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Life often feels like a juggling act, and finding balance can seem overwhelming. Wellness is more than just physical health—it’s about thriving in all areas of life. As many people know about me, I'm someone who constantly reflects on what it means to feel "well". I reflect on my life, what I learn, and try to create systems/concepts/analogies to share what my understanding of topics in simplified ways. I also have a deep understanding of wellness from my HBSc in Kinesiology from McMaster University (I graduated Summa Cum Laude. That doesn't come up in conversation, but I thought why not share that now).
Here are 14 realms of rest and wellness, each offering unique ways to nurture yourself, along with examples to help you get started. I wrote a previous blog on rest and navigating the lowpoints of adulthood. I did some deep reflection, and have additional areas for you to reflect on in your life:
1. Physical Wellness
Caring for your body through exercise, nutrition, sleep, and preventative care. When I remember my days training as a university basketball athlete, this was a big part. The workouts, the salads, the junk food when I got tired of the salads, the sleep, the stetching, the hot tubs, the ice baths and more. My time as an award-winning athlete taught me what it meant to take care of your body. Even now, I find myself feeling recharged when I try to make time to give my body what it needs. However, it also taught me that life is about much more than taking care of your physical body - which I'll get to throughout the blog.
Examples: Go for a walk, hoop with the mandem, cook a nutritious meal, or schedule a routine health checkup.
2. Social Wellness
Building meaningful connections and a supportive network of relationships. This focuses more on the quantity and diversity of these relationships. We are social beings by nature. Despite being more of an introverted person, I know how beneficial it can be to find community. I'm the kind of person who can sometimes not want to leave the house, but have the time of my life when I realize we're not meant to be posted in the crib ALL the time. Or when you are in the crib, playing video games online with the right people. With the right company, social connection is a way to recharge and remember we're not as alone as we think we are.
Examples: Host a gathering, attending a networking event, hoop with the mandem, join a club, or make time for family game nights.
3. Emotional Wellness
Managing emotions, developing self-awareness, and building resilience to navigate life’s ups and downs. I've learned about this form of wellness from a very young age. I was always a bit more sensitive growing up. If my cousins pulled up after church to play Dragon Ball Z in elementary school, I would cry after they left for example. Even with the mental health challenges I've experienced, I've continued to understand the importance of regulating, managing, and finding safe ways to express different emotions.
Examples: Practice gratitude journaling, attend therapy, or engage in deep conversations with a trusted friend.
4. Mental Wellness
Cultivating a healthy mindset, reducing stress, and creating spaces for focus and discernment. As my responsibilities start to pick up with age, I find even writing to-do lists constantly give my brain the peace to stop thinking about the next thing I need to do for example. To-do lists, calendars, and checklists free your brain up a bit to focus more on the things you want to.
Examples: Meditate, declutter your space, or try a brain-teasing activity like crossword puzzles.
5. Sensory Wellness
Caring for your senses by reducing overstimulation and creating soothing environments. I find that when life feels too much sometimes, and even the way someone chews can irritate me, I can tell I'm overstimulated. A space for silence, a space for soothing music, or a space for a nice candle are examples of things that help recahrge my senses.
Examples: Light a calming candle, listen to nature sounds, or spend time in a visually serene setting.
6. Spiritual Wellness
Exploring your purpose, values, and connection to something greater than yourself. I've found that taking the time to continually unpack my purpose, think about the world outside of myself, and the importance of cultivating gratitude have been invaluable for spiritual wellness. I practice Christianity, and find that diving deeper into the value-centred aspects of faith recharge me in a distinct way. This is what I practice that you may not, but my main takeaway is to explore concepts and practices that align with you in your life.
Examples: Meditate, attend a faith service, or reflect during a nature walk.
7. Creative Wellness
Engaging in artistic or imaginative activities that allow self-expression and joy. I find that taking the time to find posters that I find express myself feel like a creative form of wellness for example. Your imagination is a limitless and empowering tool!
Examples: Paint, write poetry, or take a dance class that inspires you.
