Balanced Living: Measuring All Aspects of Health

Written by Ambrianna Callum-Sherif

Society leans on the idea that there is only one way of living that is truly healthy and it often focuses on physical health. This view creates the illusion that if you have a consistent fitness routine and the best nutrition plan you will look and feel healthy 24/7, all year round. However, only considering these two factors will result in an incomplete measurement of health and an un-sustainable form of « healthy » living.

To truly be healthy, our mental and emotional health need to be nourished as they are very important factors that contribute to allowing our body to achieve homeostasis, or balance. We need to take care of our mind just as much as we take care of our body, measuring ones health from a whole body approach. This is where living a balanced lifestyle can help.

A balanced lifestyle is a way of living that considers all aspects of health: mental, emotional, and physical. Each one of us, need to find our own personal set of healthy habits and routines that allow us to feel our best. This way of living creates harmony between our mind and body which leads to a sustainable balance of good health.

Bio-individuality is a term used to describe the idea that we are all different with unique dietary, lifestyle, emotional, and physical needs. Each person has their own individual blend of these needs that influence their overall health.

Imagine reaching optimal health as creating a nourishing salad bowl. We all have the same list of ingredients we can use to create our bowl: a variety of leafy greens, colourful vegetables, protein, fat, and carbohydrates. When creating our bowl, we each have certain preferences that impact what ingredients we decide to add. This results in each individual person tailoring their bowl to their specific needs, creating their own recipe to health.

Similarly, balanced living includes looking at lifestyle factors – or ingredients – that influence our mental, emotional, and physical health. The amount and frequency needed of each factor to create ones recipe to health is personalized. These factors can include:

• Nutrition
• Body Movement
• Sleep Hygiene
• Creativity
• Spirituality
• Relationships
• Home Environment
• Career
• Finances
• Education

All aspects of health and wellness are connected and impact each other. For example, establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship directly impacts both your mental and emotional health – having enjoyable social connections help lower anxiety and depression; correspondingly, increased feelings of trust and empathy come from having that strong connection with someone. Similarly, engaging in regular body movement is not only a good way to maintain good physical health, but it also helps manage stress and encourages the body to produce “happy hormones” which benefit mental and emotional health.

When you look at health from a whole body approach, you will be able to nourish your mind and body which allows you to truly be healthy in all aspects of health. Remembering that we are all bio-individual will help encourage you to explore different lifestyle factors, finding your unique recipe to achieving health.

Creating realistic goals and action steps, and adjusting them when needed, will help you figure out a set of healthy habits that will work for you long term. Habits help form routines and routines become a lifestyle. As a you reach your health and wellness goals and become the best version of yourself, having a balanced approach allows your lifestyle to be sustainable while allowing flexibility for lifelong success!

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