There’s more to optimum health than just exercise – we must also look at our relationship to exercise, nutrition, sleep, and deliberate relaxation as well. Experts widely consider these to be the Four Pillars of Physical Health. Where are you deficient? Where do you overindulge? The key is to give each of these 4 pillars equal attention in order to improve and/or maintain stellar physical health. Ignoring one will most certainly impact the sustainability and strength of the others.
To further explore the Physical Health component of the Wellness Wheel and your relationship to the 4 Pillars, take 10-15 minutes for a Physical Health Inventory. Pull out your notebook and a good pen, then write our your answers to the questions listed below.
Physical activity
- Do I get enough physical activity?
- Am I comfortable with my body?
- Am I in a healthy weight?
- How is my balance, strength, flexibility, endurance?
- Am I getting regular checkups with my primary care doctor, my dentist, dermatologist, and Ayurvedic practitioner? 😉
Good nutrition
- How would I rate the quality of the food I consume? Is it close to the (S)source or is it overly processed and laden with chemicals?
- Do I have access to fresh, healthy food?
- Am I able to eat most meals at home so I can better track when I’m putting into my temple?
- Am I able to recognize hunger cues as well as the cues of satiety?
- Do I eat at regular times each day or are my meals scattered?
- Do I need help with menu planning, meal prepping, or nutritional counseling?
Deliberate Relaxation
- Do I block out time each day/week for deliberate relaxation?
- Do I make time for breathing and meditation each day or would I rather wait until the sh*t is hitting the fan and then race to the yoga mat or meditation cushion?
- How would my interaction with family and colleagues look if I were more at ease and calm?
- Can I set aside time each month to deliberately relax, to develop and cultivate leisure activities?
- Perhaps I can begin by scheduling the time to attend Lisa’s rest + reset class each Thursday evening.
Sleep
- How long do I sleep each night?
- How often do I wake up during the night?
- Am I using screens before bed (or when I wake in the middle of the night)?
- Do I feel rested in the morning?
- Do I have stable energy during the day?
With awareness and a bit of planning, you can fine tune your exercise, nutrition, rest, and sleep habits and watch your physical health improve dramatically!
