Creating balance in your life is unique to who you are.

Healthy life choices are not a one-size-fits-all.

Life balance is a self-directed lifestyle, a personalised approach to living life in a way that enables you to be the healthiest version of yourself.

I have friends who enjoy 6 am gym sessions, silent retreats, cross-country skiing, or eliminating sugar from their diets. I admire these people, but I do not choose their lifestyle -  it’s unique to them.

Life balance is achieved by being aware of the different dimensions of wellness: Physical wellness -  taking care of your body and maintaining habits that support a healthy lifestyle for you, including nutrition, sleep, and physical activity.  

Mindful wellness - being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions, to understand yourself better. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities to maintain and improve your cognitive health.

Emotional wellness - recognising and regulating your emotions. This awareness enables you to understand why you are feeling a certain way and how to respond healthily to your feelings.

Relational (social) wellness – maintaining a healthy relationship with yourself, and nurturing meaningful and supportive connections with individuals and communities. Social wellness also includes showing respect towards other cultures.

Spiritual wellness - developing beliefs and principles that give meaning, purpose, and a sense of belonging, and participating in activities that are consistent with these life values.

Other dimensions of wellness to acknowledge are: intellectual, vocational, financial, and environmental. 

Each dimension of our well-being is interconnected and influenced by life circumstances and/or stress factors we are experiencing.

Te Whare Tapa Whā is a model of health developed by Māori health advocate Sir Mason Durie. It describes health as a wharenui or meeting house with four walls. These represent taha wairua (spirituality), taha hinengaro (mental health), taha tinana (physical health), and taha whānau (social relationships). Connection with the whenua (land) forms the foundation. Like the wharenui, a person must have four strong walls and a strong foundation to thrive. When the strength of one or more walls is weakened, our hauora (well-being) is impacted.

All dimensions of wellness require attention for your well-being to thrive, and balance is achieved when you maintain a healthy lifestyle, uniquely personal to you.

Wellness is more than physical health; it is ensuring the structure of our wellbeing is strong and resilient to all life’s challenges.

Trish, Life Wellness Coach