Molly PavlovichWe often think of life in seasons. Spring, serving as a time of growth, followed by the flourishing of summer, the inevitable pruning and shedding of fall, and winter—a period for quiet reflection and inner development.
As we move through these annual, earthly seasons and the less predictable, internal “seasons” of life that are unique to us—and may or may not always align with the quarterly change in weather—a holistic health tool called the wellness wheel can help you find opportunities for growth, balance, and reflection year-round.
The wellness wheel exists in various forms, but in the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning course that Eleanor Muir is teaching this fall, focuses on six key areas of well-being: occupational, physical, cognitive, spiritual, emotional, and interpersonal.
“When we face challenges in our lives, the challenges can come from any number of different areas. When one of the areas of the wellness wheel goes awry, it can have an impact on other areas, causing our wheel to go lopsided,” said Eleanor, a licensed and certified counselor who provided counseling services at Messiah University for 40 years.
Just as imbalance in one area can cause strain in others, Eleanor explains that developing growth strategies in any of the six areas can round out your overall well-being.
As a tangible example: during fall and winter, the decrease in daylight and sun exposure can lead to lower energy levels. That physical shift might cause you to make fewer plans, withdraw socially, or engage less in the activities that usually bring you joy. In this instance, both your physical and interpersonal areas of wellness may need some extra attention.
However, Eleanor encourages individuals to look at any challenge they may be experiencing from multiple dimensions of wellness. What feels off, and where are there opportunities for balance?
Start with one or two small, measurable goals— something realistic for where you are right now. Write it down, give yourself a timeline, and check in with yourself: How did it feel? What worked? What didn’t?
From there, reevaluate and shift your approach as needed. Wellness is not about being perfect in every area—it’s about giving yourself what you need, when you need it.
WELLNESS PROMPTS
INTERPERSONAL: Schedule an ongoing monthly coffee or lunch with a friend at your favorite restaurant.
OCCUPATIONAL: Review your seasonal commitments and adjust as needed—reprioritize tasks or carve out focused time to maintain balance.
COGNITIVE: Take a few minutes each day to notice one unhelpful thought and reframe it in a positive, realistic way.
SPIRITUAL: Begin your day with a few minutes of reflection, prayer, or quiet gratitude.
PHYSICAL: Bundle up for a short walk outdoors, try gentle stretching at home, or experiment with a seasonal recipe that fuels your body.
EMOTIONAL: Take note of your inner dialogue and process it through journaling or a conversation with a trusted friend.
