The Five Pillars of Wellbeing: A Self-Checkup for the New Year
November 22, 2024
As a new year approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how you’re truly doing in all aspects of your life. Wellbeing isn’t just about feeling good in one area. It’s about balance and thriving across the five pillars of wellbeing: physical, mental, social, financial, and career. We’ve compiled some ways to assess where you are and get inspired to make meaningful improvements in the coming year.
Physical Wellbeing: How’s Your Health?
Physical wellbeing starts with ensuring you have consistent energy throughout the day and are maintaining a healthy balance of diet, exercise, and sleep. If you can’t remember the last time you had a health check-up or feel your physical health could use some attention, the new year is the perfect time to take action. Start by setting small, realistic goals like walking for 20 minutes daily or cutting out soda. Prioritizing quality sleep is another powerful step for improving physical wellbeing. You should aim for 7–9 hours each night and create a calming bedtime routine that eliminates screens. Finally, schedule those overdue doctor appointments and age-appropriate diagnostic tests to ensure everything is on track. It might be stressful up front to make and keep these appointments, but when it comes to your physical health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and a clean bill of health will help keep your mind at ease.
Mental Wellbeing: How Are You Feeling?
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Take a moment to reflect on whether you feel emotionally balanced and in control, and whether you’re effectively managing stress. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or unable to make time for activities that bring you joy, consider incorporating small mindfulness practices like meditation, journaling, or deep breathing. If stress or negative emotions persist, seeking support from a therapist or counselor can be incredibly beneficial. Cultivating mindsets of gratitude and positivity, even when other areas of your wellbeing might be strained, can help you keep you feeling balanced. Affinity has a handful of mental health resources1 available to you.
Social Wellbeing: Are You Connected?
Social wellbeing is about the quality of your relationships and your sense of connection to others. Reflect on whether your relationships feel fulfilling and supportive, and whether you’re making enough time for the people who matter most. If you’ve lost touch with friends or family, consider reaching out to reconnect. You should never feel bad or guilty for losing touch with those important to you, and let this be a barrier to reconnecting. It’s equally important to set boundaries and distance yourself from relationships that bring negativity or drain your energy. Your time and attention are limited, and you want to be intentional about how you divide and focus your energy. If you’re seeking new connections, try joining a group, class, or volunteer organization to help you meet like-minded individuals and build a sense of belonging.
Financial Wellbeing: Are You Secure?
Financial stress can take a significant toll on overall wellbeing, so it’s essential to take stock of your current situation. Consider whether you have a budget, emergency fund, savings plan, and a sense of confidence about your financial future. If your finances feel out of control, start by creating a budget to track your expenses and set achievable goals for saving. Reducing high-interest debt should be a priority, as it can provide immediate relief from financial burdens. Also consider what parts of your financial life are the biggest sources of stress, and focus on reducing those. Planning for the future is also crucial — whether it’s saving for retirement or building an emergency fund, small steps today can create lasting security. Affinity is also here to help you with this process through our online tools2 or an in-person meeting with our wellbeing coaches3.
Career Wellbeing: Are You Thriving in Your Work?
Career wellbeing involves finding fulfillment and purpose in your work. Ask yourself whether your job aligns with your values, allows you to use your strengths, and brings a sense of accomplishment. If you feel stuck or unmotivated, consider exploring what truly drives you — whether it’s contributing to a meaningful cause, developing new skills, or advancing toward a long-term career goal. Reflect on whether your current role offers opportunities for growth and whether you feel appreciated for your efforts. If not, it may be time to seek ways to expand your skills, take on new challenges, or even explore a career change. Remember, your work is a significant part of your life, and investing in a career that energizes and inspires you can have a profound impact on your overall wellbeing.
Improving your wellbeing isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. Start by identifying one pillar where you feel the most need for growth, and focus on small, consistent change. Each area of wellbeing supports the others: better physical health can improve your mental state, financial security can reduce stress, and a sense of purpose can strengthen social connections.
As you enter the new year, make it a priority to check in with yourself regularly. Wellbeing isn’t a destination, but a journey. Every step you take brings you closer to your best self. Affinity is also here as a partner in the growth and improvement of your wellbeing.
This information is for informational purposes only, is intended to provide general guidance, and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Each person's circumstances differ and may not apply to the specific information provided. You should seek the advice of a financial professional, tax consultant, and legal counsel to discuss your particular needs before making any financial or other commitments regarding the matters related to your condition.
1 Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/mental-health-resources/
2 Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/financial-wellbeing/wellbeing
3 Retrieved from: https://www.affinityfcu.com/financial-wellbeing/certified-wellbeing-coaches