The Connection Between Wellness And Attitude
Wellness, as defined by Merriam-Webster online dictionary is “the quality of being in good health”. Good health is often associated with healthy eating and exercise but is that all it stands for? According to The World Health Organization, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ” One may be physically fit and free of disease but still feel unwell, which leads us to wonder what more can affect our wellbeing. Our attitude, the way we feel or think about things, can go a long way in determining how well we feel. Attitude comprises of the emotions we depict towards our tasks and situations, the feelings we have towards the environment and the people around us, and the energy we give to or take from our surroundings. It varies in a broad spectrum that can include positivity, negativity or indifference. While some may contend that exercise and diet may be integral to wellness, wellness is more heavily influenced by the attitude adopted by people in their daily lives as their biological machinery and feelings, social interactions, and the environment attribute to their wellbeing.
The human brain operates by producing neurotransmitters and hormones, “Chemicals that transmit messages between cells and different body parts and regulates the function of various glands and organs” (“Understanding the role of hormones”). These chemicals help achieve feelings of happiness, pleasure, excitement, and fear that stabilize our mood and assist us in performing tasks. A positive or enthusiastic approach towards an assignment can help in performing it better and the feeling of satisfaction can evoke the release of Dopamine, a chemical responsible for the feeling of pleasure we receive when accomplishing something or being rewarded (“Understanding the role of hormones”). Similarly, if we adopt a negative or half-hearted energy towards a task then performing it becomes a hardship which may cause us to procrastinate. Buildup of this negative energy due to unsettled tasks may lead to stress and depression which is unhealthy for the mind and body. “Chronic stress or depression in humans induces either increased comfort food intake and body weight gain or decreased intake and body weight loss (Dallman Chronic Stress). “Pessimistic thinking is one of the features of depression” (Marano Depression) and depression can cause lack of sleep, appetite, and hormonal imbalance. Hormonal imbalance is dangerous not only for the physical well-being of a person but also for the mental wellbeing. Therefore, maintaining a lively attitude is important to guarantee wellness.
Our attitude in social interactions-daily or occasional dealings with people around us-can also affects how well we feel. Human beings are social animals, always in need of some form of communication. The energy of people around us and the topics being discussed can have an impact on our mood and thinking, as a study by Sandstrom suggests, “Social interactions with the more peripheral members of our social networks contribute to our well-being” (Social Interactions and Well-Being). For example, if a topic we feel very personally about is being discussed, we tend to get defensive or argue about it. If arguing leads to our point being proven correct, we feel a sense of triumph that makes us feel good. Moreover, if we are surrounded by people that radiate liveliness or are optimistic, we gravitate towards them and try to adopt their attitude. If we are in the presence of negative people, we might start feeling the same way about life. Our attitude can also vary depending on how people treat us. Imagine winning a competition you were part of, you would prefer being around the people who feel happy for you and are proud of you rather than being around individuals who feel jealous or taunt you. Similarly, if you are a victim of an unfortunate accident, you would go to people who sympathize with you, support you, listen to you, and make you feel better about yourself. Thus, it is fair to claim that a healthy attitude in social life can add to an individual’s wellbeing.
The environment we live in is in a continuous state of change. This change can also alter our emotions and feelings about the world and future which can impact our health and state of mind. Concerns regarding climate change, crime, politics, and security often keep our brains occupied but despite this, people who have a hopeful approach and are resilient, survive even in extreme environments. An example of this is Eskimos-a group of indigenous peoples of southwestern and northern Alaska, arctic Canada…(“Merriam-Webster”). These people live in harsh, cold weather yet still are well and content in life. When asked about what makes them happy, a clear majority answered with things like “outdoor activities, miscellaneous, sports and getting along with friends”. Also, in professional environments, peer pressure is treated as an issue that can affect people’s working abilities and health, but a strong will can counter these problems. A research by Ungar suggests, ” While the concept of peer pressure enables adults to explain youths' troubling behaviors, content analysis of the participants' accounts of their lives revealed peer pressure to be a myth” (The myth of peer pressure). Hence, environmental effects on wellbeing can be resisted by having a steady and buoyant mindset.
On the contrary, physical enervations and disabilities can inevitably lead to deterioration in wellbeing. Individuals suffering from diseases or even mineral and vitamin deficiencies require a healthy, nutritious diet as “Broader adherence to recommendations for daily intake of [food] may take away as much as 20-30% of the burden of …diseases”. Conditions such as Obesity can also give rise to many health problems. The prevalence of obesity has progressively increased globally over the last 30 years. Obesity can give rise to Cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, cancers, osteoarthritis and psychological disturbances. Regular exercise is required to prevent or fight off obesity. Despite this, being physically active and eating healthy can only take you to some extent. Overcoming a disease or disability or getting fit demands a lot of patience, support, and self-care. One must be self-confident and persistent against the obstructions and failures they encounter. This is where your attitude can greatly assist you. For instance, an obese person trying to lose weight may be a victim of body shaming and may feel insecure about themselves, but positive self-image and perseverance can help them out. In addition, a person suffering from paralysis might not be able to respond to therapy at some stages and may lose all hope, but the people around can help in uplifting them. An influential example of this is Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist who pioneered new understandings of black holes, the universe, and how much one person can achieve. He struggled with ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that confined him to a wheelchair for most of his life. He outlasted his life expectancy and lived up to the renowned quote, ” “While there's life, there's hope”.
Wellness and health are associated with the attitude we adopt in our daily lives. Wellbeing is affected by biological, social and environmental components. Our hormonal make-up, the feelings we portray towards people, our social interactions and the environment around us. These things affect us in various ways but if we remain strong and willful, we can survive and flourish. Our attitude helps in determining how healthy we feel and how well we do.
