August is National Wellness Month! We (myself included) talk a lot about “getting ourselves together.” The funny thing is, we usually talk about it in pieces. Eat better. Sleep more. Work out. Save money. Spend more time with friends. Or we set up little bargains with ourselves — Once I finish this big work project, I’ll get back to the gym. After this semester ends, I’ll start cooking healthier meals.When things slow down at home, I’ll finally schedule that check-up. We tend to pour all our energy into one area and let another slide, hoping we can circle back later without much damage. But over time, those neglected areas add up.

Focusing on one part of our well-being while ignoring the others is like fixing a single link in a chain and ignoring the rest. The chain might hold for now, but sooner or later, the weaker links start to strain under the pressure.

I think of wellness as that chain. Each link is a part of your life that contributes to your overall well-being: your physical health, mental and emotional health, spiritual connection, relationships, finances, environment, career, and intellectual growth. When each link is reasonably strong, the chain can hold the weight of daily life — and even the heavier seasons. But when one link stays weak for too long, the strain shows up in other places.

Linking Up

You’ve probably felt it before. Maybe you were eating well and exercising but sleeping terribly, and before long your motivation started to slip. Or maybe you were doing fine financially but feeling isolated, and the loneliness began to affect your mood and energy. The links are connected. They always influence each other.

The American Psychological Association defines wellness as a dynamic state of physical, mental, and social well-being, influenced by factors we can partially control — our biology, environment, lifestyle, and how we manage health. I like to think of it as the ongoing, intentional work of keeping each link in your chain strong enough to carry you through life’s ups and downs.

This is where behavioral wellness comes in — the habits, boundaries, and coping strategies that keep your chain from fraying. It’s not just about what’s happening to you physically or emotionally, but how you respond to it in your daily life — the boundaries you set, the way you manage stress, and the small actions you take to keep your chain balanced.

When one link starts to weaken, behavioral wellness is what gives you the tools to step in before things unravel. It’s the difference between noticing you’re overwhelmed and choosing to take a break, versus pushing through until you burn out.

Wellness is multi-dimensional, and while the categories can vary, I think of it in eight core areas: physical, emotional/psychological, social, spiritual, occupational, financial, intellectual, and environmental. Together, they create the chain that supports your life. Each dimension influences the others — strengthening the chain when it’s cared for, or straining it when it’s neglected.

Physical wellness is about how you care for your body through movement, nutrition, rest, and preventive care. A healthy body supports your energy, focus, and resilience.

• Emotional and psychological wellness focuses on how you tend to your mind and emotions — taking breaks, pursuing hobbies, and finding healthy ways to process feelings.

• Social wellness reflects the quality of your relationships and connections. Spending time with people you enjoy, keeping in touch, and asking for help when needed all matter here.

• Spiritual wellness is about meaning, purpose, and connection — whether through nature, mindfulness, creativity, or values-driven living.

• Occupational wellness is how you care for yourself in your work life, through boundaries, meaningful projects, skill growth, and balance.

• Financial wellness involves managing money in ways that reduce stress and support your goals — from paying bills on time to saving for the future.

• Intellectual wellness keeps your mind active and curious through learning, creativity, and exploration of ideas.

• Environmental wellness is about the spaces you live and work in — their comfort, safety, and ability to support your well-being.

When you think of these eight areas as connected links, it’s easier to see how neglecting one for too long can weaken the whole chain, and how strengthening one can often create a ripple effect across the others.

Taking Inventory of Your Wellness

The truth is, you don’t have to overhaul your life to make a difference — and you shouldn’t try to. The goal isn’t to make every link perfect, but to make sure no link is so neglected that it pulls the rest of the chain down. Sometimes that means adding a short walk after dinner to help your body unwind, calling a friend instead of scrolling, or clearing one surface so you have a clutter-free place to rest your eyes.

Small changes in one area can create ripples in others. Better sleep can improve your mood, make it easier to focus, and help you make healthier food choices. Tackling a bit of clutter can make you feel more motivated to invite people over, which strengthens your social link. It’s all connected.

So, where should you start? This month, I encourage you to take a closer look at your own chain. Which link feels strong right now? Which one is hanging on by a thread? And what’s one small step you can take this week to strengthen it?

If you’re not sure, I’ve created a wellness assessment to help you figure it out. It’s a quick way to see which areas are thriving and which might need more attention. You can take it here: How the Well Are You?

Remember, like with anything else, wellness isn’t about perfection — it’s about balance, awareness, and the willingness to repair what’s been worn down. When every link in your chain is cared for, it can hold the weight of the life you want to live.

With Love,

Dr. Love Jordan