Ask people what they do to stay healthy and the answer is mostly along the lines of food and exercise. Staying busy, a close circle of friends, hobbies and a glass of wine also figure as top answers.
In many parts of the world there is much emphasis on just the physical aspect of health that many believe taking care of oneself though proper diet, regular exercise and social meet-ups is enough to bring wholesome wellness.
But there are many different dimensions of health that together make for wholesome wellbeing – physical, emotional, mental, nutritional, support system/social, spiritual, stress/mind management, purpose in life are some of these dimensions.
Investing time and efforts to prevent physical health problems is an idea the world has embraced but the idea of preventive mental health is still new to many. Matters of the mind need a different level of intervention, beyond sports and gym. The pandemic has brought to the forefront the importance of a mental health routine in addition to a physical routine.
Do you have a mental routine?
Do you know how to handle your mind and emotions?
Do you know how to tap into your own inner resources to feel well?
Or are you dependent on pills and substance to feel well?
The stay-at-home restrictions and travel bans have worsened our mental and physical health but there are proven ways to feel well even while at home.
Medicine focuses on illness. But we need to change that focus to wellness! Preventive care that is individualised and caters to different dimensions of our health is the best way to boost our overall immunity not just in this pandemic but also beyond.
The WFEB’s virtual conference on the 7th of April is a place to hear more of integrated healthcare ideas from around the world. The conference aims to shift the conversation from treatment to prevention and highlight that need to transition to an integrated health care which is holistic, preventative, and patient-centred in nature.
