By TKay Nthebe
As a Financial Wellness Coach, I’ve realised that I cannot only advocate for financial wellness in isolation. The other pillars of holistic wellness play an important part and impact our finances, so being mindful of them is key. Similarly to Jenna Templeton in her article titled “The 8 Pillars of Holistic Health and Wellness”, I want to encourage the readers of Leruo to be mindful of the pillars of holistic wellness, especially now as we ease in to the new year.
- Physical wellness- take care of your body
The festive season is an opportunity to rest and unwind, especially after a very difficult year. Taking care of your body and squeezing in a few minutes to exercise is critical. Being physically well, reduces your chances of falling ill. So,
- Stay physically active, do home workouts or take a walk.
- While attending social gatherings is fun, make sure to get enough sleep.
- For more information, speak to your fitness coach/instructor about home exercises and/or workouts.
- Nutritional wellness – take care of your diet
The temptation for unhealthy eating gets high during the festive season, often leading to weight gain or illness. It’s often said being healthy is 80% nutrition. Eating your vegetables and staying hydrated is necessary. Speak to your dietician about a suitable eating plan.
- Social wellness – take care of your relationships
Nurturing relationships with family and friends is very important, but family time can also lead to conflict. The holiday season is breeding ground for unresolved issues or nasty comments gaining weight, marriage, or career progression. Be mindful of your words when talking to others, especially those that you don’t meet with often, and remember to always be kind.
- Emotional wellness – take care of your emotions
In many families, talking about feelings or emotions is often frowned upon. Being home can unearth emotions – negative or positive. It is therefore important to identify, assess and process your emotions and if you are overwhelmed consult your therapist about tools that can help you cope.
- Spiritual wellness – find your purpose
The spiritual pillar in this regard is defined as finding your purpose or reason for being – not religion. The holiday season is also a great opportunity for introspection. Allocate some downtime for mindfulness, journaling, and planning for the new year. Remember, finding your purpose is a journey. Start working on it but be patient with yourself.
- Environmental wellness – be mindful of your surroundings
Living in clean surroundings has an impact on your wellbeing, so ensure your environment is healthy,
- Avoid littering,
- Keep your and neighborhood clean.
- As the heavy rains continue, make sure your children are safe – avoid dams and rivers
- Always observe COVID-19 protocols
- Ensure your car is roadworthy, avoid speeding and hitting potholes that can damage your car or lead to road accidents.
- Intellectual wellness – take care of your mind
Lastly,exercising the brain is often taken for granted. Take time to learn a new skill or acquire new knowledge by playing games e.g., chess, 30-seconds, puzzles. Alternatively, read a book, listen to a podcast and keep your brain stimulated and engaged.
Tis’ the season to be merry and optimistic about the new! Let’s be mindful of our wellbeing. And remember that life is not only about money. Let’s ensure that were prioritise those other pillars of wellness and have a great, safe festive season.