8. Financial Wellness
Developing a healthy relationship with money and feeling secure in your financial future. Since I was in middle school, I've found that finding ways to feel control of and manage my finance has been empowering. The same strategies I used to buy video games with nickels, are the ones I used to pursue home ownership before my 27th birthday for example. Everyone's financial situation is different. Everyone defines being financially okay differently. This is a very important topic to explore, because finances can be a barrier to how people explore their wellness journeys.
Examples: Create a savings plan, track your spending, or seek financial education resources.
9. Environmental Wellness
Living in harmony with your immediate surroundings, and possibly taking steps to protect and preserve the planet around you too. When I find that my room is decluttered for example, I feel a greater sense of calm and noise.
Examples: Start recycling, declutter your space, or add plants to your home for a fresh atmosphere.
10. Industrious Wellness
Finding purpose and satisfaction in your work, passion projects and tasks while maintaining a sense of balance. I find when I am working on projects that allow me to bring my self to these spaces, when I can contribute to projects that align with my values, when I am in cooperative and empowering workspaces, and I'm in environmensts that spark the productivity to get things done - I feel industriously well!
Examples: Set career goals, create environments that foster productivity and address barriers, take breaks during the day, or attend a professional development seminar.
11. Relational Wellness
Nurturing healthy and fulfilling close relationships with partners, family, and friends. This focuses more on the quality and depth of these relationships. This is slightly different from Social Wellness. In my experience, this is something I am trying to work on. I had social wellness because I was going to a lot of different commitments and events, but I was neglecting the closer relationships in my life. I know I'm very driven in the things I do, but I want to start planning more family nights and occasions for example.
Examples: Plan a date night, hoop with the mandem, make time to do "nothing" with your friends, have an honest conversation, or practice active listening.
12. Intellectual Wellness
Pursuing knowledge, curiosity, and personal growth through lifelong learning. I find a distinct type of enjoyment in reading a book about a topic I'm interested (really enjoyed Êgo is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday), making time for a new hobby like learning the piano, or embracing the student mindset. It feels like my brain is growing in a cool way. Not a Megamind way.
Examples: Read a book, learn a new language, or enroll in an online course.
13. Cultural Wellness
Engaging with and honouring your cultural identity while learning about others. I find even having Spotify playlists where I learn Ghanaian songs my parents played as a kid feels recharging as an example.
Examples: Attend a cultural festival, explore your family and cultural heritage, or learn about a new tradition.
14. Recreational Wellness
Engaging in activities you find fun! I find the thing that makes life and wellness fun is finding enjoyment in what you do. Whether it has been the video games I looked forward to playing on weekends as a kid, the hobbies I continued to stack up like Thanos, or making more room in my life for wellness - it's the intentional attitude of joy and fun that I find especially recharging. I encourage you to continue to make room for the things that bring you joy in a healthy way! And for the things that aren't typically fun, find the windows for joy when you reaonably can. That's a part of why we keep the "spark" in us that can make life feel wonderful.
Examples: any of these examples above, but being intentional about cultivating joy in them.
Takeaway
By tending to these realms of wellness, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling life. Start with small, intentional steps, and remember that wellness is a journey, not a destination.
The photo used for this blog was an example of physical, social, cultural and relational wellness. I was playing in the RiseUp League with my brothers and some friends. We won the championship.
Further Reading
For more interest readings on rest and wellness, explore these resources from various sources across the internet!
https://ideas.ted.com/the-7-types-of-rest-that-every-person-needs/
https://stride.com.au/dimensions-of-wellness/environmental-wellness/
https://stride.com.au/dimensions-of-wellness/intellectual-wellness/
https://uwaterloo.ca/mechanical-mechatronics-engineering/mme-wellness-program/nine-dimensions-wellness/cultural-wellness
https://spokane.wsu.edu/wellness/occupational-wellness/
https://uwaterloo.ca/engineering-wellness-program/the-nine-dimensions-wellness/relational-wellness
I'm grateful to have completed an undergraduate degree in Kinesiology. It's been great recalling my knowledge in exercise & sports psychology, nutrition, social wellbeing, and all the things I learned about wellness through this platform! I'm starting to see how it informs the way I reflect on and conceptualize things as it relates to wellness.
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