National Wellness Month encourages many people to focus on healthy eating and exercise, but experts say wellness is much broader than physical health alone
Dr. Stephen Lahr with Family and Children’s Services joined News On 6 to discuss often overlooked parts of wellness, including emotional health, attention and social connections. He said taking a more complete approach to wellness can improve both mental and physical health
Lahr said nutrition and physical activity remain important, but true wellness includes emotional, mental and social well-being
He said chronic stress, social isolation and constant distractions can affect physical health just as much as poor nutrition or a lack of exercise
“This Wellness Month is a great reminder to take a look at that whole picture and look at everything we just talked about and how you find balance in your daily life,” Lahr said
He added that improving one area of wellness can often lead to healthier habits in others
“Sometimes when I feel better, I eat better, and I’m more likely to exercise,” he said
Lahr said attention health refers to a person’s ability to focus and stay present
He said many people constantly shift between phone calls, emails and social media notifications, creating mental fatigue
While technology keeps people connected, he said it can also become overwhelming
One simple way to reduce stress, he said, is limiting unnecessary notifications on a phone
Lahr said social connectedness is another key part of overall wellness that is often overlooked
He said healthy relationships can help reduce stress, improve mental health and even contribute to a longer lifespan
“We get really busy, and it’s easy to assume that everyone just kind of knows that we’re thinking about them,” Lahr said. “But really taking that effort to call a friend, have lunch with a colleague, or reach out to family is very meaningful.”
He said wellness is not only about caring for yourself but also about maintaining meaningful connections with the people around you
Lahr encouraged people to use National Wellness Month as an opportunity to evaluate all aspects of their health, not just physical fitness
He said small steps, such as reducing distractions and strengthening relationships, can make a meaningful difference in overall well-being
