Discovering What Are Your Personal Values and Its Role in Your Wellness
When it comes to wellness, most of us think about regular exercise, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep. While these are critical elements of self-care, another essential piece of the puzzle is often overlooked- our personal values. Understanding our values can help us make better decisions, reduce stress, and lead a more fulfilling life. In this blog, we’ll explore the link between personal values and wellness and provide practical tips to help you identify and live according to your values.
What Are Personal Values?
Before we dive into the relationship between personal values and wellness, let’s define what we mean by values. Personal values are the things that matter most to us- the principles, beliefs, and standards that guide our decisions and behavior. Our values are formed through a combination of our experiences, culture, and upbringing and are deeply ingrained in us. Simply put, our values are what we hold dear, what we stand for and what motivates us.
Why Are Personal Values Important for Wellness?
Our values are the foundation of our identity, and when our actions align with our values, we feel more authentic and satisfied. Conversely, when our actions are out of alignment with our values, we experience cognitive dissonance, mental stress, and unhappiness. For instance, if we value honesty, telling lies can create cognitive dissonance and increase stress. Similarly, if we value work-life balance, working long hours can leave us feeling unfulfilled and stressed out.
Moreover, living according to our values can provide a sense of meaning and purpose, which is essential for our wellbeing. For instance, if we value social justice, volunteering for a social cause can be a meaningful and purposeful activity that enhances our self-esteem and social connectedness.
How to Identify Your Personal Values?
Identifying our personal values is a critical first step in living a more fulfilling life. Here are some practical tips to help you identify your values:
- Reflect on your life experiences and identify moments when you felt the most alive or most fulfilled. What were the values that were being expressed in those experiences?
- Think about the people you admire and respect the most- what values do they embody?
- Consider the things that bother you the most in the world- the issues that you would like to change. What values are being violated in those situations?
- Write down a list of words that resonate with you and what they mean to you. Some examples may include respect, integrity, honesty, kindness, love, and justice.
Living According to Your Values
Once you have identified your values, the next step is to live according to them. Here are some tips to help you align your actions with your values:
- Set goals that are in line with your values; this will help motivate you and provide a sense of purpose.
- Make a conscious effort to prioritize activities that reflect your values. For instance, if you value family, make time for your loved ones and prioritize family activities.
- Be mindful of situations where you may be compromising your values. For instance, if you value honesty, avoid telling white lies, even if they seem harmless.
- Be kind to yourself- living according to your values is a journey, not a destination, and it can take time and effort to align your actions with your values fully.
Conclusion
In conclusion, personal values are a critical yet often overlooked aspect of our wellbeing. Our values provide a sense of meaning, purpose, and authenticity to our lives. Identifying and living according to our values can help reduce stress, increase life satisfaction, and provide a significant boost to our overall wellness. So take the time to reflect on your values, prioritize them, and live a fulfilling life that reflects who you are.
