Welcome to Wellness
Written by: Rachael Thomas
The concept of “wellness” is very broad. We aim to make wellness more digestible and show you how implementing wellbeing practices into your life can be as easy as playing Hooky more often ;-)
We define mental wellness through four pillars: growth, rest, play, and community. We believe those pillars, with a little bit of rebel, are the cheat codes to a life well lived. Backed by studies from the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the pillars and pathways of mental wellness have been proven to prevent and/or reduce symptoms of burnout, stress and other mental health illnesses. Let’s dig a bit deeper into what each pillar means and how you can incorporate them into your routine.
Pillar 1: Growth
According to the GWI, growth is about self-improvement and personal development. That includes reading, taking a workshop or seminar, participating in therapy or a support group, and memory-enhancing games and puzzles. On the physical end, a well-balanced diet of foods and supplements that nourish your body is the way to go.
Practice Growth: Keep your mind sharp by learning a new language — we recommend trying Duolingo. The website and mobile app offers courses for nearly 40 languages, all for free.
Pillar 2: Rest
While critical, rest is more than getting proper sleep. It includes rejuvenating and recovery experiences, including yoga, meditations, and practicing mindfulness. Rest can also be experiences that incorporate your senses like touch (a massage), sound (a soothing playlist), and smell (aromatherapy).
Practice rest: Check out Don’t Forget to Breathe, a curated collection of guided meditations by yoga instructor and trauma-informed educator Adria Moses (check out our chat with her here, too!)
Pillar 3: Play
It’s true that “grown-up play” can improve social wellbeing and help maintain healthy relationships. Play can be any activity that is leisurely, fun, and makes you laugh. From playing board games, to singing karaoke, to trying a new recipe — all of that falls under this category.
Practice play: Throw on your favorite songs and have a solo dance party in your living room. Maybe, Ally McBeal was onto something. Your body and spirit will thank you.
Pillar 4: Community
As the GWI puts it, “the sense of being connected to other people, and to the broader world, is intrinsic to our mental wellness.” We’re not made to go through life alone. Friends, family, religious or spiritual organizations, even pets, all provide much needed connection and support.
Practice community: Bumble isn’t just for finding romantic connections — the app can also be used to make friends and network with other professionals in your field.
Booster: Rebel
Practicing well-being boosting behaviors can be easier said than done. This pillar is all about taking the necessary actions that you need to prioritize and practice the other pillars. It’s the booster you need to level up and get the benefits of the pillars.
Practice Rebel: Play Hooky with us on October 19th! Block your calendar and celebrate the 3rd annual skip day for well-being. You don’t want to miss this annual celebration in reclaiming your time. Click here to learn more and download your free Hooky Day prep guide today!
The bottom line…
Growth, rest, play, and community are essential for mental wellness. And the beautiful part is there’s not one path — so you can do whatever way feels right for your lifestyle. Step one, Play Hooky More often.