THE WELLNESS WHEEL – Guest blog post by Leslie McKenzie
The new year often has us hoping to find more balance in our lives or make changes to eat better and exercise more. So what is the Wellness Wheel? Over the next few months, we will be sharing a guest blog post from Leslie McKenzie, owner of Wellness Defined and part -time WSAC instructor. Leslie has taught a number of meditation, Ayurveda, and other wellness classes.
A FRESH LOOK AT OUR PHYSICAL WELLNESS
Learning about the Wellness Wheel is a great way to start the new year because it helps you take a fresh look at all areas of your life. The wheel breaks down wellness into different parts, like physical health, emotional balance, relationships, and personal growth. By reflecting on each area, you can see what’s going well and where you might want to improve. This clear picture helps you set meaningful goals that lead to a more balanced and fulfilling year. It’s a simple, helpful tool to guide positive changes and keep you on track for the year ahead.
WHAT IS THE WELLNESS WHEEL?
The Wellness Wheel is a simple tool that shows the different parts of our lives that help us stay healthy and balanced. It includes areas like physical health, emotions, relationships, learning, beliefs, work, and the environment around us. These parts are all connected and affect each other. The Wellness Wheel helps you look at where you’re doing well and where you might want to make changes to feel better. It’s a way to understand your overall well-being and take steps toward living a healthier and happier life.
We hope you enjoy this weekly series we will be sharing as we start our new year!
The WSAC Team: Leslie, why is learning about physical wellness a good way to start the new year?
Leslie: Our body is the one and only vehicle we have to experience this life, so building a positive relationship with it is essential. The new year is the perfect time to reflect on how we care for and honor our bodies. Defining what physical wellness means to you is the first step toward achieving balance in this area. It’s a chance to create a personalized vision of health that inspires sustainable changes throughout the year.
The WSAC Team: What does physical wellness mean to you personally?
Leslie: To me, physical wellness is about appreciating and respecting the body we’ve been given. It’s about taking care of this amazing physical shell through choices like regular movement, nourishing food, restful sleep, and stress management. But it’s also about the stories we tell ourselves about our bodies. Are we kind and encouraging, or are we stuck in patterns of self-criticism? To achieve true wellness, we need to approach our bodies with love, compassion, and acceptance.
The WSAC Team: How do our stories about our bodies affect our physical wellness?
Leslie: The stories we tell ourselves shape how we feel and act. If we constantly criticize or dislike aspects of our bodies, we reinforce negative patterns like neglect or self-sabotage. These stories can hold us back from making positive changes. On the other hand, if we consciously choose to rewrite those stories with kindness and encouragement, we can align with our definition of physical wellness and empower our body to heal and thrive.
The WSAC Team: What should someone do if they feel out of alignment with their physical wellness?
Leslie: Start by reflecting on where you are now and what your definition of physical wellness looks like. If you’re out of alignment, ask yourself tough questions: What choices are you making or not making? What do you dislike about your body, and why? These questions can uncover the stories that may be holding you back. Once you recognize them, challenge those stories, rewrite them, and take small, intentional actions that reflect your new, supportive narrative.
The WSAC Team: What’s one powerful way to shift our mindset about physical wellness?
Leslie: Treat your body with the same love and compassion you would show a hurt or frightened child. Imagine the parts of yourself you’re struggling with as that child, needing attention and care. When you approach your body this way—with acceptance, kindness, and respect—you create space for healing and growth.
The WSAC Team: Any advice for staying motivated on a physical wellness journey?
Leslie: Set an intention this week to define physical wellness for yourself, challenge unhelpful stories, and start telling new ones. Support your journey with positive affirmations like, “I love my body,” “I make healthy choices for my body,” and “I am worth it.” Remember, your body is your home for this lifetime—when you take care of it, you enhance every other part of your life.
Namaste.
Want to learn more? Visit Leslie’s website and watch the video that digs a little deeper into Physical Wellness
