Ever wonder why your best friend swears by yoga, but you find your peace in running? Or why your colleague thrives on plant-based smoothies, but you’re still daydreaming about your sunny-side-up breakfast?
Wellness, as it turns out, is as unique as you are. But with so much information out there about what’s “right” for your health, it’s easy to end up focusing on one area while neglecting others.
Dilemma? Surely. But there’s a solution: holistic wellness, an approach that harmonizes the health of your body, mind, and soul based on your individual needs.
What is holistic wellness?
Holistic wellness is all about treating yourself as a whole—every thought, habit, and feeling working together. Instead of masking the symptoms, you address the root causes and understand how everything is connected.
Yet, people often try to solve problems in isolation. Consider this scenario, for example:
You haven’t been getting enough sleep, and you blame it on work stress. So, you learn how to meditate in bed daily for weeks on end. Still, things don’t change. What you’ve overlooked is how those high-fat, high-sugar snacks you’re stress-eating are causing you to toss and turn at night.
The lack of sleep clouds your focus the next day, fueling cravings for the same unhealthy foods—and the exhausting cycle continues. Poor diet, restless sleep, and stress all feed into one another, creating a loop that saps your energy.
Unless you break it.
But to do so, you need to zoom out and see how everything ties together. When you commit to making intentional changes to your habits and choices, you open the door to holistic health and wellness solutions and, with them, the chance to reclaim your balance and energy.
Why should you care?
“Your body operates like a complex system where small daily decisions create ripple effects,” says Shawn Wells, a biochemistry expert, “the world’s greatest formulator” behind Mindvalley States, and trainer of Mindvalley’s The Ultimate Guide to Supplements program.
This means a single poor habit—whether it’s skipping meals, stress-snacking, or ignoring your need for rest—can cascade into more serious health issues over time.
It’s crucial to understand this, as we live in a time when chronic inflammation—the precursor to so many diseases like cancer, heart disorders, and diabetes—is on the rise. Today, as many as 35% of Americans suffer from it, yet 57% are still on a pro-inflammatory diet. And young children aren’t exempted from this, either, with grave consequences: those affected are found to be at a high risk of developing depression and psychosis early.
So, this tells us that everything starts with how you treat your body as a whole.
What’s more, the way you care for yourself impacts how others treat you. “If you can change habits for the worst and influence people close to you, then you can also change habits for the better and help them become their best version,” Ronan Diego, a holistic health mentor and the trainer of Mindvalley’s 10X Fitness program, explains in an interview with Jordan River on the Lifebook Member Podcast.
In short, nurturing your mind-body connection goes a long way.
8 elements of holistic wellness
What does it mean for wellness to be holistic in real life? It starts with understanding that your well-being is shaped by interconnected elements, each contributing to the bigger picture.
Let’s break down the eight key elements that make it all come together.
1. Physical wellness
Shawn calls it the “core of vitality,” and he’s not wrong.
When you take care of your body, it takes care of you. “The right food, movement, and rest reduce inflammation and fuel your energy,” he says.
Your body operates like a complex system where small daily decisions create ripple effects.
— Sean Wells, trainer of The Ultimate Guide to Supplements program
Think about it: ever noticed how fresh you feel after a nutritious meal? Or how much better your mornings go after a good night’s sleep? That’s physical wellness in action.
Simple habits like swapping late-night chips for almonds, walking after meals, starting your day with water instead of coffee, and sticking to a regular bedtime can make all the difference.
2. Mental wellness
“What you think influences how you feel, and how you feel influences what you do,” Ronan says, emphasizing that mental clarity is the cornerstone of holistic wellness.
Whenever your thoughts are on a hamster wheel, it’s time for some TLC. Cultivate a clear headspace with activities like journaling your thoughts daily, practicing mindfulness before work, detoxing from doom-scrolling, and redefining your tasks to fit long-term goals.
3. Emotional wellness
Feelings—can’t live with them, can’t live without them, right? Your emotions impact how you connect with others and how you show up in your own life.
Shawn points out, “Understanding your emotions and learning to regulate them strengthens your relationships with yourself and others.”
Ever notice how relieved you feel after venting to a friend or writing down your thoughts? That’s emotional wellness at work.
Small actions like expressing gratitude, speaking kindly to yourself, and dancing to a favorite song can boost joy and keep emotional balance in check.
