Assessing wellbeing
Originally published on February 27th, 2025
The importance of wellbeing
Wellbeing is fundamental to life, including spiritual, physical and financial wellbeing as well as wellbeing of the mind. But I don’t recommend grading your wellbeing on a scale of 0 to 100 or ascribing a letter grade, like an “F” or an “A.”
(the soundtrack to this post is “Montara” by Bobby Hutcherson)
My current state
Currently, I’m somewhat exhausted due to a physically and emotionally draining trip focused on supporting a relative who is going through a physical health crisis. Over the past two weeks, my eating habits have shifted from 'highly functional' to 'marginally constructive.’ I’m taking a break from physical conditioning to avoid pushing myself too hard and risking my immune system. So, it would be a good idea to enter a ‘re-building’ phase physically.
Wholistically, I’m between ‘reserve’ and ‘recovering’ modes.
States of wellbeing
Here are few potential adjectives you could use to articulate your state of wellbeing in any of the dimensions:
(Wholistic wellbeing post #5)
“Degenerative” - Behavior is causing a regression of wellbeing; likely caught in a negative feedback loop
“Crisis” - Chaos, confusion or responding to a moment in a way that turns toward degeneration
“Reserve” - Moving ever so slightly toward more wellbeing by drawing on stores of wellbeing
“Recovering” - Using a bit of energy to work the “muscles” that generate wellbeing
“Rebuilding” - Engaged in behaviors that generate wellbeing. In this phase, the energy use starts to level-out as we move toward a “gliding” or “cruising” state
“Cruising” - Experiencing wellbeing
“Regeneration” - Engaged in a positive feedback loop where in a state of wellbeing, more wellbeing is generated.
When and how to assess wellbeing
When assessing wellbeing, consider the following:
Assess wellbeing particularly when experiencing a noticeable shift in wellbeing
Notice the direction of the shift
Assess the following dimensions:
Energy
Power
Joy
Clarity
Capacity
Growth
Regeneration
Minimize Judgement
If valuable, note the catalyst for the change in direction
Identify the smallest step you can take in the direction of wellbeing
Feedback loops
It’s good to know where you stand and “what time it is” in your life. Again, wellbeing is fundamental to a constructive life. For example, a crisis in spiritual wellbeing can trigger physical, financial, and mental health crises.
Conversely, a particularly strong state of physical wellbeing can often aid mental health and intellectual stimulation. The feedback loops between the dimensions of wellbeing are powerful and undeniable.
My trip has shifted my physical wellbeing, and in all dimensions, I’m drawing from my ‘reserves.’
Responding to shifts in wellbeing
The best thing I can do is (1) embrace rest and recovery and (2) be HIGHLY intentional about “diet.” By diet, I mean not just what I eat but also what I read, watch, and do. While resting, I want to 'feed' myself with a diet that energizes me as I move from 'reserve' to 'recovering' and rebuild toward 'regeneration.’ Doing this well could shorten the time it takes to return to 'regeneration' in several dimensions, where I was a couple of weeks ago.
A welcome to engage
Have you noticed any shifts in your wellbeing lately? How have you responded?
As I am beginning to exit “reserve” mode and enter “recovering” mode, I am curating my reading and watching list for uplifting and energizing content and erecting boundaries around activities and people that tend to draw on my energy. I’m also drinking LOTS of water. What do you do deliberately to “upshift” your state of wellbeing?
Until next week,
be well
wellbeingGrant
