The A to Z guide to well-being (part 1 of 2)

The things that add up to a happier life don’t have to be complicated. Zaneta Cheng and Stephenie Gee put together an A–Z guide to looking after yourself – mind, body and soul 

A

A holistic system of alternative medicine science with roots in the Indian subcontinent, Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means the science or study of life. With over 3,000 years of knowledge, the practice uses a range of treatments from herbal medicine to
yoga and massage in order to balance the mind, body and spirit. B An easy introduction to Ayurvedic treatments could be a chakra healing or shirodhara, a healing technique that involves the slow and steady dripping of medicated concoctions on the forehead
to achieve psychosomatic balance. 

B

Nutrient-dense and warming, bone broth is the newest fad to enter the wellness-sphere despite its benefits being touted in Asian communities for a very long time. But late is better than never. Made by boiling down animal bones and connective tissue, the flavourful and nutritious concoction is an excellent source of collagen, supporting skin health and digestion while also reducing chronic inflammation and strengthening the immune system. 

C

We all have that friend who loves a cold plunge and makes it their entire identity. While it might not be for everyone, the benefits of immersing in cold water under 10 degrees Celsius can help reduce inflammation and improve mood as well as sleep. Many on a weight- loss program also swear by an ice bath for its ability to help the body work more efficiently and burn fat more quickly. 

D

At first it was just a juice cleanse, then it became a two-hour break from the smartphone. Nowadays, the term detox has become a 360 health reset, removing the body from unhealthy substances ranging from processed foods, refined sugars, to social media and blue light. The range of options are more plentiful than ever before but with the barrage of information and people that require our attentions, whether a detox is self-imposed or outsourced to a wellness retreat, this process of ridding the body of toxic or unhealthy substances via food or seclusion is more popular than ever before.

E

It’s not pleasant, for sure, but an enema, which involve inserting liquid directly into the rectum to facilitate bowel movement and to cleanse the colon is one of the bigger trends in wellness right now, despite having been around for centuries. Never painful, just not very comfortable, many people swear by an annual colon cleanse to reset the gut and cleanse it from compacted stool that might be difficult to excrete. For deeper cleanses, colon hydrotherapy as it’s also known, can also reinject with supplements and aloe to sooth and renourish for a full gut reset.

F

First of all, what is fascia? It’s actually connective tissue that connects all the muscles and organs within the body. Healthy fascia allows for mobility and pain-free movement. It also sends sensory information back to the body. Unhealthy fascia tends to show up as muscle pain, weakness or limited range of motion. Because the tissue is so integral to everyday movement, fascia stretching can help improve balance, prevent injury and even relieve stress. 

G

Thanks to the wildly popular Netflix show Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut, the gut is now known as the body’s second brain, regulating physical and emotional health. A good gut microbiome can affect the overall health of the body. Microbial composition is more important than ever because in many instances illnesses such as obesity and depression can be linked to the lack of specific bacteria within the gut. For optimal gut health, the focus is on dietary diversity first and foremost. Make sure to eat 30 different plants a week to keep building a healthy gut microbiome.

H

From mental health regulation to pain control, hypnosis turns out to be a lot more than the souped-up images of mind-control that many of us have grown up seeing in cartoons. Hypnotherapy is the therapeutic use of the hypnotic state, likened to a deeply relaxed trance, during which the therapist uses agreed-upon methods to help achieve certain goals or to curb certain habits. Some have noticed it easier to quit smoking after a session because the state allows people to tap into deeper parts of the brain where thoughts, beliefs, perceptions, sensations, emotions and memories originate.

I

Live a life that sparks joy, is perhaps a glibber way of explaining this Japanese philosophy. The term itself combines two Japanese words, “iki” which means life and “gai” which means value, showing that when a person has a sense of purpose, they have a reason for living. The premise is to find what you love, what the world needs, what you’re good at and what you can get paid for. At the convergence lies your purpose. Once found, ikigai also proposes that one shouldn’t retire, but rather work well into later life as a life with purpose is the secret to longevity.

J

Who knew that the little notebook that you kept safe with a lock and key as a child would be touted as one of the practises encouraged by therapists to help control mood and manage thoughts and feelings as an adult? A means of recording our lives, journaling can help to sort through events and problems while decluttering the mind. Another way to cope with stress, anxiety and depression, writing down your thoughts and feelings can also identify triggers while allowing for self-awareness and understanding. 

K

Science and data are becoming the backbones of the wellness business. From Oura rings to blood tests to DNA targeted integrative wellness programs, awareness of the state of our bodies secured from test results done outside of an emergency setting can arm us with knowledge on how best to care for ourselves preventatively and how best to adapt our lifestyles to optimise health and longevity.

L

Since the pandemic, longevity has become one of the wellness industry’s newest frontiers. Gone are retreats and programs designed to help you relax, these days ever-newer resorts are partnering with hospitals and clinics to deliver DNA tests, scans and MRIs to form complete treatment plans based on science and advanced diagnostics to help identify and personalise practises and programs to help slow down and mitigate the effects of aging utilising a combination of exercise, healthy eating, mental health and preventative healthcare.

M

You know that phrase "live in the moment"? It’s oft touted yet hard to accomplish for many, but mindfulness meditation is an exercise that trains us to do exactly that. As a practise it teaches us to be in the here and now, engaging in one moment through all the senses in the body without judgement. It’s an exercise that can train and re-train the brain to process and accept negative feelings and stressful situations, teaching the body to find a centre of calm in moments of tension and anxiety. 

Also see: Astrologist Letao Wang's 2025 predictions for each zodiac sign