Wellness Moonshot for February 2021: WONDER

This feature is part of Mindstream’s participation in the Wellness Moonshot, an awareness campaign for a world free of preventable disease that’s led by The Global Wellness Institute. Here’s our collection of reflections for the February 2021 theme of WONDER.

We live in challenging times, as health has dominated the headlines for a year. Through coping with the pandemic, we’ve learned a lot about wellness on international, national, regional, and local levels, plus our own. As of 2020, when we stepped out our front doors, we knew our behaviour could impact another person’s health. And it’s not just germs that are contagious — actions and attitudes are, too.

In times of challenge and crises, we must get back to basics and find hope. A sense of wonder can be very powerful to helping us flourish and toward leading others on a well path.

“Wonder transforms how you perceive the world, no matter who you are or where you live,” Renee Moorefield writes on this month’s theme on GlobalWellnessInstitute.org. “While approaching situations out of stress or fear can cause a tunnel vision that handicaps thinking and decisions, being in a state of positive awe naturally leads to comfort with uncertainty, an expansive perspective, heightened creativity, and innovation. In wonder, we feel time-rich, rather than time-poor, and thus more patient, open and present. We experience a deep connection to people, our potentials, and a grander purpose for life—along with generosity and compassion for that which is greater than ourselves.”

Research shows that there are health benefits to a sense of wonder. Even in the workplace.

“Positive awe promotes prosocial behaviors, such as less stereotyping and more volunteering. It sharpens our brains and motivates ecologically conscious behavior,” Moorefield continues. “And, it facilitates less inflammation and greater wellbeing and satisfaction.”

THOUGHTS ON THE THEME

	A sense of wonder lifts mind, body and spirit By Mindstream community Being willing to appreciate something without understanding or judging it, as if seeing it through fresh eyes, is the secret to mindfulness and wellbeing, says the Mindstream community. Here’s a collection of your reflections.
	Wondering is a holy practice, full of magic, hope and faith By Liza Horan If we’re not curious, moved or inspired by experiences, are we truly living or just going through the motions? If we’re willing to let our thinking minds surrender to our senses occasionally to marvel, we may find riches. Continue reading

#wellnessmoonshot #wonder

Learn more about The Wellness Moonshot on GlobalWellnessInstitute.com.