In simple layman term - Functional Wellness is knowing what is harmful/unhealthy for you and staying away from it.
In other words Functional Wellness is treating the root-cause of the problem rather than the symptoms.
Sounds vague?
Let me break it down to you!
What is the meaning of functional wellness?
Functional Wellness means figuring out the root cause of a problem. It means a holistic approach towards a problem.
Functional Wellness says - Don't just treat the symptoms. Address the underlying cause and focus on overall wellbeing.
It doesn't mean this - If you're fat - don't eat, fast and lose weight quickly. Imagine what that does to your mental health. You don't get proper sleep. You don't feel good about yourself. Every moment is a battle where you're chasing to be someone who the world would like and approve.
What are the four types of wellness?
From a Functional Wellness POV if you're fat. Focus on all aspects of your health.
Say you have some stretch marks on your skin.
When you go to a doctor, he will take a Traditional approach. He will suggest you some cream, some medicines and sometimes will suggest you a surgery.
But, there could be many reasons you've got those stretch marks.
Here may be the possible causes of you having stretch marks:
- Genes - Genes play a huge role when it comes to stretch marks. maybe your Mom had it or maybe your Dad has it.
- Excessive Weight Loss or Weight Gain - When you lose excess amount of weight or gain excess amount of weight in a small period of time, you actually shrink down your body. As a result your skin - which is elastic - has lost its shape and has got stretch marks.
- Cortisol levels: Cortisol levels means the amount of stress in your body. If you're Cortisol levels are high, chances are you have stretch marks.
- Deficiency of Collagen - People say its Vitamin C, D, E, Zinc and etc. They may be true. But the true reason your skin loses its elasticity is due to deficiency of collagen.
Now, let's understand this from a Functional Wellness POV:
Functional Wellness is a holistic approach towards a problem and it tells you these solutions for your Stretch marks.
- Relax - Focus on lowering your cortisol levels by indulging in things and activities that bring you real joy and happiness.
- Get Quality Sleep - Sleep will recharge your mind and relax your body. When you do that your skin gets a chance to repair and relax.
- Focus on Healthy Eating - One of the Key things of Functional wellness is focusing on the root cause of problems. Focus on healthy diet - rich in fiber, loaded with High quality Protein, vitamins and minerals.
- Doing Weight Training - Finally coming to the Physical aspect of Functional training where you tone your body doing weight training.
- Just the right amount of Cardio - Cardio is for Physical health, emotional health, as well as Mental health. It can be in the Gym or by the lake or anywhere where you feel you're free and feel there is no one to judge you.
What is the function of wellness?
Wellness - a common term we've heard it so often from so many fitness influencers on various Social Media platforms right.
But what is the function of wellness?
From my experience - wellness is about staying healthy on the inside as well as on the outside. it's not either or. It's BOTH. That's what's meant by Holistic Wellness - aka - Functional Wellness.
These days people are spreading so many knowledge about this diet and that diet. Some are correct and some are incorrect.
As a Layman how do you know what works for you?
Do, you need to lose weight? Or do you need to gain weight? Do you need muscles? How much muscles is good enough? How much fat percentage should you have?
Well it's a confusing rigmarole of truths and lies.
And, to add fuel to the fire, social media algorithms will read your activity and will keep filling your feed with stuff that talks about these things.
But lets come back to the question - what is wellness?
Wellness is something that focuses on all four aspect of your health - Mental, Emotional, Physical & Spiritual.
Meaning if you want to be Healthy, you've got to take care of your Mental health, your emotional health, of course your physical health, and the least talked about - your spiritual health.
Difference Between Fitness and Wellness
Fitness in general terms refers to staying physically active. Running, strength training, etc. But wellness refers to a complete care of your health - your mental health tops this list, followed by emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
A research shows that 75% of GenZ goes to the gym for Mental and Emotional health.
Which tells you the "real" truth - Fitness isn't just about staying physically fit on the outside. It's not just about physical agility and flexibility.
It's also about the ability to handle any situation in a healthy way emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
On that note, let's end the topic of Functional wellness here.
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