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Taking Care of You: Why Balance is the Secret Sauce to Mental Health

Writer's picture: Zachyra RodriguezZachyra Rodriguez

Updated: Jan 31


Introduction: 

Living room
Environmental Wellness

Hey there! Did you know that January is National Mental Health Month? It’s a great reminder to hit “pause” and take a moment to check in on ourselves—especially when it comes to our mental health. As a therapist, I see how easy it is to get caught up in the chaos of life and forget the importance of balance. But let’s be real: balance isn’t about being perfect. It’s about those little moments when everything just feels right—like walking along the beach, laughing with friends or simply catching your breath.


Mental health isn’t just about surviving the tough days—it’s about creating a life where the good days outweigh the bad. One of the best ways to think about wellness is through something called the Wellness Wheel. It breaks life down into eight essential areas, and when they’re in balance, you start to feel more whole. When one of these areas gets off track, it’s like walking on a wobbly board—nothing feels quite right.


So, let’s dive into these eight parts of your wellness and talk about why balance really does matter.


 

The 8 Parts of the Wellness Wheel That Help You Not Feel Like a Hot Mess!


1. Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness is all about how we handle our feelings—especially the tough ones.

Life can be stressful and exhausting, and sometimes you just need a good cry. But

emotional wellness means recognizing those feelings without letting them control you.

It’s okay to feel your emotions, but remember, you're not defined by them.


2. Physical Wellness

We all know taking care of our bodies is important, but that doesn’t mean we have to be

at the gym 24/7 (unless that’s your thing, of course). For me, there’s nothing more

grounding than a simple walk. It’s not complicated, but it works. Moving your body in a

way that feels good—whether that’s a walk, yoga, or dance—helps reduce stress, boost

your mood, and just makes you feel better overall.


3. Social Wellness

Spending time with people who make you feel good is huge for mental health. Whether

it's sharing a meal with family, catching up with friends over coffee, or just being around

people who get you, it’s all about connection. We’re not meant to go through life alone,

and sometimes a little time with the right people is all it takes to reset your mind.

Wellness Wheel

4. Intellectual Wellness

Keeping your mind sharp doesn’t mean you have to go back to school. It’s more about staying curious and learning in ways that excite you. Whether that’s reading a new book, exploring a hobby, or diving into something you’ve never thought about before, intellectual wellness is about growth—not just memorizing facts.


5. Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness is about finding meaning and purpose in life. Whether that comes

through your faith, meditation, or just being present in the moment, it’s all about

connecting with something bigger than yourself. When we’re spiritually grounded, it

helps us navigate the highs and lows of life with a sense of peace.


6. Occupational Wellness

Let’s face it: work can sometimes feel like a never-ending to-do list. But when you find

purpose in what you do—whether it’s through your job, hobbies, or passions—it changes

everything. Remember, it’s not about working yourself to the bone; it’s about finding

balance so you can enjoy both work and life.


7. Environmental Wellness

If your space is cluttered, your mind can feel cluttered too. Trust me on this. When I’m

by the beach, I feel calm and centered, surrounded by open space and fresh air. The same

principle applies to your home or workspace—creating a peaceful environment can work

wonders for your mental well-being.


8. Financial Wellness

Money stress is real. But feeling financially healthy doesn’t mean you need to be rolling

in cash. It’s about having control over your finances, feeling secure, and knowing you can

take care of what matters. And let’s be real—most of us feel a lot better when we’re not

staring at our bank account in panic mode!


 



Why Balance is So Important and How It Keeps You from Losing Your Mind


Here’s the thing about balance: life is messy. You don’t need to have it all together all the time,

and you don’t have to do it alone. But when one part of your life starts to tip over—whether it's

work consuming all your time, not getting enough sleep, or skipping quality time with loved

ones—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

Balance isn’t about perfection. It’s about finding those small, everyday moments that make life

feel a little more manageable. And when you’re doing your best in all these areas, you start to

feel good about yourself—like you're in control, even when everything feels chaotic.


Conclusion:


As National Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, take a moment to check in with

yourself. How’s your Wellness Wheel looking? Are there areas that could use a little more

attention? Remember, balance isn’t a one-time fix; it’s something that takes time, but the payoff

is huge. And if all else fails, you can do a few things-take a deep breath, or grab a journal, or

spend time with the people who make you feel at home.


Group of friends.

Here’s something you can start doing: On a scale from 1 to 10, rate each area of your Wellness

Wheel and see where you land. This will help you identify which areas are thriving and where

you might need to focus more attention.


You’ve got this! Life’s too short to let imbalance take over—don’t let it linger for too long!

I would love to hear from you!! Comment below.

 

Zachyra

Zachyra Rodriguez

LCSW, CCATP, CFD

Healing Grounds Wellness Center

609-475-2560






























 

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