Self Care: Using a Wellness Wheel

Taking care of ourselves properly can support our wellbeing, but often self-care is talked about as if you can cure your stress with a bubble bath. Self-care is more complex than that, and the Wellness Wheel Activity is one of my favorites to do with clients to support their well-being. The wellness wheel below on the left is a more colonial one, while the one on the right is indigenous, developed to support individuals through the pandemic. (source here)

Both wheels show dimensions of wellness; categories that impact our well-being, from physical to emotional. These visuals highlight that tour wellness is multi-dimensional. We can be physically healthy, but struggling spiritually; when we are feeling connected to our heart, we have an easier time supporting our mental wellness. Each dimension is important on its own AND as a system, each dimension supports or challenges other dimensions.

How to Use a Wellness Wheel

Download your colour sheets HERE.

On a regular basis (I suggest once a week, or at least once a month), as part of your routine, colour in the sheet. Colour in the dimensions to reflect how satisfied you are with that dimension (example, If you are noticing that your physical health is nearly full (you are nourished, you are exercising, you are hygienic; but you are noticing headaches once in a while), then fill that dimension close to full). In your journal (or internal reflection time, notice the things you already do to support your well-being in each dimension. Notice ways in which you would like to improve or need support with.

It is about balance

Often, we can balance our wheel by reaching out to social supports, connecting with the community, or connecting to our cultural practices. We might notice that when we are feeling disconnected, we are more prone to eating less nutritiously, and we can focus on providing ourselves with more nutrition when feeling down.