4. Spiritual wellness
Spiritual wellness is personal—it’s about what gives your life meaning and keeps you grounded. For some, it’s faith; for others, it’s nature, art, or even quiet moments of reflection. As Ronan says, “Living in alignment with your values and what truly matters to you is the key.”
Think about your moments of spiritual transcendence—that is, feeling connected to something greater than yourself. That’s your spirit recharging.
You can nurture spiritual wellness by meditating, trying out breathwork, volunteering for a cause you care about, or connecting with nature (whether it’s at a park or your backyard).
5. Social wellness
Ever notice how much lighter you feel after a good laugh with a friend? Social wellness is all about building those meaningful connections—a form of habit—that uplift you and keep you going in life.
Strengthening your relationships can look like calling someone you’ve been meaning to catch up with and listening actively to your partner or friend during conversations.
6. Environmental wellness
Your surroundings matter more than you realize. A cluttered space can make you feel stressed, while a clean, organized one feels like a breath of fresh air.
Groom your environmental wellness with simple steps like applying feng shui to your living room, installing natural lights, taking a walk around the block, and recycling old items.
7. Financial wellness
“Money has the power to affect everything in your life,” said Alfio Bardolla, an entrepreneur and the author of the best-seller Money Makes You Happy, at Mindvalley University 2023.
And to say otherwise is to deny its power to change your life. Sure, it’s not everything, and it can’t buy happiness. But managing it well allows you peace of mind to do what you want—essentially the stuff of financial freedom.
So, how can you take control of your financial health? You can start by setting a budget and sticking to it, paying off high-interest debt, and treating yourself occasionally within your means.
8. Intellectual wellness
Ever felt that spark of joy after discovering a fresh perspective or solving a tricky puzzle? That’s your brain thriving. You see, a sharp mind keeps life exciting. When you sustain intellectual wellness, you’re constantly learning.
Ways to keep your mind engaged: joining a discussion group (like the Mindvalley Book Club), taking up new skills like cooking or photography, playing brain-training games, or engaging in debates about the world.
5 ways to practice holistic wellness
The journey to a balanced life begins with small, intentional steps. These five simple practices serve as a solid starter kit to nurture your mind, body, and soul for the long term.
1. Embrace mindful eating
“Your relationship with food defines your energy, mood, and overall well-being,” says WILDFIT creator Eric Edmeades in his program of the same name. And your body, he explains, “is an incredibly sophisticated system designed to thrive when given the right inputs.”
So, about those late-night potato chips? They’re not exactly setting you up for success.
But here are the steps that can:
- Swap out processed snacks for fresh fruits or nuts.
- Practice portion control—stop eating when you feel 80% full.
- Focus on whole foods like leafy greens, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Boost your overall function with the right supplements. Here, Shawn’s expertise steps in: magnesium for better sleep, omega-3 fatty acids for brain and heart health, and vitamin D to support your immune system and mood.
The first job in improving your health is to make sure your body is getting everything that it needs and not so much of the things that it doesn’t.
— Eric Edmeades, trainer of Mindvalley’s WILDFIT program
2. Move your body daily
Physical activity isn’t just for the gym—it’s something you can do in small, incremental steps for better energy and focus. Ronan advises not to underestimate their power. “Short bursts of movement daily can change your life,” he says.
In time, these actions will snowball into an overall healthier you. You’ll notice it in subtle ways: how you breathe better, feel more energetic, and are more focused.
He suggests these small yet practical ideas:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Incorporate a 10-minute stretch session before bed.
- Use walking meetings to combine productivity with exercise.
- Small, consistent actions lead to big rewards for your physical and mental health.
3. Cultivate emotional resilience
Your emotions influence everything—from your relationships to how you react under pressure. Whenever you snap at someone because of high stress, that’s a sign of emotional imbalance.
But once you make emotional wellness a priority, you’ll notice yourself handling life’s ups and downs with more grace and confidence.
To start nipping the emotional “yo-yo” in the bud, try these steps:
- Start a gratitude journal—write down three things you’re thankful for each day.
- Replace self-criticism with affirmations. A kind inner voice creates a more grounded you.
- Practice deep breathing during stressful moments to regulate your response.
4. Practice habit-stacking
Change can feel overwhelming, but habit-stacking—linking new habits to existing ones—makes it easier and more intuitive.
By piggybacking on existing routines—and neural pathways you’ve already formed in your brain—your new habits are more likely to stick and transform your life over time.
Here’s how to make it work:
- Commit to a five-minute meditation after your morning coffee routine.
- Set aside a portion of your paycheck every month as soon as it lands in your account.
- Do a Pilates workout while watching your favorite TV show.
- Drink a glass of water every time you take a break from work.
- Learn how to reprogram your subconscious mind with positive affirmations—like “I am worthy of happiness”—during your daily shower.
5. Deepen your spiritual pursuits
Spiritual wellness doesn’t have to mean practicing a specific religion—it’s about finding meaning and connecting with something greater than yourself. Eric calls this “living with intention,” where every action feels purposeful.
In a nutshell, it’s a chance to reflect and align with your values. And with the following steps, you can hone it over time:
- Join spiritual classes—like the ones on the Mindvalley app—to connect with like-minded individuals who, like you, want to experience spiritual growth.
- Catch up on self-help books and philosophical texts of your choice in your free time.
- Practice random acts of kindness for others every day to instill a sense of purpose, like greeting strangers with a smile and paying for someone’s coffee.
3 examples of holistic wellness solutions
The best way to live and breathe holistically is to learn from those who’ve walked the path.
The following three inspiring figures have adopted unique approaches to wellness, but their shared commitment to natural, intentional living is what unites them.
Here’s how they turned their challenges into wellness success stories:
1. Lucy Hale
Actress Lucy Hale may have played the role of the perfect girl in Pretty Little Liars, but her real-life journey was anything but perfect. Struggling with alcohol addiction for nearly 15 years, Lucy faced the challenges of relapse before discovering a path to recovery rooted in holistic wellness.
Through self-awareness and a willingness to explore healing modalities like meditation, journaling, and sound healing, Lucy began to reconnect with herself. But what truly made the difference was how she tackled discomfort head-on, transforming pain and fear into tools for self-growth.
2. Big Sean
Behind the scenes, rapper Big Sean faced his share of struggles, including anxiety and depression. He described it as “an overflow of anxiety” fueled by fears about the future and the relentless hustle of the music industry. Burnout was real, and the pressure to “hustle, hustle, hustle” left him drained.
But Big Sean didn’t stay stuck. After a chance encounter with feng shui expert and Mindvalley trainer Marie Diamond, he immediately turned to holistic practices such as feng shui and manifestation work that brought balance and fulfillment to his life.
Learn more about Big Sean’s holistic wellness journey on the Mindvalley Podcast:
3. Vishen
“I remember back in college, in 1999, me and the guys I lived with thought Pop-Tarts were a decent breakfast,” recalls Vishen, the founder and CEO of Mindvalley, on an episode of Mindvalley Talks. “We were stupid college kids, and the idea of health back then was at a whole different level.”
This reflection marked a turning point in his journey. Vishen realized his belief in processed foods like Pop-Tarts wasn’t about choice but conditioning—an outdated mindset shaped by marketing. Deconditioning his beliefs became his entry into holistic wellness, starting with mental clarity.
And over time, as he built Mindvalley, his understanding of healthy eating—and holistic wellness as a whole—transformed. Today, his personal evolution has shaped Mindvalley’s wellness philosophy, inspiring millions to take control of their health with programs that align physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
5 holistic wellness programs to try
Starting your holistic wellness journey can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be with the right tools at hand. From nourishing your body to connecting with your spirit, these Mindvalley programs offer well-rounded solutions to elevate your well-being.
1. WILDFIT
If you’ve ever wondered why diets seem to fail you, WILDFIT could be the reset you need. This transformative program goes beyond calorie counting to focus on your relationship with food—the perfect holistic weight loss guide, if there ever was one. Here, Eric teaches you how to identify and eliminate “food lies” while helping you make healthier choices intuitively.
“Stop arguing about Obamacare, Trumpcare, or National Healthcare. What we need is universal self-care,” he says, urging people to shift their focus to their personal responsibility for health through a proper, nutrient-dense diet.
What you’ll learn
- How to reset your body’s natural hunger and cravings.
- The science behind food psychology and its impact on your mood and energy.
- Strategies to break free from unhealthy eating habits and make lasting dietary changes.
