The Soul of Well-being
The Five Pillars of Life Series | 03 Well-being
Over the past few months, I’ve been diving deep into each of my five pillars, which form the core of my coaching and aromatic signature readings. Today, we’re going to explore the third pillar: well-being. The term "well-being" is often thrown around in various contexts, but what does it truly mean? In my framework, well-being encompasses a holistic view of our health, including not just nutrition and exercise, but also mental health, sensory experiences, and our overall energy and essence. This pillar is about how we show up in the world, the energy we bring to our daily interactions, and the vibrancy of our presence. We will talk about the impact of our well-being and how it influences our relationships, prosperity, spirituality, career, and other facets of life.
What does well-being mean-Actually?
The ultimate goal in life is not to feel happy; it's to allow us a platform from which we can move through all areas of our lives. Have you ever tried to achieve your goals when you are not feeling well, exhausted, or anxious? In those stretches, everything feels like a giant mountain. We go on autopilot, merely existing rather than truly living. Yet, when we fuel our minds and bodies, connect in service and with people, manage mental health, and engage our senses, our whole outlook changes. We start to see possibilities, expansion, and connections to our goals. This pattern interrupt can have profound effects on our mindset and quality of life.
The Energy of Well-being
Well-being is more than just physical health; It is that vibrancy which enables us to be here on this planet fully alive in every moment. This has a different kind of energy than one that avoids illness; it embraces vitality. We give off an aroma that shapes our interactions, choices and opportunities.
Remember the last time you lit up? It could be after a nice vacation, getting plenty of sleep in deep rest, doing your favorite thing or being with someone you love. That energy is the spring of well-being! It is about elevating our being and presenting the world with your true self.
We have this within us, yet it often seems like everyone is searching for it or trying to get more of it. As Michael Neill put it so eloquently, “Well-being is not the fruit of something you do; it’s the essence of who you are.”
Engaging Our Senses
Wellness is special in the fact that it appeals to our senses, especially smell. Aromatherapy, a key part of my practice, where I use essential oils to create balance in three folds (physical, mental and emotional) with these precious remedies. It can reduce stress, uplift mood and instigate emotions all from a particular scent. This is evidenced by a study that found our emotion is delivered through smell (75% of emotions generated daily are affected).
But let's go one step further. Consider the strength of our olfactory, touch, sound and taste. a massage; an embrace. Think of how artwork or a peaceful scene can affect your eye. The frequencies surrounding us also influence our state of being - from musical waves to silent nature. When we are fully embodied and brought into our senses it helps us to be more present leading to greater balance in the health of all aspects. Engaging all our senses—taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight—can transform a neutral mood into a rich, sensory experience.
Mental Health and Well-being
Mental health is a crucial aspect of well-being that cannot be overlooked. It includes our emotional, psychological and social well-being influencing the way we think, feel and act. It ensures we can work productively, cope with the stresses of life and contribute our time to are communities in a meaningful way.
In contrast, bad mental health can lead to a number of different issues such as anxiety, depression and stress related illnesses. Mental health should be taken care of, and that means having strategies for mindfulness or meditation, as well as seeking professional help when you notice your mental state is affecting the rest of your daily life. Adding mental health care to our arsenal of well-being ensures that we live an overall well life.
The Essence of Well-being in Total
Let me be clear about what I mean by well-being - we're referring to an integrated state of physical, mental, emotional and sensory wellness. This pillar is so near and dear to my heart because it was the piece that traditional coaching completely left out. Well-being was essentially my entry point into this stream of understanding and cultivation. For me this realization came via my journey to well-being, and how engaging our senses (especially smell) became such a pivotal part of the path between feeling good/helpless.
One example is grounding: Touching the Earth with our bodies, such as grass or sand that we walk on barefoot, has tremendous benefits for our overall well-being and health. Basically, grounding has been proven to decrease inflammation and restore equilibrium in the body which could potentially make us feel better all over.
Another powerful practice is the inhalation of essential oils. When we tap into our sense of smell, we can intercept the patterns in our mind and shift our mindset within seconds. For instance, inhaling lavender essential oil can help us move from a state of stress and anxiety to a state of calm and relaxation. This process helps us transition from being stuck in our heads to being more connected with our bodies and promoting an overall feeling of wholeness
This also reminds me of the power and role gratitude plays in our well-being. Gratitude will allow us to retrain our thoughts from scarcity, that which we lack -to a mindset of abundance and enrichment. In addition to improving our mood, this mental shift means we are simply healthier.
The Throwing-a-Pebble-in-the-Lake Uplift Model
Our well-being is not a stand-alone aspect of our life, it affects your other areas too. Wholistically we move closer to our highest good primarily through well-being, and it trickles down into positive changes in relationships, career development, spiritual growth as a whole. A great example of this is how when we feel better physically and emotionally, it allows us to show up in our relationships much more fully. We get along better, argue less and have more meaningful relationships.
Well-being boosts productivity and creativity in our professions. We have greater clarity, creativity and resilience when we are well-rested, fed and stress-free. Our spirituality, fostered often by techniques like meditation and mindfulness practice gives us a reason to get up in the morning. It keeps us grounded and aligned with who we are, our personal values & goals.
Exploring Your Well-being
Here are some questions to help you delve deeper into understanding your well-being nature:
Mindful Movement: What movements or exercises leave you feeling most energized and alive?
Creative Expression: What forms of creative expression make you feel most fulfilled and connected to yourself?
Emotional Awareness: What practices can you adopt to better understand and manage your emotional health?
Nature Connection: What steps can you take to incorporate more nature into your daily life?
Engage Your Senses: What sensory experiences could you introduce into your life to elevate your well-being?
Asking yourself the questions above, you can begin discovering those one of a kind answers that ties in with where you are on your route to greater well being. Every question asks you to dig deep and give a measured response in line with your genuine self.
Closing Thoughts
Our well-being forms the core of our existence, providing the strength for us to flourish in every aspect of life. Always remember, this power lies within you; it simply requires nurturing and integration into your daily life.
Take a moment to think about this third pillar and consider the questions to imagine how your overall well-being might start to form in your life. Notice the peace and stability as every aspect of your life aligns, leading to a more satisfying and joyful existence.
Looking to add more creative and enjoyable ways to enhance different aspects of your well-being? Click here to download my free interactive guide.