The Five Ways to Wellbeing: A Holistic Approach

7 Oct

Full Moon in Aries | Mental Health Awareness Week | October 7, 2025

The full moon in Aries is inviting us to be honest with ourselves and create a momentum for bold action

Opening Reflections: Mental Health as Health

Today is the second day of Mental Health Awareness Week in New Zealand, an opportunity to reflect on how we care for our mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. Yesterday I posted a quick reflection on my Instagram that included my wish for this awareness week: a future where mental and physical health are seen as one, not two separate entities.

The importance of MHAW is to create awareness around mental health but also to reduce stigma.

I still see this a lot - people not seeking the help they need because of “what other people think”, or “my partner told me to just get over it, it’s not that bad”.

We would never talk like that about someone with a flu, would we?

Let’s celebrate this week by increasing awareness and improving mental wellbeing one step at a time.

Why the Five Ways to wellbeing Still Matter

This year’s MHAW theme focuses on the 5 Ways to Wellbeing with a strong emphasis on connection and community.

I think this topic is very suitable, given the physical disconnection we have had in the last few years (Covid) and also the disconnection we continue to experience in a world that is growing to be more and more digital. While it’s hard to prove a universal decline in real human connection, trends in rising loneliness and weaker relational networks support our sense that connection is declining while depression and anxiety have increased.

While the Five Ways to Wellbeing (Connect, Give, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning) are foundational, I believe it's essential to look at them through a holistic mental health lens that includes not just the mental and physical but also the emotional, spiritual, and relational aspects of our wellbeing.

A Holistic Take on the Five Ways:

Connect - with others and with yourself

Connection is so important for our mental wellbeing as it validates our feelings of being loved, included and accepted. Equally as important as connecting with others is the connection to one self.

Connection in a holistic way includes relational wellbeing as well as emotional wellbeing aspects.

Ask yourself:

Do you feel like your connection bucket is full? Where can you create a chance for connection either with yourself or others?

(Think: starting a new group hobby, reaching out to an old friend, throwing a dinner party or spending intentional time with yourself).

2. Give - from overflow, not obligation

This one might throw some of you as often times we associate the act of giving with overgiving or forgetting ourselves. But giving from a full bucket can be a wonderful thing to do and will certainly improve your mood in the moment. Do you remember the last time you made a gift for someone and that person was so excited about it that it just warmed your heart and soul?

Giving can mean time, energy, support, or even a small gift or donation, it really is the intention and the place where it comes from that counts.

The act of giving in a holistic approach is a spiritual, emotional and relational practice.

Ask yourself: What area of my life is overflowing at the moment and where could I give some of my time, money or energy? - this does not need to be big and needs to come from your heart.

3. Be active - with body awareness

We know being active benefits both mind and body but from a holistic view, it’s more than just movement.

The question I would like you to ask yourself is:

Do you listen to your body when you exercise? Or do you try to override it with your mind? (think: you feel really tired but you push yourself because you haven’t “done enough”)

4. Take notice - being present

The essence of being mindful.

Taking notice and being in the present moment.

A lot of our worries and spiraling thoughts can often be calmed by simply being present.

This practice has spiritual, mental as well as relational aspects to it. (Think: being present with my kids will improve my relationship with them, being present with myself will make me feel better and less stressed, journaling or meditation are spiritual aspects to this).

Where can you be more present? - Start to take notice

5. Keep learning - for your mind, soul & confidence

It is never too late to learn! Learning something new will make you feel good about yourself, activate your brain and create relationships with other humans - A wrap around holistic tool to wellbeing…

What are you really keen to try/ learn but have been afraid to do so (or haven’t prioritized time wise?)

I would love to hear if this reflection on the Five Ways to Wellbeing and the energy of the Aries full moon resonates with you.

Are you interested in a monthly Women’s Group Circle?

I’m currently creating a monthly women’s group that will include:

a monthly topic,
guided meditation,
space to discuss the topic,
reflect your own internal world around it
open space to discuss what is going on in your life and where you feel you could use the group’s support with
possibly movement

I would love to hear if there is any interest around this offer, and if you prefer a weekday evening or a weekend morning for this. Please let me know by replying to this blog.

Much love to you all

Marisa

Subscribe to Blog

Share with love + credit.