Be Well with Washington’s new statewide initiative
“Wellness” is all the rage these days. Whether it’s taking a yoga class, downloading mindfulness apps, or using sleep trackers, everyone seems to be investing in products for their well-being. In 2023, the wellness industry was worth $23 billion in the U.S. alone.
While fitness trackers and meditation apps can be great, wellness isn’t really about the gadgets. It’s about working healthy habits into your daily life, no matter how small, so you can thrive instead of just survive.
The benefits of small, healthy actions we take every day are not just for personal health, but for communities too. It’s why we’re excited to launch Be Well WA, an initiative aimed at helping everyone in our state make positive changes to improve health and well-being in their lives, families, and communities.
What does Be Well WA focus on?
This initiative highlights four key areas essential for well-being: Active Living, Emotional Well-being, Healthy Eating, and Social Connection.
Movement
Moving your body every day has real long-term health benefits like reducing risk of heart disease, increasing resilience to injury, and improving memory. To reap the benefits, you don’t have to hit the gym or scale a mountain every day (unless that’s your thing.) Things you can try:
- Add gentle stretches into your day, like neck rolls or wrist circles.
- Park in a spot farther from the entrance to a store.
- Take the stairs.
- Move a little while watching TV, like during ads and between episodes.
- Clean your space — yes, chores count!
Emotional Well-being
Mental health is important, but sometimes it’s easy to let our busy lives and schedules take priority. Tuning into your mental state throughout the day can boost mood and memory, reduce risk of illness, and help you manage stress better. Things you can try:
- Aim for 7 hours of sleep.
- Practice positive self-talk — “I did a hard thing today and am proud of myself!”
- Get curious and try something new, like a class or volunteer event.
- Practice coping with stress in healthy ways like exercising or journaling.
- Text, call, or get together with a friend.
Nourishment
Eating healthy food is good for your body and mind. Small, realistic shifts can make a big impact on your immune system, energy levels, and mental health over time. Things you can try:
- Eat breakfast, and try to include whole grains, protein, dairy, and fruits or vegetables with every meal.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day. See how much water you should drink.
- Take time for “joy” snacks, like savoring a cup of coffee or tea, or taking a work break to eat a piece of fruit.
- Use smaller plates or bowls to help control portions.
- Buy frozen foods like vegetables, fruit, and whole pieces of chicken or fish, so healthy meals are ready to go.
Social Connection
Humans are social beings. In fact, studies show it’s satisfying relationships, not genetics, that play the biggest role in lifelong health. That doesn’t mean you have to be a social butterfly. Even a quick chat with someone in the checkout line can improve your well-being. Things you can try:
- Prioritize time with friends and family who make you feel good.
- Commit a random act of kindness — lots of ideas here.
- Show appreciation for the people you care about with compliments, gifts, or help with chores.
- Sign up for a class, club, or recreational sports league.
- Schedule a weekly game night with friends.
What will your wellness recipe be? For ideas, check out BeWellWA.org.
