellness?

• Be content with what you have and try not to compete and compare with others.
• Identify a reasonable budget and live within that budget. This may include cutting out expenses that are not necessary.
• Trust and honor God as the Bible suggests in Malachi 3:10 and Psalm 50:14.

What is economic wellness?

• Being satisfied with what you have, living within your means, having sufficient money to manage life, food, clothing, medical care, and a little leftover to share with others and offer as an offering to God.

Why is emotional wellness important?

Nearly 1 in 20 American adults are affected by a mood disorder every year. Once a person has had an occurrence of depression, subsequent episodes tend to occur. It is normal to feel sadness occasionally, but depression is a mood disorder that affects an individual’s life in many aspects. Depression is a widespread issue that ranks high among the causes of disability and suicide.

How is emotional wellness achieved?

If the characteristics above sound familiar, or if you are experiencing similar feelings and symptoms, we encourage you to:

• Seek professional health and support.
• Do things that make you feel good and are positive choices that enhance healthy living.
• Implement things that you can do to help yourself, including engaging in regular physical activity and use of light therapy. (Learn more.)
• Find gems of inspiration that will support your journey to optimal health and well-being.

These are just a few of the possible actions you can take to improve your emotional health and quality of life. Please do not hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 if you feel life is not worth living.

What is emotional wellness?

• According to the NIH, “Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.” Being able to sleep well, have a positive outlook on life, and engage in healthy relationships with others all relate to emotional wellness. (Learn more.)

Why is physical wellness important?

• More than 80 percent of chronic conditions could be avoided by adopting healthy lifestyle behaviors (Bodai et al., 2018). These conditions include cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, obesity, and many cancers.  

How does one achieve physical wellness?

• Participate in regular, daily exercise, including aerobic, stretching, and toning activities. Varying activities from day to day is helpful.
• Primarily eat a diet that is whole-food and plant-based. Fill your plate with a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, add some whole grains, and include some protein such as legumes, all in moderate amounts.

Most experts suggest individuals need 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night. Additionally, the Bible encourages us to rest one day a week (24-hours) by setting aside our normal responsibilities and tuning into God and relationships.

What is physical wellness?

• We are physical beings. We have bodies that need food, physical activity, and sleep. To be physically well, we need to engage in healthy habits.

These are just a few of the things you can do to be physically healthy. Click here for great suggestions and more details.

Why is social wellness important?

God knows that we need each other, and He encourages us not to forsake the gathering of ourselves together in Hebrews 10:25. Research also indicates that when people have others in their life that care about them, they do better in life. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs includes love and belonging as most important, following the physiological needs of water, food, and sleep, and the need for safety according to Frates (et al, 2019). We need to realize that all of us have been influenced in some way by our surroundings in some form or another. However, the next time you are feeling down and speaking about how difficult life is, remember a time when you were so happy about what was happening, and others around you were all smiles as well.

How is social wellness achieved?

There are actions that can be taken to overcome the loneliness and isolation that people feel. Frates provides suggestions you can take:

• Accept other individuals as they are. Try to build trust with them gradually.
• Have an uplifting attitude and be confident. Most people prefer to associate with positive individuals.
• If you live alone, consider getting a roommate or pet.
• Be aware that loneliness is a signal that something needs to change.
• Consider volunteering for community service or another activity that you enjoy.
• Focus on developing quality relationships with people who share similar attitudes, interests, and values.

These are just a few suggestions, and there are many more. According to Frates's "Social Connectedness" chapter in the Lifestyle Medicine Handbook.

What is social wellness?

• Social wellness is having healthy, satisfying, and mutually beneficial relationships with others.

Why is spiritual wellness important?

Life is challenging. Yet, we don’t have to manage life alone. God cares about us and wishes to be in a relationship with us. Research indicates that those who have a faith connection feel supported and can manage life better. David asked God for a clean heart and renewed spirit in Psalm 51. In Ezekiel 36:26-29 God promises that He will give us a new heart and spirit. In Hebrews 4:15, 16 we are challenged to come boldly before God’s throne of grace and recognize that Christ does sympathize with us, knowing our weaknesses and temptations. Believe that God will do as He promises for you today!

How is spiritual wellness achieved?

Spend time in reflection, contemplating who you are in relation to those around you. Consider what is your purpose in life and how are you living out your most important values. When you can define the values that are most important to you and determine your purpose, life is less stressful and reactive. A good place to start is with God.

• The Bible encourages us to take time to know who God is in Psalm 46:10.
• Slow down, pause, and enjoy the experiences life presents you.
• Many of us hurry through life and miss opportunities that would enhance our life and enjoyment of it. Wise King Solomon suggested that there is a time for everything, so make time for everything.

What is spiritual wellness?

According to Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America, “Spiritual wellness is being connected to something greater than yourself and having a set of values, principles, morals, and beliefs that provide a sense of purpose and meaning to life, then using those principles to guide your actions.” (Read more.)