“The body is like a piano, and happiness is like music. It is needful to have the instrument in good order.” So goes the maxim by American minister Henry Ward Beecher.
In the wellness sphere, these are words to live by. Physical health is deeply intertwined with emotional well-being.
Kelvin Chan Wen Pin, 41, wholeheartedly agrees. In fact, he relates well to the quote as he not only puts an emphasis on staying healthy but also enjoys striking a musical tune or two.
“I play the piano and listen to music to find some peace,” says Chan from Cheras, Selangor.
As a customer service employee in the healthcare industry, Chan deals with a high-stress work environment. At one point, he focused only on getting promoted and corporate advancement opportunities. He dedicated all his time to work.
“I completely neglected my health,” says Chan, who admits he used to frequently fall sick due to lack of exercise and over-reliance on fast food.
However, he is now working on reclaiming the active lifestyle he once led in his 20s.
His wake-up call came last year, after he attended a corporate mental health workshop. Combined with the knowledge he gained from reading articles on ageing, and his regular encounter with elderly patients at the hospital where he works, he decided it was time for a change.
“I want to secure my health now so that as I age, I can maintain my independence and never have to rely on others to take care of me,” he says.
“Wellness” is a lifestyle term that has gained more visibility in the era of social media, but it is actually a concept that predates the modern self-care industry.
It draws from ancient practices that integrated the body, mind and natural environment.
Every year, on the second Saturday of June, Global Wellness Day (GWD) is celebrated worldwide. This year, GWD was observed on June 13.
Turkish entrepreneur Belgin Aksoy founded the day as a way to encourage healthy living that goes beyond freedom from illness. As The Global Wellness Institute defines it, wellness is “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”.
These days, June becomes the month when most resorts and hotels around the world promote stay packages bundled with wellness offerings, and restaurants ramp up menus focused on healthy eating.
While the celebration is month-long, one’s wellness journey and routines should be life-long. And to sustain this holistic lifestyle, it is best to tailor things that align with your interests and preferences.
Different strokes, different folks
From hiking and biking to playing musical instruments and painting, there are various ways of engaging the body and mind. There are moments when it’s not about being on the move, but rather about embracing a slower pace.
It all boils down to discovering what brings joy to oneself.
This year, GWD carries the theme #JoyMagenta. As described on GWD’s website, it “represents the rediscovery of joy as a cornerstone of well-being”.
For Bibi Shakira Ramli, 49, joy comes from stepping away from her daily routine and giving herself space to reset.
“I find happiness in the simple things like travelling somewhere new and enjoying a change of scenery, or spending time on creative activities like painting,” she says.
Her job as a chef at a hospital in Ipoh, Perak often leaves her overwhelmed and stressed. She realises that overcoming these negative emotions means she needs to do more than just rest – she needs a mental recharge.
At least once a month, she goes for staycations by herself or with friends. “Even a short trip makes a big difference, so I make it a point to do it regularly whenever I can,” she shares.
One of her most memorable getaways was a one-night trip to Cameron Highlands in Pahang with two of her colleagues. They rented a 4WD vehicle to explore places like the Mossy Forest, Flora Park and Kea Farm.
“It felt refreshing to be surrounded by wondrous nature and the cool weather, and experience something different from our usual environment,” she says.
When not winding down on a short getaway, Bibi Shakira relaxes her mind by exploring creative outlets, such as joining art workshops. She does this on her own, as she finds these activities more personal.
She recalls a meaningful experience where she celebrated her birthday by attending a clay art class. Choosing to do something creative, instead of opting for the usual birthday meals or gifts, elated her.
“These experiences help me feel refreshed and more balanced. I come back with a clearer mind, less stress and more energy,” she enthuses.
Tan Chor Hoon, 36, has a similar method of calming her mind. On Saturdays, she goes to a drawing class. It is relaxing to the point that she is sometimes almost lulled to sleep, she jokes.
Other than this, Tan practises wellness by keeping a regular sleep schedule, watching her food intake, travelling whenever possible, and taking daily walks in her neighbourhood in Jeram, Selangor.
