How to Be Happy: Taking Care of the Full Self

Apr 27, 2025
4 min read

Self care has been trending for years now, but it often feels a bit... off. While your feed might be flooded with nighttime skincare routines and morning lemon water rituals, those only scratch the surface of what it truly means to care for yourself. Don’t get me wrong—I LOVE that mental and physical wellbeing have carved out space on the internet. They’re two of the seven core pillars of human wellbeing. But real happiness? That’s a full-body, full-soul, full-self kind of effort.

Happiness may be fleeting, but taking care of your whole self leads to a deeper sense of fulfillment. The eight areas below aren't ranked in order of importance—they're all essential for a well-balanced life. Some may come naturally to you; others might need more intention and effort. The key is recognizing that you are not any one of these pieces in isolation. You’re not just your body, your job, or your thoughts. You're the sum of all seven—your whole self.

1. Physical Wellbeing

Let’s start with one of the more obvious players: physical health. Our bodies, like any animal’s, need fuel and movement. But in today’s world, fuel is often ultra-processed, and our lifestyles are more sedentary than ever.

To support your physical wellbeing, aim to:

Prioritize whole, minimally processed foods.
Move your body regularly—whatever form of exercise feels good for you.
Get quality sleep (I’m a more-is-more kinda gal here—7–9 hours minimum!).
Create a physical environment where you feel safe—your home, your relationships, your job.
Establish solid morning and evening routines that support your body’s natural rhythms.

Physical health isn’t one-size-fits-all, but nourishment, movement, sleep, and safety are non-negotiables.

2. Emotional Wellbeing

Mental and emotional health has thankfully taken center stage in recent years, but it’s more than just the occasional “mental health day.” Think of it as your daily brain gym.

Try setting aside 10–15 minutes a day to:

Meditate
Journal
Practice breathwork
Simply sit with your feelings

Give your mind space to process, unwind, and check in. Therapy can also be a powerful ongoing tool, whether weekly or monthly. And don’t underestimate the importance of learning how to manage stress—both by reducing it and by building healthy coping strategies.

3. Spiritual Wellbeing

Humans thrive with some form of spiritual connection. That doesn’t necessarily mean religion. Spirituality is about feeling part of something greater than yourself—a sense of awe and belonging.

Think about the feeling you get looking out over the ocean or up at a vast mountain range. That smallness that somehow feels expansive and good. That’s what I mean.

Spiritual wellbeing can be nurtured through:

Time in nature
Mindfulness or meditation
Giving back—volunteering or helping others without personal gain

Whether through a formal practice or quiet personal moments, this pillar is about connection—to others, to the universe, and to your inner self.

4. Environmental Wellbeing

Your surroundings matter more than you think. Environmental wellbeing is about feeling calm, safe, and connected in your physical space.

Support this area by:

Keeping your home, car, and workspace clean and organized
Reducing toxins where possible—opt for natural cleaning and beauty products
Using water and air purifiers, if accessible
Spending time outdoors regularly, even in less-than-perfect weather
Eating seasonally to align more closely with nature

Being mindful of your environment supports every other area of your health.

5. Financial Wellbeing

Money doesn’t buy happiness—but it can absolutely reduce stress and increase comfort, which helps create the conditions for happiness.

To feel financially well:

Ensure a consistent income stream
Save 3–6 months’ worth of living expenses
Create and stick to a monthly (or weekly) budget
Allocate your income wisely:
- 50% to needs (housing, food, bills)
- 30% to wants (fun, travel, lifestyle)
- 20% to savings and investments

Make financial health an active practice—not something you ignore until there's a crisis.

6. Social Wellbeing

Even if you’re an introvert, you still need people. We’re wired for connection. Social wellbeing means cultivating healthy relationships—with friends, family, coworkers, and romantic partners.

Make time for:

In-person, meaningful interactions
Relationships that challenge and uplift you
Community—whatever that looks like for you

Social media can trick us into thinking we’re connected, but nothing replaces real-world presence and conversation.

7. Occupational Wellbeing

Work isn’t everything, but it is something. Whether you have a traditional career or manage a household, feeling fulfilled by your work is vital.

A healthy work life includes:

Doing something you enjoy (or at least don’t dread)
Feeling valued and respected
Having supportive relationships with coworkers or housemates
Seeing opportunities for growth

When these things are missing, it’s no surprise we start to feel stuck or burned out.

8. Intellectual Wellbeing

This one’s my favorite—intellectual wellbeing is all about creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. My grandfather (he’s 84!) always says, “To stop learning is to die.” Honestly? He’s not wrong.

To nurture this area:

Read, write, or listen to engaging content
Play games or puzzles that challenge your brain
Pick up a hobby or try something new
Explore art, science, history—anything that excites your mind

This doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Just five minutes a day of something mentally stimulating can make a huge difference.

Putting It All Together

We’re seeing a rising epidemic of mental and physical illness—especially in the U.S.—and part of the reason is that we’re only nurturing one or two parts of ourselves. True wellness comes from taking care of all of you.

If this feels overwhelming, start here: