Rejuvenate Your Wellness
Nora Rhoades, Family & Youth Development Agent
In Roman mythology, Janus is the god of beginnings. Janus is believed to be a two-faced god that looks into both the future and past. It seems appropriate for the first month of the year, January, to be named after him; after all, Janus symbolizes the progression from one vision to the next.
As we progress into a new year, the principal focus commonly surrounds rejuvenation. The verb, rejuvenate, means to give new strength or energy to something; to restore to an original or new state; to make youthful again. Wellness is often what individuals and families find themselves reflecting upon, visualizing, and making goals to rejuvenate throughout the new year. According to the National Wellness Institute, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”
Imagine an old wagon wheel with spokes. The round wheel relies on each spoke to carry the weight of a wagon and to cross the terrain of the land. In the same way, living a satisfying lifestyle relies on all dimensions of wellness. The dimensions are interconnected and dependent on each other. Wellness is holistic and supports people as they navigate through the world around them to live an enriched life.
As you approach goal-setting in the new year, remember to do so in a holistic fashion because extreme focus on one wellness dimension could lead to neglect in another area of your life. Set S.T.R.O.N.G goals that support overall wellness:
S = State it clearly. What do I want to improve, accomplish, and rejuvenate?
T = Time period. How long will it take me to accomplish my goal? Be accountable by setting a date.
R = Requirements. What steps do I need to take to accomplish my goal? What specific things will I do? Who could help me? What do I need to change?
O = Obstacles. What could get in my way and interfere with my progress? What/who could help me if it happens? What will I do to prevent or fix the issue?
N = Needs Review. How often will I check to make sure I am doing what needs to be done? How will I know if I am progressing or not?
G = Goal Accomplished! How will I celebrate reaching my goal?
To rejuvenate we reflect upon our past to identify and visualize what dimensions of our wellness need attention in order to promote a more satisfying, holistic lifestyle. As you progress into the new year and incorporate the tasks of reaching your goals into your routines and rituals, remember that K-State Research and Extension provides practical education you can trust – to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. We’re available with knowledge and resources to help you and yours accomplish goals, progress, and rejuvenate.
References:
The National Wellness Institute, www.nationalwellness.org/
Y.O.U. (Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc.), Social Emotional Learning Activities
In Roman mythology, Janus is the god of beginnings. Janus is believed to be a two-faced god that looks into both the future and past. It seems appropriate for the first month of the year, January, to be named after him; after all, Janus symbolizes the progression from one vision to the next.
As we progress into a new year, the principal focus commonly surrounds rejuvenation. The verb, rejuvenate, means to give new strength or energy to something; to restore to an original or new state; to make youthful again. Wellness is often what individuals and families find themselves reflecting upon, visualizing, and making goals to rejuvenate throughout the new year. According to the National Wellness Institute, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”
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Photo Credit: National Wellness Institute, www.nationalwellness.org/
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The six dimensions of wellness include physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and occupational. Physical wellness recognizes the need for health, nutrition, and physical activity. Social wellness emphasizes the value of contributing to your environment and community rather than living an all-about-me lifestyle. Intellectual wellness encourages creativity and discovering potential through lifelong learning. Spiritual wellness promotes understanding the meaning and purpose of human existence and the alignment of one’s actions with values and beliefs. Emotional wellness fosters awareness, acceptance, and management of one’s feelings which assists independent ventures and supports meaningful relationships. Occupational wellness recognizes the satisfaction gained from work through the application of one’s attitude, skills, and talents.
Imagine an old wagon wheel with spokes. The round wheel relies on each spoke to carry the weight of a wagon and to cross the terrain of the land. In the same way, living a satisfying lifestyle relies on all dimensions of wellness. The dimensions are interconnected and dependent on each other. Wellness is holistic and supports people as they navigate through the world around them to live an enriched life. As you approach goal-setting in the new year, remember to do so in a holistic fashion because extreme focus on one wellness dimension could lead to neglect in another area of your life. Set S.T.R.O.N.G goals that support overall wellness:
S = State it clearly. What do I want to improve, accomplish, and rejuvenate?
T = Time period. How long will it take me to accomplish my goal? Be accountable by setting a date.
R = Requirements. What steps do I need to take to accomplish my goal? What specific things will I do? Who could help me? What do I need to change?
O = Obstacles. What could get in my way and interfere with my progress? What/who could help me if it happens? What will I do to prevent or fix the issue?
N = Needs Review. How often will I check to make sure I am doing what needs to be done? How will I know if I am progressing or not?
G = Goal Accomplished! How will I celebrate reaching my goal?
To rejuvenate we reflect upon our past to identify and visualize what dimensions of our wellness need attention in order to promote a more satisfying, holistic lifestyle. As you progress into the new year and incorporate the tasks of reaching your goals into your routines and rituals, remember that K-State Research and Extension provides practical education you can trust – to help people, businesses, and communities solve problems, develop skills, and build a better future. We’re available with knowledge and resources to help you and yours accomplish goals, progress, and rejuvenate.
References:
The National Wellness Institute, www.nationalwellness.org/
Y.O.U. (Youth Organizations Umbrella, Inc.), Social Emotional Learning Activities
