Wellness... What is it?

• The term wellness is often used loosely, yet it encompasses a broad and deeply personal concept that differs for everyone.

  Is wellness simply about feeling happy? Or is it the sense of calm that comes from inner peace?

  To truly understand wellness, it helps to look at what happens before those feelings arise—the actions, choices, and circumstances that create that sense of balance and contentment.

  Individuality is at the heart of wellness. What brings joy or calm to one person may not have the same effect on another. Encouraging someone to adopt a practice that works for someone else can sometimes have the opposite effect, creating discomfort or anxiety instead of peace. Recognizing and respecting these differences is key to understanding personal well-being.

  Sliding Scale
  A sliding scale can be seen as a way to measure how close or far we are from balance. In the context of wellness, it represents the boundaries we navigate—what we respond to, what we ignore, and how we maintain equilibrium. The center of the scale symbolizes stability, but daily life often pulls us away from it. When these imbalances go unchecked, we may experience mood swings, irritability, poor sleep, difficulty concentrating, or strained relationships. Over time, even physical health can be affected—impacting organs, circulation, digestion, appetite, and sleep. The skin, too, can reveal visible signs of internal imbalance.

  Holistic
  The word holistic is often used but rarely fully understood. At its core, it means the complete picture formed by connecting all parts—like assembling a puzzle where every piece matters.

  Humans have five fundamental needs for survival:

  • Food
  • Water
  • Shelter
  • Clothing
  • Sleep

  However, within these basic needs lie countless variables that influence how each person experiences wellness. None of these categories are one-size-fits-all. Our sense of well-being is shaped by stimuli such as:

  Scents, visuals, textures, lighting, temperature, sounds, tones, time, social interaction, flavours, composition, exposure, emotions, mood, security, location, religion or beliefs, spirituality, hygiene, digestion, sleep, and economic stability.

  Each of these elements contributes to how we feel, function, and flourish—proving that wellness is not a single state, but a dynamic, ever-evolving balance unique to every individual.

It’s unrealistic to think that addressing just one area of imbalance will restore overall well-being. The mental fatigue that builds up by the end of the week often comes from multiple neglected areas—small imbalances that, when ignored repeatedly, accumulate and take a toll.

We don’t overlook these needs intentionally; life moves quickly, and responsibilities demand our attention. But at some point, it’s essential to pause and recognize that your own needs matter too. You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” As a nurse, I know this all too well—I often push through until burnout hits. The key is awareness: noticing when you feel off, emotional, tired, irritable, sad, or disconnected. As a mum, I’ve learned that these feelings are part of being human—and humans are beautifully complex.

Don’t wait for someone else to restore your balance. Start small, make consistent efforts each day, and give yourself permission to thrive in wellness—you truly deserve it.

Diversity matters because it ensures everyone has access to what they personally need to feel well. Wellness has always been, and will always be, holistic.

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References

1. Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346

2. Kenrick, D. T., Griskevicius, V., Neuberg, S. L., & Schaller, M. (2010). Renovating the pyramid of needs: Contemporary extensions built upon ancient foundations. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 5(3), 292–314. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691610369469

3. Sweeney, T. E., & Kern, M. L. (2020). Well-being and meaning in life: A holistic approach to understanding human flourishing. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 577877. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.577877

4. Kim, H., & Lee, S. Y. (2021). The relationship between unmet basic needs, psychological distress, and well-being: A holistic health perspective. BMC Psychology, 9(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-021-00609-3

5. Patel, V., Saxena, S., & Lund, C. (2022). Integrating mental health into holistic wellness frameworks: Addressing the psychological consequences of unmet needs. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(5), 367–379. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00045-1