BRAVO!! Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand’s Prime Minister) is creating the world’s first “wellbeing’ budget, to help with mental health, domestic violence and child poverty. The budget will factor explicit measures of public welfare alongside economic growth. A monumental step forward in recognising the future of one’s wellness and wellbeing is absolutely essential. So what is the meaning of wellness and why it does it matter?
Wellness is an active process that considers a person’s emotional, physical, mental and spiritual state to achieve a balanced – happy and healthy – life. The National Wellness Institute of Australia defines wellness as “our physical, social, emotional, work, spiritual values, and intellectual lives, along with our cultural values, environment and finances all impact upon each other and our overall balance – our wellness.” Wellness is an evolving process of change and growth that enables optimal living, relative to an individual. Wholistic wellness matters, because it is fundamental to living a healthy, happy life. Our wellness directly affects our emotions, actions and the ability to manage and be resilient to the challenges of contemporary society.
What is one small change that you can do today, to invest in your wellness to improve your wellbeing?