Reflecting on "Wellness" at the end of Wellness Month 2026

As the sun sets on Wellness Month 2026, I want to think about "wellness" in a broader way. I thought I would make a list of questions that we can ask ourselves when reflecting on our wellness that don't have anything to do with our weight. Here it is:

• Are you getting enough sleep?

• Are you moving your body in a way that feels good?

  • This can look different for different people. It could look like working in a group fitness class, being at the gym solo, or moving your body outside. Ideally, if you are working through recovery, you are communicating with your care team about the best option for you around movement.

  • Movement can be beneficial for overall wellness, provided that it is used for enjoyment, not compensation.

• Are you taking your medications regularly? Are you going to therapy? Are you protecting your mental health?

  • Improving/protecting our mental health can decrease stress which in turn decreases Allostatic Load, which can have positive health effects. Those positive effects include blood pressure, heart rate, disease risk, etc.

• Are you incorporating fiber and hydrating?

  • Instead of focusing on taking things out... can we look at adding things in? Can you add a veggie to your favorite meal? Can you get yourself to drink more water by adding in some lemon or lime juice? These are great ways to get a wider nutrient profile in without overthinking it :)

• Are you taking advantage of opportunities to hold boundaries?

• Are you thinking about ways to advance in your career?

• Are you protecting your finances in a way that aligns with your values?

All of these things can support your overall wellness and wellbeing without focusing on weight. Wellness is not measured on a scale.