Why it works
Eric doesn’t believe in restriction (“yay” if you want to be healthier without giving up your favorite butterscotch ice cream) entirely. On the flip side, he’s all about empowerment. By understanding your body’s natural nutritional needs, you build habits that last a lifetime.
2. 10X Fitness
“What if all that fitness is to prepare you for moments in life when it really matters?” Ronan says. This is why his Mindvalley program—which he co-created with Lorenzo Delano—offers an alternative to grunting it out at the gym with minimal results.
What you’ll learn
- The secret to getting fit with just two 15-minute sessions a week.
- Muscle activation techniques to stimulate growth and strength faster.
- Lifestyle choices, including rest and nutrition, amplify your holistic fitness results.
- Sustainable fitness habits that fit seamlessly into your life.
Why it works
This program uses cutting-edge science to redefine fitness, making it accessible to even the busiest of schedules. Here, Ronan acts as your personal holistic health coach, drilling into you the importance of consistency and efficiency—through short, powerful workouts.
3. The Ultimate Guide to Supplements
“Supplements are not a replacement for good nutrition, but they’re tools to fill gaps and support your body’s unique needs,” Shawn says in his interview on The Mindvalley Podcast.
And this ethos is front and center in his Mindvalley program, The Ultimate Guide to Supplements, where he teaches you to master the art of combining the right supplements for maximum results. Because yes, everyone’s different, so it’s also not about simply popping them (especially brands that claim to sell “universally sustainable” ones).
What you’ll learn
- The art of supplement-stacking for maximum wellness impact.
- A personalized regimen to cater to your unique supplement requirements.
- A self-led health tracking routine so you can adjust your plan to fit where you are at different times.
Why it works
Shawn’s approach is practical and backed by decades of experience in the fields of biochemistry, nutrition, and supplement formulation. His ultimate goal: to help you target deficiencies to overcome them instead of overloading on unnecessary pills. It’s all about feeling your best with a personalized strategy that caters to your individual needs.
4. Rapid Transformational Therapy for Abundance
Your mind is your most powerful tool—and Marisa Peer’s Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance program is designed to help you unlock it for mental clarity.
This program uses cutting-edge hypnotherapy techniques to rewire limiting beliefs, especially those around self-worth, success, and abundance. “Small changes in the way you speak to yourself can have extraordinary impact on your well-being,” she says.
What you’ll learn
- How subconscious beliefs affect your success and overall well-being.
- Techniques to identify and reframe self-sabotaging thought patterns.
- Tools to align your mindset with abundance and opportunity.
Why it works
This program is a cornerstone for holistic wellness, helping you align your mind, body, and soul for a truly abundant life. With Marisa’s guidance, you can tackle issues at their roots instead of wasting your time remedying symptoms.
5. Mastery of Sleep
“Everything you do, you do better with a good night’s sleep,” says Dr. Michael Breus, a clinical psychologist and America’s top authority on sleep hygiene and sleep-related issues.
In this program, Dr. Breus breaks down the science of sleep, why quality rest matters, and how you can optimize your nightly routine so you’ll always wake up ready to take on your day.
What you’ll learn
- How to identify your chronotype and align your schedule with it.
- Proven techniques to improve the quality and duration of your sleep.
- Strategies to combat insomnia, reduce fatigue, and boost daytime energy.
Why it works
Dr. Breus brings decades of expertise to this program, offering actionable insights grounded in the science of slumber. By cultivating sleep hygiene through the holistic pillars he’s laid out—like lifestyle choices, your environment, and habits—you’ll unlock your capacity for peak performance in your waking moments.
Live vibrant, naturally
“The first job in improving your health is to make sure your body is getting everything that it needs and not so much of the things that it doesn’t,” says Eric Edmeades.
The essence of holistic wellness drips in these words—and nudges you to imagine: what if you can wake up every day feeling like you’ve got all the energy to take on the world? And what if this dream becomes a reality on autopilot?
This is where Mindvalley connects the dots. By signing up for free on the platform, you can get a taste of transformative programs that align your mind, body, and soul—like Eric’s WILDFIT, Ronan Diego’s 10X Fitness, and more. Each empowers you to live the vibrant life you’ve always envisioned, with tools, strategies, and support to make it last.
Your best self isn’t a distant goal. It’s a choice you make today… when you join Mindvalley.
Welcome in.
