As COVID continues to make itself known across the globe, individuals are feeling its impact across all facets of their daily lives. The pandemic has taken a toll on the health of the individuals, both physically and mentally. In such stressful times, to calm the anxiety levels and boost mental health, it is important to remain focused on health and wellbeing. With the help of proper diet, exercise, a relaxed mind and good sleep, any individual can overcome these tough times.
Thoughtful living is living without distractions so you can focus on what really matters most to you. Many people associate thoughtful living with convenient living, sustainable living, and conscious living, and while they wouldn’t be wrong to do so, here at Amrit Palm Beach Luxury Residences and Wellness Resort, we believe that thoughtful living is inextricably linked to living in wellness.
If you want to achieve a life of bliss, you need to first establish a robust and balanced emotional foundation that is wellbeing. Wellness is the conscious development of the whole self, so you achieve a state of mental, physical, and social well-being. When you embark on a wellness journey, you must search for the appropriate tools to make you a happier and healthier human and then learn how to use those tools effectively to pursue continued growth and development. That said, though everyone’s path to wellness looks different, we at Amrit believe that there are five pillars of wellness you can and should incorporate to help your journey along.
Five Pillars of Wellness
The foundation for complete self-health is supported by five pillars: mindfulness, nutrition, fitness, relaxation, and sleep. Learn more about each pillar and how you can use each to enhance your life.
Mindfulness
Depending on whom you ask, mindfulness can mean different things. However, the best definition we found was from Psychology Today, which states that mindfulness is the self-regulation of attention with an attitude of openness, curiosity, and acceptance. This definition also happens to be the one researchers use to study and understand the ever-growing practice of mindfulness.
Mindfulness, when in action, simply means staying alert to the present. When your child smiles at you, take notice and revel in the feeling that smile brings. When you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle, don’t think about where you’re going. Instead, pay attention to and appreciate the details of your current surroundings. When you successfully develop the mindfulness of your thoughts in such ways, you can take more effective action toward your wellness goals.
Nutrition
The food you choose to put into your body today can have a major impact on your physical and mental health tomorrow and long into the future. There are several ways in which the food you eat can impact your mental health, two of which a Harvard Medical School journal explores in detail.
For one, high-quality foods that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals feed the brain and safeguard it from oxidative stress, which has the potential to damage cells. On the other hand, diets high in processed sugars not only worsen the body’s ability to regulate insulin but also, they promote inflammation and oxidative stress. Countless studies have discovered a link between diets high in processed sugars and reduced brain function and the aggravation of mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Two, the foods you eat affect your gastrointestinal tract, which is responsible for producing approximately 95 percent of your serotonin. Your gastrointestinal tract is lined with hundreds of million nerve cells, or neurons, that doesn’t just help your body digest food, but that also guide your emotions. The functions of these neurons are dependent upon the number of “good” bacteria that moves through the gastrointestinal tract. If you eat unhealthy foods, you risk hindering your gastrointestinal tract’s ability to produce serotonin, which could negatively impact your levels of happiness.
Fitness
Fitness is one of the five pillars of wellness for several reasons. The most obvious benefit of fitness is its ability to help you get in shape and feel better about yourself. However, the benefits of maintaining a fitness routine go far beyond the physical. Exercise boosts your energy levels and promotes better sleep, both of which you need to pursue your wellness goals. It also improves your mood and reduces symptoms of common mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress. For these reasons and countless others, fitness remains a pillar of well-being here at Amrit.
Relaxation
Though it’s common knowledge that stress can take a toll on your physical and mental health, too many people continue to view relaxation as a luxury, and one they choose to go without. However, studies show that relaxation is one of the healthiest things you can incorporate into your life. Though the benefits of relaxation are plenty, the top three include restored energy, reduced risk of chronic health concerns, and a more positive sense of self.
Sleep
Sleep is by far the most important pillar of wellness you can incorporate into your life. According to the CDC, sleep deprivation is officially a public health concern as it affects more than one-third of Americans today. Lack of sleep leads to obesity, inflammation, and imbalance, not to mention the long-term effects such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In addition to the physical consequences of sleep deprivation, lack of sleep also leads to brain fog and memory loss. If you truly want to get your health in check, you need to make sleep a priority. Once you consistently get your six to eight hours, only then can you truly begin your path to wellness.
Amrit Palm Beach Luxury Residences and Wellness Resort was designed around these five pillars of wellness. From helping guests practice mindfulness to ensuring they’re able to eat well, relax and get a good night’s sleep, we ensure that every guest has the opportunity to view each pillar in action and learn what they can do to develop the foundation for wellness in their own lives. If you’re ready to enhance your life, contact Amrit today.
