What Does It Take to Achieve Overall Wellness?

Wellness is the new fad nowadays. Individuals want to feel content, at peace, and live with their mental, physical, and spiritual needs in alignment. So, is it really a fad, or are people just realizing that life's too short not to be well? Achieving overall wellness takes time and hard work. Further, the journey toward attaining wellness can be more challenging when also struggling with a mental health condition. Your overall wellness journey will also be influenced by any potential struggles with substance use disorder (SUD). 

Of course, achieving wellness looks different for everyone because we all have different ideas about what it means. One thing is for sure – living a life of overall wellness requires us to improve our mental health and heal from addiction. West Coast Recovery Centers can help you do that. Our addiction treatment and mental health recovery programs may just be exactly what you need in your journey toward overall wellness. Call or visit our website to learn more about our programs and our San Diego facility today. 

What Does Wellness Mean to You?

Everyone might have a slightly different definition of wellness but, in general, it refers to a state of good health. More specifically, it refers to the idea of achieving optimal mental and physical health. At the surface, this may include adequate nutrition, exercise, and weight management. Yet, for many, wellness also encompasses spiritual contentment. In any case, people must define their idea of wellness before embarking on a journey to achieve it. 

So, what should you do to create your own definition of wellness? Well, it starts by determining what's important to you, the goals you want to achieve, and what you want your life to look like. What issues are you currently experiencing? Which steps can you take to get to where you want to be? What life changes will you have to make in this journey towards overall wellness? Prepare to answer questions like these as you consider what others believe overall wellness is. 

What Defines Overall Wellness?

Wellness is critical when it comes to addiction treatment or mental health recovery. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), wellness is “central to recovery from behavioral health conditions.” However, wellness, as mentioned, has a different meaning for everyone. In general, though, they indicate that it's more than the “absence of disease or stress" and also includes having:

• Life purpose
• A healthy body 
• Involvement in “satisfying work and play” 
• Joyful, healthy relationships 
• Happy and healthy living environments  

Additionally, they claim that wellness is multidimensional and interconnected, consisting of eight dimensions. These include: 

• Emotional wellness
• Environmental wellness
• Financial wellness
• Intellectual wellness
• Occupational wellness
• Physical wellness
• Social wellness
• Spiritual wellness

How Substance Use Hinders Our Overall Wellness

Substance use impacts millions of people every year. Whether that includes excessive drinking, drug use, or both, substance use will impact one's overall well-being at almost every level of wellness. The inability to control one's habit can lead to: 

• Emotional distress 
• A toxic or harmful living space and environment 
• Financial trouble due to the need to support the habit 
• Impairments in cognitive functioning 
• Issues at work or the loss of one's job 
• Physical risks or health conditions 
• Isolation and lack of contact with friends, family, and loved ones 
• Disconnection from self, others, and one's beliefs 

The examples listed above are just a few ways substance use can hinder your overall wellness. Thankfully, seeking treatment and getting sober can help realign these aspects of your life. However, along with seeking treatment, individuals must also embark on a journey toward improving their mental health. 

Improving Your Mental Health to Improve Your Overall Wellness

Everything is connected, especially our mental and physical health. Thus, to achieve mental wellness, we must prioritize our mental health. Now, individuals seeking addiction treatment will also receive care for co-occurring mental health conditions. However, if you're solely struggling with your mental health, West Coast Recovery Centers can provide outpatient services for mental health conditions, too. Our partial-hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP) can aid in your journey toward attaining overall wellness today. 

How Can You Start Improving Your Overall Wellness Today

Of course, anyone may embark on a journey of wellness without needing treatment for SUD or a mental health condition. Consider these tips and tricks to start improving your overall wellness today: 

• Ensure you get enough, consistent quality sleep 
• Drink plenty of water and eat more nutritious foods 
• Move your body daily by walking or engaging in another activity 
• Find activities and hobbies that you enjoy 
• Practice mindfulness techniques and learn to reduce your stress 
• Limit screen time, especially before going to sleep 
• Prioritize spending time with friends, family, and loved ones 
• Spend time outdoors breathing fresh air and soaking up the sun 
• Consider counseling services to help improve mental health 
• Carve out time for self-care and doing small things you enjoy each day 

Achieving overall wellness may not always be easy, but it's always worth it. Consider using these tips and tricks to start improving your well-being today!

Nowadays, everyone is looking for sustainable ways to improve themselves in every aspect of life. However, achieving overall wellness is often easier said than done. Especially for individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) or a mental health condition, the idea of finding wellness can feel next to impossible. For some, treatment is required, but for others, simply making a few life changes can help facilitate the process and journey to improving overall well-being. West Coast Recovery Centers can help you begin your wellness journey by providing services that help treat SUD and co-occurring mental health conditions. Interested in learning more about us and our programs? Call (760) 492-6509 for more information today!