A mind once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.

Anonymous

Wellness:  A Lifelong Pursuit!

Wellness is a catch phrase we hear a lot about these days. The media uses the term frequently and our Alberta “Health” Care system has been re-named Alberta Health and Wellness. Let’s explore what wellness means and how we can work towards it.

Most people think of wellness as feeling good or having no symptoms. It’s the quiet time between bouts of sickness. Prevention and early detection of disease is sometimes thought of as wellness. These definitions focus on symptoms and how to avoid disease rather than taking direct steps towards wellness.

Wellness is the process of being more alive in each day. Having a full life experience, being fully aware of your surroundings and being able to respond appropriately to them is the essence of wellness. Symptoms are a part of this and so is what we think of as sickness. Let me explain.

Most people think that you are sick when you have cold symptoms. But let’s consider the aspects of a cold and the purpose of them. The three main parts of a cold are a fever, runny nose and coughing. The purpose of the fever is to raise body temperature so the immune system can kill off the offending viruses and bacteria. The runny nose and cough is a way the body gets rid of viruses and bacteria. If our bodies did not perform these functions, what would happen? A simple cold could develop into pneumonia or something more serious. From this perspective, symptoms of a cold are a healthy response to situation that exists in your body. 

So how do we work towards wellness? Wellness is not something you have one day and lose the next. It is a process. It requires daily attention for the rest of your life. It is not a diet or a quick fix. You can start right now whether you have symptoms or not. 

A sound nervous system is the foundation for wellness. You live your life through your nervous system. The perception of your surroundings and the response to them takes place through your nervous system. The nervous system is also the bridge between your mind and body. When they are well connected, you are creative, alive and aware. You have the ability to perform at a higher level. Your efforts towards wellness are maximized.

Take the next step to wellness. Get your nervous system and spine checked by a chiropractor. What you do today determines your health for tomorrow. Act now to start the process of wellness, it’s a lifelong pursuit.