How we achieve wellness

To optimize wellness, individuals can adopt various lifestyle practices that promote holistic health. By creating a structured routine that prioritizes these elements, individuals can improve their physical fitness, emotional health, and mental clarity, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Addressing mental health

To improve mental health and achieve wellness, several proven strategies can be used:

• Time in Nature: Spending time in nature, like at a park or in green spaces, helps reduce stress and improve mood. Just being outside or doing activities in nature can have a calming effect.
• Mindfulness and Relaxation: Practices like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, muscle relaxation, or listening to calming music can help reduce stress. These are easy to do at home and can help improve mental health.
• Socializing and Community: Being around others and joining community activities can improve mental health by offering support and preventing loneliness. Social connections are especially important for people who may feel isolated.
• Wellness Programs: Joining programs that focus on stress management, mindfulness, and goal-setting can be helpful. These programs often teach skills that improve how people think about and manage their mental health.  It’s also important to address any mental health problems such as addiction, mood or anxiety disorders with a healthcare provider.
• Holistic Approach: Combining these strategies, such as exercise, good nutrition, sleep, and self-care, leads to better overall wellness. A balanced approach helps improve both mental and physical health.

Who treats Wellness?

Wellness is a multifaceted concept that can be addressed by many healthcare professionals, each offering unique skills and perspectives.  Examples include:

• Primary Care Physicians: Primary care doctors play a key role in wellness by conducting wellness checkups. These visits are important for discussing ways to prevent disease and providing necessary health services. They also help catch health problems early and improve overall patient health.
• Physical Therapists: Physical therapists are important for managing chronic diseases. They focus on encouraging physical activity and changing unhealthy behaviors to boost wellness and prevent illness.
• Social Workers: Social workers focus on improving wellness by addressing challenges related to relationships, housing, and social isolation. They provide counseling, support, and advocacy to help individuals and families manage these issues.
• Case Managers: Case managers coordinate care and services for individuals, helping them access resources related to employment, education, and financial stability. They ensure that people receive the support they need to improve their overall wellness.
• Peer-Support Specialists and Wellness Coaches: These professionals are becoming more valued in mental health care. They promote whole-person health and wellness through peer-driven support, helping people achieve better mental and physical health.
• Corporate Wellness Programs: These programs promote wellness in the workplace by creating a healthy culture and improving the health of employees.
• Community Health Workers (CHWs): CHWs help connect people with community resources and support, addressing issues like housing insecurity, food access, and social isolation. They offer valuable assistance in navigating health services and building community support.
• Financial Counselors: Financial counselors assist with managing money, budgeting, and planning for financial stability. They help reduce financial stress, which can improve both physical and mental health outcomes.