Finding Balance With the Wellness Wheel

About the Wellness Wheel

Your university journey brings a lot of opportunities for growth. From uncovering new interests to making friends or even moving to a different city, there are a lot of exciting moments. At the same time, you juggle a lot as a student. Whether it be intense coursework, lab deadlines, research goals, or your personal life, the pressure can build over time, making it hard to stay motivated. That’s where wellbeing comes in.

Wellbeing is about making sure you have what you need to show up fully, sustainably, and with a bit more ease. Consider the Wellness Wheel as a resource. Originally developed by Dr. Bill Hettler, the Wellness Wheel can be used to examine the various parts of one's life, including emotional, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, spiritual, financial, and environmental. When one area feels out of sync, it can throw off the rest. But when you start paying attention to each piece, things begin to feel more balanced.

Science Embedded Counselling, adapted from Dr. Bill Hettler’s Dimensions of Wellness

Emotional wellness

Emotional wellness is about more than managing life’s ups and downs. It also means building supportive relationships and recognizing when to take a break.

This may include:

• Noticing the signs of stress
• Journaling to reflect and process your day
• Creating a playlist of music that helps you calm down or boost your mood
• Checking in with a TA, instructor, advisor, or friend when things feel overwhelming
• Reaching out to Counselling Services

Environmental wellness

Both our physical and digital surroundings play a big role in how we feel and function. Environmental wellness means contributing to spaces that feel safe, clean, and sustainable.

This may include:

• Finding an outdoor study spot
• Visiting the Nitobe Memorial Garden to recharge during your day
• Joining student groups focused on sustainability

Financial wellness

Money can be a major source of stress for students. Financial wellness means meeting your basic needs and feeling some stability, both now and for the future.

This may include:

• Referring to financial planning tools, including budgeting plans and Financial Wellness workshops
• Applying for scholarships and bursaries, or programs like Work Learn
• Taking advantage of student discounts

Intellectual wellness

As a Science student, you’re already engaging your intellect, but intellectual wellness means also making space for curiosity, creativity, and rest.

This may include:

• Checking out “Struggling to Find the Motivation?” for new tips
• Connecting with a Science Peer Academic Coach to set goals, improve study habits, and co-create a plan that works for you
• Browsing the Open Collections to dive into unique research and archival material
• Starting a creative side project, like coding, painting, writing, or even building your own DIY science kits. You can find available funding options you may qualify for.

Occupational wellness

Occupational wellness means pursuing meaningful goals and feeling a sense of purpose in what you do.

This may include:

• Booking an appointment with a Career Educator
• Connecting with mentors or professors to talk about your long-term goals
• Attending networking events or SCI Team events
• Celebrating small wins, like submitting a thesis chapter

Physical wellness

Physical wellness means tuning into your body’s needs and supporting it with rest, nourishment, movement, and care.

This may include:

• Carrying a water bottle to stay hydrated during long classes or research shifts
• Planning simple, nourishing meals, especially during exam season
• Staying active by using the UBC gym or joining a sport club
• Accessing sexual health information and pleasure products through the Wellness Centre Sexual Health Shop

Social wellness

Social wellness means building relationships that are respectful, supportive, and authentic.

This may include:

• Grabbing lunch with lab mates or forming a study group
• Taking time to call or text someone you trust
• Attending socials, mixers, or student club events to meet new people
• Practicing empathy and active listening in group projects or team meetings
• Setting healthy boundaries when you need space or alone time

Spiritual wellness

Spiritual wellness isn’t necessarily about religion. It’s about finding meaning, staying true to your values, and feeling connected to something greater than yourself.

This may include:

• Reflecting on your values before making major academic or career decisions
• Checking out cultural or faith-based student clubs and groups on campus
• Attending a meditation session

Reflective activity

Take a few minutes to reflect.

1. Rate yourself on a scale from zero to 10 for each of the areas of wellness mentioned above.
2. Identify the areas where you feel grounded, and the ones where you feel less supported.
3. Choose one or two small actions you want to try in the areas that need more attention. These could be ideas you read above or something else that feels right for you.

The goal isn’t perfect balance. It’s noticing where your energy is going, where you may need to replenish, and what small shifts could help you move through your day with a little more ease and flow. No one is balanced in every area all the time, and that’s perfectly normal.

Your wellbeing matters. Every step counts, and you're not alone on the journey.