Maciej Żylewicz

Imagine blue sky and finest white sand caressing your feet. You are just about to start your yoga session. The image in your head is pure perfection.

All it’s missing are a few wellbeing hashtags: #SelfCare #Wellness #Mindfulness.

But is this “real” wellbeing? The answer is yes and no. Most likely it is the picturesque social media imagery that constitutes maybe five per cent of our wellbeing needs.

Ever since we moved the concept of “being well” from the realm of impressions to the world of science, we know that there is much more than this. And while there are many general guidelines, there is no one indicator of wellbeing. Yours is not mine, and mine is not yours.

But we need it for the same reason. Every time you feed your mental, emotional, social and physical needs, you put a little bit of wellbeing honey into your jar.

Every time something bad happens, somebody steals the honey from your jar. The name of the game is not really to stop them but to make sure you pour in more than is being taken out.

Of course, even if your jar is full, bad things can happen – there are genes, volatile geopolitical situations and random events.

But by taking care of your wellbeing you are still increasing your odds and staying on top of the game.

Stop for a moment

How are you doing? We as humans have become really good at turning this phrase into just another hello.

Whenever you are asked the question, social programming makes you skip its true meaning and go into the casual exchange of pleasantries.

Instead, stop for a moment. Start the day with the question directed at yourself – How are you really doing today?

For a moment, don’t be a CFO carrying the burden of the world, a parent who has to be strong for the kids or a spouse who doesn’t want to worry the loved one.

– Check your physical health: Support the observation with all the technology that can help you.

Your smartwatch, your wearable device or a simple blood pressure machine will provide you with data that you can later work with.

– Check your social connections: How are your relationships – not in general, but today? Did you block out any time for them?

– Check your emotions: What are they telling you? Recent findings in psychology move us away from the concepts of negative and positive emotions, rather emotions are pleasant and unpleasant.

What is your ratio for today? If there are any unpleasant ones, what are they helping you to cope with?

– Check your thoughts: Do you feel focused? Is there clarity? Are there any lingering thoughts that send waves of mental discomfort?

So, how are you really feeling today?

Dive deeper

From that initial pulse-check comes the opportunity to dive deeper.

You can break each of the categories into smaller containers that will allow you to pinpoint potential areas of improvement.

For instance, if you feel your physical wellbeing is at risk, the answer lies most likely in the field of sleep, diet or movement.

Strategise

Pick areas that you can affect fast, but don