Health and wellness: My life experience

Do you know what the first thing that comes to mind when I hear about health and wellness? For me, it's the key to a full and balanced life. And no, I'm not talking about living disease-free. I'm talking about something much deeper: the balance between body, mind and relationships. Over the years, I've had the good fortune (and sometimes misfortune) to experience firsthand what it means to take care of my well-being. Believe me, I've learned some important lessons that I want to share with you.

What is health really?

When I was young, I thought being healthy simply meant not being sick. How naive I was! But the World Health Organization defines it much better: health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of physical, mental and social well-being.

And that, my friends, completely changes the rules of the game. Because being healthy isn't just about whether or not you have the flu; it's much more than that. It's about being well with yourself and your surroundings. It's not enough for your body to be fit, your mind and your relationships also need attention.

Wellness: much more than a physical state

Wellness is that state to which we all aspire. It's feeling like everything is in its place. And yes, it includes being physically healthy, but also feeling good emotionally and socially. For me, wellness means waking up in the morning, feeling that I can conquer the day, that I have energy and that my mind is clear and focused.

But, how do you achieve this wellness? In my experience, there are no shortcuts or magic formulas. What I have learned is that wellness is built on a daily basis, with small actions that add up and end up making a big difference.

The body is your temple, but so is your mind

It's easy to focus only on the physical. In the media, you're bombarded with information about dieting, exercise and supplements. And of course, physical activity is fundamental. Moving your body not only keeps you fit, but releases endorphins that make you feel good. It's a positive cycle!It doesn't matter if you go for a run, do yoga or just walk for an hour a day; the important thing is that you keep your body active.

But here's the trick that many overlook: If you don't take care of your mind, you're leaving a very important part of your well-being unattended. Mental health is just as critical. I've been through times of anxiety, stress and discouragement, and believe me, they can't be ignored. Learning to manage stress, disconnecting when necessary and surrounding yourself with people who add up is vital.

Meditation has been a game changer for me. At first I didn't understand it, but dedicating a few minutes a day to simply be with myself, in silence, has done wonders. Also, techniques like mindfulness or simply practicing breathing exercises are simple ways to reduce stress and find that needed balance.

Healthy relationships, holistic wellness

It's not just the body and mind that play a role in our well-being; our relationships matter a lot too. The people we share our lives with have a huge impact on how we feel. I've learned to surround myself with positive people, avoid unnecessary drama and nurture those relationships that really matter.

It's not about having thousands of friends, it's about having the right people. Those who are there to pick you up when you fall, who inspire you and support you on your path to a fuller life. Never underestimate the power of a good conversation, an evening with friends or a sincere hug.

The role of prevention

Over the years, I realized that taking care of my well-being also meant being proactive with my health. And here I'm going to be completely honest with you: for a long time, I was one of those who only went to the doctor when something was wrong. Big mistake.

Prevention is key, both physically and mentally. Getting regular checkups, even if you feel fine, can make a big difference. I, for one, started taking my health checkups more seriously in my 40s. Better late than never!

Sometimes catching something early can be the difference between a quick fix or a bigger problem. And the same applies to mental health. It never hurts to talk to a professional if you feel things aren't quite right.

Sleep: the forgotten pillar

One of the things I've had the hardest time learning is the importance of sleep. For a long time, I believed that sleeping less to work more made me more productive. How wrong I was! The body needs rest, and depriving it of sleep is like trying to run a marathon with a broken leg.

Good sleep is essential for physical and mental health. The brain needs those 7 to 9 hours of sleep to function optimally. If you're not getting enough sleep, no matter how many vitamins you take or how much exercise you do, your body and mind will never be at 100%.

Work-life balance

We live in an age where productivity and success seem to be the metrics that define our value. But I have learned, based on mistakes, that if you don't find a balance between your work and personal life, you end up burned out. And not only at work, but in life in general.

Dedicate time to do things you enjoy, disconnect when necessary, learn to say no when something saturates you. My experience has taught me that success means nothing if you don't have time to enjoy it.

Conclusion: Small changes, big results

The road to health and wellness is not easy, and I assure you it's not fast either. But it doesn't have to be suffering either. It's the small daily habits that end up making the difference. From watching what you eat, to taking 5 minutes for yourself every morning. It all adds up.

So, if I may give you some advice, start today. Don't wait for tomorrow or to have everything under control. Make a small change, and you will see how, little by little, this state of well-being becomes your new standard of living.