I’m writing about wellness as I cough and sneeze. The irony is as thick as my head congestion. My stuffed-up, run-down self is the physical representation of a hectic schedule full of unexpected and unwanted surprises. But just as ironic, while not entirely healthy at the moment, I know I am well.

Wellness is not just about being healthy. It’s about being well and to me, there’s a world of difference. Health is an optimal physical state. Currently, my health is not optimal as evidenced by my constant companion the tissue box. But I am still well because wellness isn’t just about physical health. Wellness goes deeper to encompass our mind and soul. It is a journey which lasts a lifetime.

I am well

Perfect numbers at a doctor’s visit, the perfect body or mind truly doesn’t exist. No one is perfect. We strive for health by adapting to what occurs within and around us. Mind and body wellness entwine around each other so intricately it’s difficult to distinguish which is more important. As a nurse helping people with memory wellness, I believe our mind directs our actions influencing our physical wellness.

How is your wellness? Like me, you may not the epitome of health these days. But even with a cold or a chronic disease, you can still be well. Choose to do what you can do for your physical health but remember our lives are not only physical. Physical health is a fleeting manifestation of who we truly are. Our physical lives stem from a body, mind, and soul given to us by God. Looking at wellness from that perspective, are you well in your mind and soul? And if not, why not?

I educate motivated adults with memory issues how to help themselves. They may have the beginning stages of dementia but can still make choices leading to wellness. They can choose to be well in each moment by focusing on what they can control. The same holds true for our wellness. It comes from deep within us. We can still be well even in the midst of an awful cold, diseases in our body or mind because deep within we are well in our soul.

How can we strive not only toward physical wellness, but also mind and soul wellness too?

Much of what we do for our body will help our mind. Physical exercise, healthy eating, and stress management are but a few. But soul wellness is not as tangible. It involves a connection to the One who created our soul, mind, and body.

How well is your soul? Do you nurture it as you do your body and mind? Dig into God’s Word, the Bible to find your connection to Him and your soul wellness. Then, allow God to direct your mind and influence your physical choices in life. Wellness is about adapting to the life we’re given. God gives us direction in the Bible and a mind to make healthy choices leading to wellness. He gives us choices to nurture our wellness but ultimately our lives are in His hands.

So as I type with my tissues close by, I’ll nurture my body today. But as I do, I’ll also nurture my soul since I know this is where my wellness truly resides.

This post is part of our Turn the Mic Tuesday guest series

Jill Hoven is a nurse who loves to write faith-based encouragement on wellness in soul, mind and body. She is the founder of MemoryMinders http://memoryminders.net/ providing memory wellness services to motivated adults. When not cheering her teens at their sporting events, she can be found golfing, cooking or by the water. Her writing has been published by Proverbs 31 Ministries and can be found on her blog Follow His Footprints http://www.followhisfootprints.org/ where she shares her efforts to follow His path as well as on her MemoryMinders blog sharing tips on mind and memory wellness. Connect with her on