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Total Fitness: Physical, social, spiritual and mental wellness are all important pieces of the puzzle

  • Published
  • By Citizen Airman Staff
  • Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command
Citizen Airman/August 2011 --  Say the word "fitness" and most people immediately think of banging out push-ups in the gym or taking off on an early morning run before work. And while being in good physical shape is definitely an important component of being fit, it's not the only part. Air Force officials have been studying "fitness" for years and what they have found is that there are actually four components to comprehensive fitness: physical, mental, social and spiritual.

"The Air Force and Air Force Reserve Command are dedicated to developing a culture of resilience, and we think the best way to do that is to encourage fitness in all four areas," said Col. Brian Masterson, AFRC's command surgeon. "Airmen with strong mental, physical, social and spiritual fitness have the ability to withstand, recover and even grow in the face of stressors and changing demands."

Physical fitness means meeting fitness standards and leading a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, rest and nutrition.

Mental fitness requires effective coping skills, a strong self-image and a positive approach to life. People who are mentally fit demonstrate self-control and make good choices.

Social fitness means having a strong sense of belonging and connection to the people around you. It's being able to develop and maintain trusted, valued relationships that are personally fulfilling and provide a safe place to exchange ideas, views and experiences.

Spiritual fitness is about having a sense of purpose and meaning in one's life. It's about strengthening the set of beliefs, principles or values that give someone a sense of well-being, hope and the will to keep going. Spiritual fitness is key to an individual just as esprit de corps is vital to a unit.

"Balance amongst the four areas of fitness is critical for military readiness and personal well-being," Colonel Masterson said.

In this issue, we will take a closer look at each of the four components of fitness and offer tips for Airmen and their families to build resilience as they strive for comprehensive well-being in their lives.