Jun 13, 2015

Global Wellness Day - what does it mean to you?

Did you know today is Global Wellness Day? I have to admit, I didn't either. Wellness is quite a new word to me, but seems to be Über trendy right now. From what I can make out, it was a term used by the American biostatistician Halbert L. Dunn back in the 1950's - but can be traced back to 1800's as wellness and spas were very prevalent in the books written by Jane Austin (Persuasion & Northanger Abbey). What does it mean? According to the World Health Organisation wellness means:

"a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

OK then, hands up, who can honestly say they are in the wellness zone? Well done if you can. I know I can't. With a husband, three children (aged 20, 15 & 3), two step-children, various animals, the businesses, employees and a house to look after, I often feel physically exhausted, mentally drained and socially isolated from the outside world. All I can say is thank goodness for the sanctuary of my hot tub. It is a place, conveniently in my garden, which happens to benefit from the evening sun, where I can unwind and relax after a tough day. It's somewhere I know will help me to recover quickly from a run. It is a place we can spend quality time together as a family. It is an amazing place to entertain the few true friends who have continued to walk with us on our prohibitive journey. To me, wellness probably will not be a way of life for a few years yet. But it is a goal I am working towards. In the meantime, wellness to me means my hot tub! What does it mean to you? Feel free to leave me a comment, I'd honestly love to find out.