Taking care of your overall wellbeing is a task that should never be taken lightly. But sometimes life can be hectic, and it’s easy to lose track of our long-term health goals. Why not take a step back and reflect on how your overall wellbeing is doing? Through a wellness assessment, you can evaluate your current physical, mental, and emotional health—as well as review positive and negative lifestyle habits. Take a deeper look at your overall wellbeing and be inspired to make the lifestyle changes necessary to achieve better health.
1. Taking an Inventory of Your Health
It’s important to conduct an inventory of your health from time to time. Knowing your baseline levels such as your blood pressure, weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar can all help you stay on top of your overall health.
To get started, set a timeline. Is it a six-month check-up, or do you plan on conducting a health assessment every few years? Knowing when and how you’re prepared to gather feedback can help you stay on track and be consistent.
If you’re unsure of where to start, consider setting up a consultation with your doctor. It may lead to some tougher conversations, like discussing diet and lifestyle influences but it’s an important first step to prioritize your health.
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- Make an appointment with your doctor and set up a health assessment.
- Organize your medical records, such as test results, for each medical provider you have seen.
- Be honest and open with your doctor when discussing diet, lifestyle and habits.
- Share any concerns you have about your health.
There are a lot of numbers to track when it comes to your health. But having regular checkups and organizing your health records can give you greater insight and help you stay healthy.
2. Understanding Your Wellness Assessment
Are you curious about what your wellness assessment revealed? While knowing your numbers and body mass can give you an idea of your fitness level, chances are there’s more lurking below the surface than just what appears on a wellness chart. Here’s what to know when diving into a deeper understanding of your wellness assessment.
1. Analyzing Your Biometric Numbers
A comprehensive wellness assessment will include multiple biometric numbers such as your cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, BMI, and more. Knowing the meaning behind these numbers is key to being able to distinguish what’s healthy, normal, and even optimal for you. These scorecards provide a snapshot of your current physical—as well as mental—condition. Remember that healthy numbers don’t indicate that you’re well; however, each number is a valuable piece in the puzzle of keeping yourself fit and healthy.
2. Taking a Closer Look at Your Blood Pressure
Blood pressure measurements provide a good indication of your cardiac health. Normal readings should be beneath 120/80. However, readings above this may indicate trouble. Elevated blood pressure can lead to severe problems such as stroke and if left unchecked, hypertension. By understanding your blood pressure numbers from a wellness assessment, you can take proactive steps to help keep yourself healthy.
3. Analyzing Your HDL and LDL Levels
HDL or high density lipoproteins are protective against heart disease, while LDL or low-density lipoproteins can lead to cardiac troubles. During a wellness assessment, a doctor or nurse practitioner will look for indications of poor cholesterol, which are traditionally readings at or above 200. Knowing your HDL and LDL levels from the report can help you adjust your diet, lifestyle, and exercise to help manage your cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of future health problems.
4. Getting a Grip on Your Weight and Percentage of Body Fat
The numbers don’t always tell the whole story when it comes to weight and body fat, but they can provide a starting point for further investigation. BMI (body mass index) is the most commonly used standard to determine if a person is at a healthy weight. Knowing your ideal weight, and your body fat percentage can help to ensure that you are at the healthiest weight for your age, gender, and activity level.
5. Tracking Your Fitness Levels
A wellness assessment can also measure your overall fitness levels. Knowing your resting heart rate and target heart rate can help you gauge your intensity while exercising and provide an indication of how efficiently your heart and lungs are working. Additionally, the assessment may include a measure of cardiorespiratory endurance with an exercise tolerance test.
Understanding the results of your wellness assessment can provide valuable insights into your overall health and well-being. By unpacking each biometric, you’ll gain clearer insight on which areas of your health to focus on to further your health journey.
3. Making Changes to Improve Your Wellness
Positive Body Image and Self-Acceptance
One key step to improving your wellness is developing a positive body image and self-acceptance. Being kind to yourself and looking at yourself in a more compassionate light can boost your mental and physical health. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey:
- Write a list of your positive traits and physical attributes
- Allow yourself to make mistakes and let go of perfectionism
- Don’t compare yourself to others
- Cultivate gratitude for both your body and life
Move Your Body
In addition to fostering self-acceptance, engaging in physical activity is a proven way of improving your wellbeing. Regular exercise can lift your mood, build physical strength, and offer numerous other health benefits. For instance, workouts can reduce stress, prevent illness, and lead to better sleep.
Find something you enjoy that gets your body moving, like a dance class, swimming, or simply going for a brisk walk. Even small amounts of physical activity can be beneficial, so don’t feel discouraged if you cannot commit to a lengthy routine. Every bit counts.
Friendships and Social Connections
Humans are social creatures, so acquiring and maintaining friendships is integral to a healthy life. Whether it means seeking out a support group or simply catching up with a friend on the phone, being connected to others can lift your spirits and give you something to look forward to each day.
It is equally important to be mindful of the relationships that surround you. Do your best to let go of acquaintances who take more than they give and pursue sound partnerships with those who make you feel uplifted and happy. These relationships will help you improve your mental and emotional wellbeing.
4. Gaining a Fresh Start Through Wellness Reflection
One of the greatest benefits of wellness reflection is the opportunity it provides to gain a fresh start. Taking a step back and reflecting on our daily lives gives us the opportunity to hit the reset button, so to speak, and start fresh. Here are four steps to achieving a fresh start through wellness reflection:
- Confront Your Challenges – The first step to achieving a fresh start is to admit that you are facing a challenge, and be honest about what it is. Identifying the areas in your life that need improvement can be difficult but it is the key to taking control and moving forward.
- Step Out of Your Comfort Zone – It can be easy to feel comfortable within your daily routine, and not look to challenge yourself. With wellness reflection, you can step out of your comfort zone and pursue new opportunities.
- Make Time for Yourself – Practicing self-care is an important step to making a fresh start. Make sure to take some time each day to reflect on your life, accomplishments, and dreams. Taking the time to connect with yourself can help you gain clarity on what you can do differently.
- Embrace Change – Change can be daunting, but it is an essential part of making progress and achieving a fresh start. Embrace the changes that come your way and don’t be afraid to make some attempt to change the things you can.
Incorporating wellness reflection into your daily routine can help you gain a fresh start. This type of reflection allows you to take a step back, evaluate your life, and make the changes you need to move forward and start fresh.
If you’ve read this article, hopefully you’re feeling better informed and equipped to assess your overall health and wellness. Make it a priority to take the time to reflect on your health and well-being, and act upon any areas of improvement that have come to light. Don’t be afraid to reach out for professional help if you need it. After all, your health and wellness is your biggest asset. Here’s to taking better care of it!
