When we think about looking after our health, it is easy to focus mainly on the physical side of things.
We might think about what we eat, how much exercise we get, whether we are sleeping well or whether something in the body feels uncomfortable or out of balance.
These things are important, but wellbeing is rarely divided neatly into separate physical and emotional parts.
How we feel emotionally can influence the way we experience our bodies, just as physical health can have a significant effect on mood, confidence and our ability to cope with everyday life.
Taking a whole-person approach means recognising this connection and considering emotional wellbeing as an important part of looking after ourselves.
Stress is experienced by the body as well as the mind
Most of us recognise the feeling of being stressed.
You may notice racing thoughts, difficulty concentrating or a sense that you have too much to deal with. But stress can also have very physical effects.
Some people notice tension through their shoulders, neck or jaw. Others experience changes in appetite, digestive discomfort, headaches or difficulty sleeping.
When we feel under pressure for a prolonged period, it can also become more difficult to switch off.
Even when the immediate source of stress has passed, you may still find yourself feeling tense, restless or unable to properly relax.
This is one example of why it can be useful to think about wellbeing more broadly. Supporting the body may be helpful, but sometimes we also need to explore what is happening emotionally.
Our emotions do not exist in isolation
Life inevitably brings periods of uncertainty and change.
Relationships can become difficult. Work may feel overwhelming. We may experience bereavement, illness, family problems or worries about the future.
Sometimes there is no single obvious problem at all.
You might simply notice that you do not feel quite yourself.
Perhaps you have become more irritable, withdrawn or anxious. Things you once enjoyed may feel less interesting, or you may feel as though you are functioning on autopilot.
It can be tempting to ignore these feelings, particularly when life is busy.
However, emotional wellbeing is not simply about whether or not we feel happy. It is also about understanding our reactions, recognising our needs and having ways of processing difficult experiences.
Listening to what your body is telling you
A whole-person approach to wellbeing often begins with greater awareness.
This does not mean assuming that every physical symptom has an emotional cause. New, persistent or worrying symptoms should always be discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
But it can be useful to become more curious about the circumstances surrounding the way you feel.
You might ask yourself:
- Does this discomfort become worse when I am particularly stressed?
- Am I giving myself enough opportunity to rest?
- Have I been sleeping differently?
- Is something happening in my life that I have been trying not to think about?
- Am I constantly putting other people’s needs ahead of my own?
- When did I last feel genuinely relaxed?
Sometimes simply noticing these patterns can provide useful information.
Creating space for recovery
Modern life can encourage us to remain permanently busy.
There is always another email to answer, another task to complete or something else competing for our attention.
Yet our minds and bodies both need periods of recovery.
That does not necessarily require a dramatic lifestyle change.
A walk, gentle movement, time outdoors, a relaxing treatment, meditation, an earlier night or simply sitting quietly without a screen can all create opportunities to slow down.
It can also be helpful to look at the pressures we place upon ourselves.
For example, are you trying to do too much? Do you find it difficult to say no? Do you feel guilty when you rest?
Sometimes improving wellbeing is as much about removing unnecessary pressure as it is about adding another healthy habit.
When talking can help
Friends and family can provide enormous support, but there can also be situations where it helps to speak with somebody outside your immediate circle.
Talking therapy provides a confidential space in which experiences and feelings can be explored more deeply.
Rather than simply focusing on how to make an uncomfortable feeling disappear, psychotherapy can help someone become more curious about why particular situations affect them in the way they do.
This may include looking at present circumstances alongside earlier experiences and relationships which continue to influence thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
For people in South London who would like to explore this further, The Balham Practice offers counselling and psychotherapy in Balham, as well as online sessions for adults and older adults.
Seeking emotional support does not mean that something has gone badly wrong. Sometimes it is simply an opportunity to understand yourself better and recognise patterns that have become difficult or unhelpful.
Wellbeing looks different for everyone
There is no single formula for feeling well.
For one person, wellbeing may involve becoming more physically active. For another, it could mean reducing commitments and creating more time to rest.
Someone else may benefit from complementary therapy, spending more time outdoors, changing their daily routine or talking through something that has been troubling them.
Our needs can also change at different stages of life.
What matters is being willing to listen to ourselves rather than automatically pushing through discomfort or exhaustion.
Looking after the whole person
Physical and emotional wellbeing constantly interact.
Taking care of ourselves therefore means considering more than individual symptoms or isolated areas of our lives.
Good nutrition, movement, sleep, relaxation, supportive relationships and emotional awareness can all form part of a broader approach to health.
Perhaps most importantly, whole-person wellbeing involves recognising when something needs our attention.
Rather than asking only, “How can I make this feeling go away?”, it can sometimes be more helpful to ask:
“What might my body or mind be telling me?”
That small change in perspective can be a useful starting point for understanding what we genuinely need.
This article is provided for general information and wellbeing purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical or mental health advice. If you are concerned about your physical or emotional health, please consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
