In short: Health is the first pillar of the Joy and Fulfilment Trifecta, alongside Abundance and Love. It’s far more than not being ill: it’s your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing, all connected. When one of them is neglected, the others feel it. Looking after all four, one small step at a time, gives you the foundation for everything else you want from life.
You’ve had your check-up and everything is fine. You eat reasonably well, you move, you rarely catch a cold. On paper, you’re healthy. And yet you wake up tired, your thoughts race in the evening, you snap at the people you love, and somewhere underneath there’s a quiet question: is this it?
If you recognise yourself, it may be that your idea of health is too narrow. As we explore the Joy and Fulfilment Trifecta of Health, Abundance and Love, I’d like to take a closer look at the first pillar. What does being healthy really mean, and how does it add to your joy and fulfilment? If the three pillars are new to you, you can start with the three pillars of joy and fulfilment.
What does being healthy really mean?
Health is not merely the absence of disease. It’s a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. It’s the platform upon which we build our dreams, the foundation that supports our pursuit of abundance and love.
We often think of health as purely physical. Am I free of illness? Do I eat a balanced diet? Do I exercise? These things matter, of course. But they’re only part of a broader picture. True health reaches well beyond the body and takes in your mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing too.
I made a short video about this, you can watch it below.
What are the four sides of health?
Physical health
Physical health is the foundation. It’s about giving your body the right fuel: a balanced diet with a variety of fruit, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. And it’s about honouring your body with regular movement, whether that’s yoga, walking, dancing or lifting weights. Your body is your vehicle in this life. Take good care of it, and the ride is smoother and far more enjoyable. If you’d like a simple place to begin, see how to make healthy eating simple, easy and delicious.
Mental health
Mental health is a cornerstone of your overall wellbeing. It affects how you think, feel and act. It plays a part in how you handle stress, how you relate to others and what choices you make. When your mind is in a good place, your mood lifts, you see more widely, and you meet life’s challenges with resilience. Your way of looking at things has a great deal to do with it, as I explain in mindset mastery: your key to a joyful, fulfilling life.
Emotional health
Emotional health is your ability to understand and manage your feelings. People who are emotionally healthy are in tune with their emotions. They can name what they feel and why. They can express it, and they can manage their reactions, so that the pleasant and the difficult emotions stay in balance. A good dose of self-compassion helps enormously here.
Spiritual health
Spiritual health is the one we most often overlook. It isn’t necessarily about religious belief, though it can be. It’s about recognising that you’re part of something larger than yourself. It means looking for purpose and meaning, nurturing a sense of peace and harmony, and cultivating a deep appreciation for life and the natural world.
Why can’t you look after just one of them?
Because they’re all connected. Holistic health is about balance: each side of your health affects the others, and each plays its part in how you feel overall. Sleep badly for a week and you’ll be more anxious and more irritable. Carry a worry for months and your digestion, your appetite and your energy will tell you about it. Lose your sense of purpose and even the best diet won’t make you feel alive.
Let me tell you Julia’s story. Julia was a high-powered attorney who wanted to reclaim her health and her joy. She had always been physically fit, a dedicated gym-goer who enjoyed running marathons. But her demanding job brought a great deal of stress, which led to bouts of anxiety and depression.
Her body was healthy, yet her mental and emotional health were suffering, and so was her whole wellbeing. She recognised this, came for coaching sessions, and began to bring mindfulness techniques into her routine. Over time she became better able to manage her stress, and her mental and emotional health improved.
In Julia’s words: “I realized that being physically fit wasn’t enough. My body was strong, but my mind was in turmoil. Only when I started to focus on my mental and emotional health did I feel truly healthy and fulfilled.”
Her story reminds us that health has many sides. For joy and fulfilment, we need to care for all of them.
Why is health so personal?
What works for one person may not work for another. Your friend thrives on an early run and a big breakfast. You may need a slow start and a walk at lunchtime. So it’s vital to listen to your own body and mind, to understand what they need, and to adjust as you go. This is what I call bio-individuality.
Health isn’t a destination, either. It’s an ongoing process of balance, growth and renewal. What you needed at thirty isn’t what you need at fifty, and what you need in a calm month isn’t what you need in a hard one.
What can you do today?
Here are a few suggestions, one for each side of your health. Choose the one that speaks to you most.
Physical health: build balanced meals and regular movement into your routine. Choose activities you enjoy, so that it stays fun and you keep it up. A walk after dinner counts.
Mental health: practise mindfulness, for example with meditation or journalling, to manage stress and clear your head. A few simple breathing practices are a good start. And don’t hesitate to seek professional help if you need it.
Emotional health: acknowledge your feelings and express them, to a friend, on paper, out loud in the car. Make room for the things that bring you joy and peace.
Spiritual health: look for purpose and meaning. That may be a spiritual practice, a hobby, or a project close to your heart. Spend time outdoors and let yourself appreciate life and the natural world.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistent progress. Every small step you take for your health adds to your joy and fulfilment.
How does health support abundance and love?
With health as your foundation, you can go after the other two pillars of the Joy and Fulfilment Trifecta. You can work towards financial freedom and build meaningful connections, knowing you have the energy, the resilience and the peace of mind to face what life brings.
Health, after all, is not merely the absence of disease. It’s the platform on which we build our dreams. So as you go on with your day, think about one step you could take for your health in the widest sense, and how it could find a place in your routine. It’s the first step towards a life of joy, abundance and love.
Frequently asked questions
What does holistic health mean?
It means looking at the whole person. Your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health are connected, and each one affects the others. Being healthy is a balance between all four, and more than the absence of illness.
Can I be physically fit and still not be healthy?
Yes. You can eat well and exercise and still be worn down by stress, worry or a lack of meaning. A strong body with a mind in turmoil is only part of the picture.
Where should I start if everything feels out of balance?
Start with one small step in the area that needs it most. A walk, an earlier bedtime, ten minutes of writing, a call to a friend. Consistent small steps count for more than a perfect plan.
Does spiritual health mean being religious?
Not necessarily. It can, but it is above all about feeling part of something larger than yourself, finding purpose and meaning, and appreciating life and the natural world.
When should I talk to my doctor?
Talk to your doctor if you have physical symptoms that worry you or do not go away, or if anxiety, low mood or exhaustion last for weeks and affect your daily life. Do not hesitate to ask for professional help: it is part of taking care of yourself.
Would you like some help?
Looking at the whole of your life, and not only at what’s on your plate, is how I work in my group programmes in nutrition and health, such as Six Tuesdays in Montignac. If you’d like to hear when the next group opens, write to me at hello@catherinepolet.coach.
Would you rather work one to one? I also coach online. Book a free 20-minute call, and tell me which side of your health is asking for a little more attention.
About Catherine
I’m Catherine Polet, a holistic nutrition health coach, yoga and autogenic training teacher for more than 30 years, author and speaker. I help people find a way of eating and living that suits their own body, online in English, French, Spanish and German, and in person in Southwest France.
