Wellness and ThriveOn
What is Wellness?
The word itself can be confusing as it's used in a variety of forums and applied toward a great many concepts, some of which only very loosely relate to individual health or well-being.
In concise terms, wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being. There are two important aspects to this definition: quality of life and sense of well-being.
We all can see qualities of life that have a direct effect on our health: physical activity, nutrition, access to healthcare, etc. Those qualities that affect our sense of well-being can be harder to identify but have just as great an impact on our health: pressures at work, financial troubles, relationship difficulties, and so on. These factors produce stress and diminish our positive outlook, which in turn affect how well our bodies function.
This is critical to note, as the mental or emotional component is often overlooked while a focus on one's physical fitness or disease risk factors is more heavily emphasized. In order to achieve a state of wellness in our own lives or try to guide others to it, we must tend to the whole person while meeting them where they are. We may not all be physically fit or have healthy eating habits; we can, however, work toward advancing our own wellness state by setting achievable goals and celebrating our own accomplishments.
Intellectual and Emotional
Subject matter focusing on one's mental health and the mind-body link. What goes on in our heads can affect how our bodies operate.
Social and Community
Links to the central Ohio community and the non-profit organizations that can provide help as well as volunteer opportunities for those who want to give back. Helping our community to flourish helps ourselves as well.
Physical
The lifestyle choices we make regarding what we eat and what keeps us active have immediate and long-ranging effects on our personal wellness.
Material
The "stuff" of life that can wear you down. Bringing subject matter experts on legal issues, financial planning, and professional development to help you achieve the life you want.
About ThriveOn
The concept of ThriveOn was born out of a need to reposition employee health and wellness in a new light.
Rather than approach employee wellness from a "need to improve" perspective, ThriveOn supports a "desire to live well" outlook. A simple shift in thinking can have a huge impact on our motivation: instead of the message that a person is inherently unhealthy and must work to achieve better health, the ThriveOn program encourages behavior changes made from the desire to live and be well.
Wellness is a lifestyle that is incorporated into every facet of your daily life. Not only physical activity and nutrition, but emotional and environmental health can play just as important a role in your overall health status. Cultivating a culture of wellness, reaching your personal goals transforms something you need to do into something you want to do.
The multidimensional approach to ThriveOn seeks to address the variety of factors in one's life that can lead to unhealthy choices. Incorporating these dimensions beyond the physical (what we do, what we eat, etc.), we can effect a deeper change that will further advance our overall health status. Each dimension is unique, therefore ThriveOn will tailor its programs to reflect the dimension it is addressing.