Written by: Sofiya Stasiv, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a Holistic Lifestyle & Adventure Coach, I am on a mission to guide people in living holistically aligned lives that create balance, ignite adventure, and infuse excitement into the journey of embracing the best practices for caring for our bodies, minds, and souls. Whether you are a global explorer or an adventurer immersed in the simple tasks of your day, finding wonder and adventure in self-care is essential.
Wellness is often perceived as “soft” health, not given the recognition it truly deserves. It has acquired a negative reputation due to its expansive scope. However, our lives are dynamic journeys encompassing various facets, necessitating a more serious consideration of wellness. A holistic approach to well-being extends beyond physical health, delving into the realms of mental, emotional, social, and even spiritual harmony. In this exploration, I aim to present a thrilling journey through the lens of adventure, unraveling the interconnected tapestry of the 8 Pillars of Wellness.
1. Physical wellness: The expedition of the body
Our physical wellness is the bedrock of our adventurous life. Without our body, there is no ability to venture into the many avenues of life. Our body is our vessel, and maintaining its health is the first step. Imagine it as a daring expedition—scaling mountains, crossing rivers, and embracing the challenge of maintaining an active lifestyle. Each step, each workout, becomes a conquest, leading to the peak of physical well-being. The key to this journey is how playfully you can make it for yourself. What movements feel natural and joyous? Once you can answer this, the path to physical wellness has begun.
2. Mental wellness: Navigating the mind’s wilderness
The mind is prone to uncharted wilderness, demanding exploration. Mental wellness invites us on an intellectual adventure, encouraging continuous learning, problem-solving, and creative endeavors. Without the expedition of the mind, we can quickly lack the ability to find our inner strength, as mental wellness equips us with resilience, adaptability, and a sense of purpose.
3. Emotional wellness: The rollercoaster of feelings
Emotions are the winding currents of our inner seas. Emotional wellness is the art of navigating these waters with flow. Every emotion is a chapter in our adventure story—from exhilarating highs to challenging lows. Accepting and understanding these emotional landscapes forms the vital foundation for emotional well-being. The ability to identify the array of emotions can help us let the emotion pass through us with ease, as it can be seen as ever-fleeting, yet carrying a message in passing.
4. Social wellness: The string of connections
The adventure of wellness extends beyond the individual into the realm of social connections. Picture it as a beautifully woven silk item, the interwoven strings creating the strong bonds needed for a lasting hold. This can be translated into the interwoven strings of people we come in contact with. By building and maintaining meaningful relationships, fostering a sense of community, and embracing diversity, one can see these elements are necessary for the wellness expedition to be of value.
5. Spiritual wellness: The quest for meaning
The spiritual dimension of wellness is a profound quest for meaning and purpose. It involves the exploration in an unknown that cannot always be tangibly seen but creates a journey nonetheless. This can include introspection, meditation, and a connection with something greater than oneself. This journey fuels inner peace and resilience, adding depth to the adventure of life. The spiritual quest, although not always prioritized, is the anchor of hope and where the true richness lies when allowed an experience to be both inside and outside ourselves.
6. Environmental wellness: The house we live in, Earth
Our planet is a vast, interconnected ecosystem, and environmental wellness is our responsibility as stewards of the Earth. Without oxygen or water, we cease to exist; the trademark of being alive is quickly banished. Thus, adopting sustainable practices, connecting with the outdoors, and preserving the environment in the unique and passionate ways we desire can allow for the chapters to continue on our adventures, rather than end due to a lack of recognition. Our actions ripple across the planet, and it is vital to see the reflection of yourself with the environment to determine if you are in harmonious balance.
7. Occupational wellness: The career trek
As humans, we are built to create. We are all inherent creatives, and work is not merely a means of livelihood; it's a significant portion of our life adventure. What we offer the world reflects ourselves. Occupational wellness involves finding satisfaction and fulfillment in our professional pursuits as finding alignment with personal values, continual growth, and a balance between work and life are a must for our sustainability and the quality, curiosity, and reason to be in partnership with our creative arts.
8. Financial wellness: The expedition of abundance
The journey of money is based on energy. It must be seen as energy that is endless, as energy cannot be damaged or destroyed. Financial wellness must be seen as the expedition towards economic stability and abundance. Creating the systems to harness, care for, and grow this energy is often a struggle for most, yet it can be done with careful planning, budgeting, and investing. Navigating this terrain successfully allows for the freedom to explore other dimensions of well-being without the encumbrance of financial stress. It must begin with the narrative you hold regarding money and how you wish to use it.
Conclusion & takeaways
By embarking on the voyage of exploring the 8 Pillars of Wellness through the lens of adventure, we discover that wellness is not a static destination but a vibrant, ever-evolving journey. Each pillar contributes a unique journey to our life's adventure, shaping our narrative in profound ways. The spirit of adventure is the crux needed for wellness as it invites us to explore, grow, and find fulfillment in the dynamic landscape of our holistic well-being. So, gear up, fellow adventurers, for the journey of a lifetime awaits!
Sofiya Stasiv, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Sofiya Stasiv is a Transformational Lifestyle and Wellness Coach and Registered Nurse. Her mission is to guide adventurous souls in exploring their health through an adventurous lifestyle for a more aligned life. She empowers you to stop living in the passenger seat of your life and reclaim it once more through the art of adventuring. Her multifaceted experiences within healthcare, coupled with her status as a first-generation immigrant and her passion for exploring diverse cultures, provide her with a distinct ability to assist you in viewing the world through a new and transformative lens.