The latter is her way of compensating for being sedentary at her job in a bank. She further supplements this with frequent hikes.
Bukit Wawasan in Puchong, Selangor was her first hike. She also lists the state’s Bukit Gasing, Gunung Semangkok, Gunung Nuang and Gunung Rajah (located on the Selangor-Pahang border), Gunung Liang in Perak and Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak as other trails she’s gone to.
She’s climbed Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, too, and expresses hope to repeat the experience.
Nature is where Tan stays active, and it is also where she winds down – plus, she does this in style. Glamping can cost a pretty penny, she admits, but she enjoys it as it is a relaxing activity.
She recently went on a glamping trip to Yunkai Campsite in Pahang. Its location in the highlands meant that she and her companions were able to appreciate panoramic mountain views while enjoying a cool breeze.
Like Tan, the aforementioned piano-playing Chan similarly takes up hiking to stay physically active. He also incorporates weightlifting and marathon running into his fitness routine.
Chan says that he does these activities mostly by himself. But when it comes to hiking, he prefers doing so in a group.
“Hiking alone can be dangerous due to the high risk of getting lost or injured,” he reasons. “Hiking with others is not only more fun, but it also ensures peace of mind knowing that someone has your back if something goes wrong.”
He hikes both locally and abroad. He has climbed Mount Kinabalu three times, and last year, he went hiking in Yamagata, Japan. As November marks the beginning of winter, two of the mountains – Mount Gassan and Mount Yudono – he had aimed to climb were already closed due to heavy snowfall.
On the bright side, this gave him the chance to fully focus on conquering Mount Haguro.
“Culturally, the Japanese hike these three mountains as a spiritual journey to cleanse their ‘past, present and future’,” he explains.
Since Mount Haguro represents the present, that was precisely what he was “cleansing” on his hike up the mountain.
“Hiking through that spectacular scenery completely calmed my mind and rejuvenated my soul,” he says, adding that he did not encounter anyone else on the “incredibly peaceful” trail.
He hopes to return during the autumn season to complete the other trails – essentially cleansing his past on Mount Gassan and his future on Mount Yudono.
When it comes to emotional well-being, Chan finds immense joy in the company of his loyal cat, Kotaro. His feline friend “...provides a great deal of emotional support”, he shares.
For Vivi Anna Tirih, 31, her joy comes from quiet “me time”.
Being a mother while holding down a staff nurse career means being constantly on the go. So, Vivi appreciates whenever she has some time to herself.
“I started paying more attention to self-care a few years ago, when I realised how important it was to manage stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” she says.
Currently based in Semporna, Sabah, Vivi finds peace and balance in her daily life by drawing pleasure from simple things. Getting enough rest, spending time with family and friends, listening to music – she is grateful for these little moments.
She also goes for walks and maintains a skincare routine. Staying refreshed with a spa visit or two, especially on her travels, was what she used to do regularly. “But after having children, I became busier and had less personal time,” she explains, adding that she would love to revive this routine in the future.
Health and happiness
As highlighted by American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The first wealth is health.”
Indeed, good health and happiness lay the foundation for overall wellness. Always the avid hiker, Chan encourages others to try hiking as a way to stay healthy.
“For physical fitness and self-enrichment, hiking is a fantastic, accessible activity to start with,” he suggests.
“For mental stimulation, I highly recommend reading and exploring new topics. As for nurturing the soul, connecting with local cultures, history or personal beliefs can be incredibly fulfilling,” he adds.
When it comes to happiness, it is not necessarily derived from doing things only for oneself, it can also be found in the act of serving and helping others.
As someone who has a keen interest in giving back to the community, Bibi Shakira recommends taking up volunteering at a soup kitchen or visiting orphanages and old folks’ homes.
“I feel that it could be a meaningful form of self-care because it allows you to slow down and reflect,” she says, adding that it also reminds us to be grateful as it provides a different perspective on life.
The wellness practices and recommendations shared by everyone here embody the ethos of GWD: Joy through gratitude, connection, movement and creativity.
When these steps are followed and practised with care, wellness is well within reach.
