Is “wellness” just a trendy buzz word?

I was deep in conversation with a friend the other day and the topic of wellness came up.  “What exactly is wellness?”  And as I was about to happily regurgitate my usual response, I stopped and thought for a moment.  The “exactly” caught my attention.  And I thought, “What is true wellness?”  Is it just an idea, or word, that gets thrown around in the health and wellness industry?

I spent days pondering this question, journaling, meditating, researching and reading excerpts from my favorite books until I was finally able to embody the essence of wellness.  Merriam-Webster defines wellness as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.”  Sounds about right.  But, how do we achieve wellness?  

True wellness is complex.  It looks different for everyone.  My definition of wellness may not resonate with you, and vice versa.  First, what does “good health” refer to?  There is physical health, emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, healthy lifestyles, and the list goes on.  In order to achieve good health, all of these areas need to be explored.  They are all connected.  If our physical body is “healthy” but our mental health is not, it affects our physical body in negative ways.  If our mental health is “healthy” but our physical body begins to struggle, it can create mental health struggles.  If our physical and mental health is “healthy” but our lifestyle is not, it can affect the health of our body, mind and spirit.  

This is where our journey to wellness is unique.  As human beings, we are individuals.  No other person on this planet is the exact same as you.  Even if you have the same birth chart, live in the same town, grew up together, are from the same family, do the same work…no one is the same as you. 

Although our journeys are unique, connecting with others can be a source of support and guidance at certain times along our path.  It does not need to be an isolated journey.  Many of us may be overcoming similar obstacles or learning similar lessons as you.  Our experiences and wisdom may help you at some point.  Sharing resources, strategies, tools, practices, knowledge, information, and experiences will be beneficial not only for someone else, but for ourselves as well.  Human beings are social beings, and connecting with others nourishes the heart and soul.

So how do we achieve wellness?  By going within.  By connecting with our intuition and higher self.  By exploring and trying new things.  By following the curiosities and urges we receive.  By taking risks.  By being brave.  By stepping out of our comfort zones.  By loving ourselves.  By having faith and trusting that everything happens for a reason, even if it doesn’t make sense at the time.  By living from the heart.  Only you will know what true wellness means for you.  And only you will know how to get there.