Achieving Well-being in the New Year

In alignment with our corporate Values, RHD is committed to creating environments that promote the ongoing enrichment and well-being of the individuals in our community. We believe our impact on the communities we serve is influenced by adopting a “whole person” approach aimed at positively influencing overall well-being, including physical and emotional health.

As one year ends and a new one begins, many of us with a “whole person” mindset will be considering how to be healthier, more positive, and looking for answers to the questions – What can I do to achieve more balance in my life? And where is my life do I need to find well-being for myself?

Well-being is a personal state that includes the following six aspects. Briefly consider each one and discover which parts of your own life may need more attention this year.

Six Aspects of Well-being

• Health includes not only our body but our mind as well — the way we handle our emotions, attitudes, and stress. Look at the areas in your life where your body and mind might need attention. For example, are you getting enough sleep at night? Poor sleep has been linked to obesity, lowered immune function, and memory problems. Are you getting enough exercise? Exercise is not only essential for weight management and physical health, but it also improves mood and sleep patterns. Taking care of your body and responding to emotions and stress in a healthy way can create a ripple effect of positive health throughout your life.

• Our relationships can affect us in larger ways than we might realize. Studies have shown that people with strong relationships live longer than those who stay isolated. But don’t let that statistic frighten you if you don’t have many friends—helping others out by volunteering or giving them comfort when they need it can also boost your life expectancy.

• Having a sense of security contributes to well-being by lowering levels of anxiety and fear, which have negative impacts on health. Ensuring the safety of yourself and others is an important part of fostering overall peace and balance. You can nourish your own sense of security by practicing preventative habits—like wearing a seatbelt or helmet—or actively engaging in your own healthcare by talking to your provider about questions you have.

• Knowing our purpose in life calls us to examine our gifts, passions, and values, as well as the way we can serve the needs of the world. Understanding our purpose, or where we find meaning, can improve our physical health, lengthen our lives, and improve our relationships with others. For many people, finding purpose is an ongoing process throughout life, so do a check-in with yourself occasionally. Ask: Do I feel fulfilled? Is what I do meaningful? Where do I feel a connection to something larger than myself?

• Our community may feel like it’s something that exists outside of our personal domain, but the lives of those around you deeply affect your own. Consider getting more involved with your community by volunteering or getting to know your neighbors. A strong community will foster the well-being of individuals. What can you do to facilitate well-being in your neighborhood, church, or place of work?

• Likewise, the environment in which you live can affect your well-being. Take some time to examine your personal space—does it reflect serenity and organization, or is it cluttered and chaotic? Your own mood, as well as your physical health, will reflect the environment around you. Make sure you take time to be with nature every day this year, whether that means taking a walk outside over your lunch break or putting a leafy, green plant in your kitchen. This may help you avoid the depression scientists now realize is caused by “nature deprivation.”

Along with examining the Six Aspects of Well-being, consider the following wellness tips to jump-start your 2022 and beyond:

Clean Eating

Add more fruits and vegetables to each meal.
Consuming a variety of colored fruits and vegetables has shown to promote longevity, disease prevention, and overall wellness.

Drink half your body weight in water.
When the body is dehydrated, it doesn’t run efficiently. Drinking water has plenty of benefits including increasing energy, flushing out toxins, improving skin complexion and boosting immunity, to name a few.

Non-Toxic Living

Use wholesome and natural items for household cleansers.
Substitute vinegar and water to clean countertops and baking soda to cut grease rather than strong, toxic cleaners. Or look for cleansers filled with more natural ingredients.

Add essential oils to your beauty regimen.
Many people use essential oils for their calming, and anti-bacterial healing benefits.

Active Living

Be active daily
Aim for 30 minutes of activity daily. Break it up throughout the day: 10 minutes before work, 10 minutes afterward, and 10 minutes home with the kids. Many studies show that walking daily promotes disease prevention.

Aim for new measurable goals monthly
Think short-term; create a new goal every month. Consider drinking homemade juices or smoothies five days a week or not eating packaged snacks for a month.

Mindful Living

Meditate for 10 minutes an early morning.
Meditation can wipe away the day’s stress, bringing with it inner peace. Check out digital resources like iTunes for guided mediation, such as Headspace or Insight Timer, and Calm.

Find an inspirational space to recharge and just be.
Give yourself a few minutes a day to recharge. Create a space in your home or office where you find calm. Whether you take a few moments to pray, meditate, or journal – give yourself time to just be.

Well-being is a dynamic process. Achieving well-being requires patience, self-compassion, and the willingness to try again. Take small steps along the way and trust that by nourishing yourself and those around you, the right balance will emerge.

Here’s to healthy and more positive habits in 2022!