Healthy living is not just one aspect of life — it is the accumulation of many habits that make up a whole and impact how we live every day. The health pillars — movement, nutrition, rest and recovery, mindful lifestyle and health checks — support the idea that everything we do is connected.

Think of it this way: Have you ever been seated at an unsteady table at a restaurant? Each time you put your elbows down or try to touch your plate, the table rocks. Think of healthy living in the same way. If we don’t focus on each aspect of wellness, our foundation won’t be as strong. Seemingly small things, like missing an annual physical appointment or not getting enough sleep, can create issues in other areas of your life.

We can’t control everything in life, like family history and certain injuries or disease, but by building a strong foundation, we can mitigate our risk for health concerns and work toward living a healthy, happy life.

Take a moment to think about your habits for each pillar. Is there a pillar that is strong? Is there one where you have room for growth? Here are a few ideas on how to strengthen each pillar:

  • Movement: Strength exercise (2 to 3x per week), cardio exercise (150 minutes or more per week), flexibility (2 to3 days per week), 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week
  • Nutrition: Limit fast food/processed foods, consume five fruits/veggies daily, drink eight glasses of water daily, pay attention to portion size
  • Rest and Recovery: Sleep 7 to 9 hours per night, ensure proper nutrition
  • Health Checks: Know your numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose), get a yearly physical, talk with your doctor about family history
  • Mindful Lifestyle: Practice relaxation techniques, plan for the future, practice positivity

Each month, our team highlights these pillars through challenges, education, classes and other fun events. We invite you to get involved in the educational courses we offer.

If you want to learn more, register and get updates on our current wellness challenges, sign up to receive our monthly newsletter.