In social media and marketing, words become so overused they lose their meaning. It’s kind of like someone who yells all the time – we get used to it and tune them out. But when a person who is always quiet raises their voice, we listen, right? Wellness has become a buzzword people have thrown around for so long that it has lost it’s meaning.
So what does wellness mean to me? A lot and nothing at the same time. I’ll try to explain.
CAN YOU DEFINE WELLNESS?
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines wellness as “the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.” That is a pretty broad definition. So what exactly does that mean? The short answer is that it can look very different from person to person. Because of this, I like to start at the very basic requirements for someone to be considered “well” and then build upon that.
For someone to be considered physically healthy, they should “eat right” and “get plenty of exercise.” The ways to do this vary so wildly that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Like anything, it is based on the individual. Exercise for one may be a lot of resistance training; for another, it may be lots of running. For one person, low-carb diets may be the goal; for another, it may be cutting back on fats. I, like good coaches and trainers, work to help my clients achieve THEIR goals, not mine.
What we eat is rolled into wellness. As mentioned, diet goals vary wildly. The first thing most people think of when they hear the word diet is someone trying to lose weight. What about the person wanting to add some size? What about the person who has reached their goal weight and simply wants to maintain it? People with medical conditions? It’s easy to see how one brush is insufficient when dealing with nutrition.
Mental health is one of the biggest parts of wellness and is often neglected. Too often, people think of physical and mental health as separate. The reality is that one affects the other more often than not. I’m not a psychologist so I won’t ramble on about this subject. I only mention it as a way of bringing attention to it.
TOOLS THAT CAN HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR WELLNESS
Most of these things are common knowledge. So how can you work to balance your own wellness? Well, for exercise, you can hire a personal trainer. For diet, you can hire a registered dietitian. For mental health, you can see a psychologist. Sounds easy, right? It is, as long as you have the means to afford those services. While your best results will almost always come from hiring a professional, some people can’t. What if you can’t?
I’ll try to provide some tools you can use to get started.
PHYSICAL FITNESS
For people interested in more knowledge concerning resistance training, bodybuilding.com has a huge library of how-to videos. For those interested in more advanced strength training methods, Westside Barbell’s website has a ton of resources, as do EliteFTS and Thibarmy.
For running, Runner’s World has resources ranging from beginners to advanced. Other sites to check out are Physiorun and Runners Connect. There are so many good resources out there but, as with anything, be aware of who/where the resources are coming from.
NUTRITION
In terms of diet, there are so many ways to eat and be healthy. For this reason, I try to keep it as simple as possible. I have had great success, both professionally and personally, with the Carbon Diet Coach app. The app can be used to lose weight, gain weight, maintain weight, and even reverse diet. I recommend it to all of my clients who want a simple solution when dieting. The app allows you to track your food, similar to other tracking apps. Carbon takes it a couple of steps further by adjusting your calories weekly based on your goal. There are several diet coaching apps available; this is just the one I use personally. I don’t get anything for mentioning the app; it’s simply a great tool.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is an area where I always recommend seeking professional help. There are some great apps for meditation and mindfulness, something I recommend including in your daily life. Examples are Headspace and Calm. For anything else, please consider contacting a licensed professional.
WELLNESS IS INDIVIDUALIZED – THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH
Wellness goals vary from person to person and can even change for each individual as we age. There are so many other aspects of wellness I have not mentioned. Do you see now why I said it means a lot and nothing at the same time? These days, when someone mentions wellness, my first thought is, “Which part?”
It is important to note that the resources mentioned are in no way meant to be used to diagnose, treat, or cure any physical or mental health issues. Not everyone may be in a position to utilize these. If there is ANY doubt or preexisting condition, I encourage you to seek professional consultation. Additionally, the opinions of the companies mentioned do not necessarily reflect the opinions of InDependent and are mentioned as educational resources only.
ABOUT TOBY
Toby Ralph is a military spouse, father, and physical health advocate. As a personal trainer and natural bodybuilding coach, his focus is improving mental wellbeing through physical fitness. Gaining control over your mental and physical health is key to successfully navigating the stressors you face daily. His story was the cover article for Military Families Magazine in December 2022.Toby Ralph is a military spouse, father, and physical health advocate. As a personal trainer and natural bodybuilding coach, his focus is improving mental wellbeing through physical fitness. Gaining control over your mental and physical health is key to successfully navigating the stressors you face daily. His story was the cover article for Military Families Magazine in December 2022.
