9 IngredientS of Wellbeing

During lockdown the issue of wellbeing has come into the forefront for individuals and organisations. Not knowing what the future holds. Not being able to anticipate what next week will be like – let alone next month or in 6 months’ time.  This uncertainty adds to the stress you may be already experiencing due to current working conditions, having to balance work and home life, furlough and social distancing precautions.

It is important we take care of ourselves and others.

Wellbeing is not simple, however. It is a lot of integrated components. Just like when making a cake, we need to add all the essential ingredients. If we leave one out the recipe will be out of balance. They are all integral and necessary. 

Mind and body are inextricably linked when it comes to our wellbeing. Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact on physical health, leading to an increased risk of some conditions.

Over the last few months, I have spent some time researching this and have generated 9 elements that contribute to our wellbeing. They all happen to start with an ‘S’. This wasn’t the plan initially but hey, when it started to naturally emerge, I decided to go with the flow. All nine are important. Some of these ingredients may require more of your focus at times, but overall, we need a balance.

In this article I will define the 9 ingredients and in coming weeks expand on them, taking each one in turn with ideas of how we can maximise our wellbeing in that area.

1. Socialise – I put this one first, as recently most of us have been in lockdown with limited face-to-face socialisation. Our innate need for socialisation has given rise to zoom meetings, virtual parties, online pub quizzes, etc. Socialising boosts feelings of wellbeing. It decreases feelings of depression, strengthens our immune systems, plays a role in longevity, relieves stress, and improves cognitive function.
2. Surpass – Human beings naturally want to learn. We need to grow and surpass what we could do yesterday. This natural tendency is what enabled our species to evolve and thrive. Learning new skills is always a useful endeavour, however it also has a positive effect on your wellbeing. It can boost self-confidence and self-esteem, help build a sense of purpose, and foster connection with others. People engaged in learning report feeling better about themselves and a greater ability to cope with stress, as well has feeling more self-confidence, hope, and purpose.
3. Spirit – Here, I am referring to the ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through connectedness with self and our relationship with the wider world. Practising mindfulness regularly can help reduce stress and improve mood; it can also help people to become more emotionally alert, to listen more attentively, communicate more clearly, and can increase self-awareness and the awareness of others.
4. Sleep - Far from being a minor concern, poor sleep can have a major impact on our mental wellbeing and day to day lives, with sleep playing a vital role in our relationships, our mood and our ability to concentrate. Sleep also gives you energy and boosts your immune system, helping your body recover from illnesses.
5. Sustenance – Nourishment doesn’t just promote physical well-being. Research increasingly points to a link between nutrition and mental health. Eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet can contribute to a whole range of benefits including decreased stress and anxiety, boosts in mood and energy levels, and a lower risk of disease.
6. Strength – Improving our strength, particularly as we age, has significant health benefits such as increased muscle mass, stronger bones, joint flexibility and balance. But, studies have shown that it resistance training also plays a role in boosting our mood. (On a separate meaning for strength: focusing on your strengths, rather than your weaknesses is beneficial to your wellbeing).
7. Suppleness - Stretching your body to become more supple and flexible offers many physical benefits. Such training allows for easier and deeper movements while building strength and stability. Stretching your muscles and joints also leads to greater range of motion, improved balance, increased flexibility, fewer injuries, a positive state of mind, and improved physical performance, posture and balance.
8. Stamina - is the strength and energy that allows you to sustain physical or mental effort for long periods of time. Increasing your stamina helps you endure discomfort or stress when you're doing an activity. It also reduces fatigue and exhaustion.it is our ability to keep going without flagging. When the heart and lungs are primed to work efficiently through endurance activity, stamina levels are good and we develop more resilience.
9. Stability - Balancing is a complex skill that involves the brain, muscles, and parts of the inner ear. If you don't practice and maintain balance, the coordination between these three systems can deteriorate over time, making it harder for you to stay upright and maintain proper posture. Having a strong core helps with our stability and overall body health.

Look over the 9 Ingredients again. Think about which ingredients are in short-supply or missing from your life 'cake mixture'. In which area could you benefit from most by addressing in some way today?