Taking Time for Wellness: Nurturing Growth and Fostering Resilience

We are impatient. We add a new practice that we know is good for us but it fails to enhance our experience. Consequently, we tire of the extra effort without a notable payoff and slip back to the same dull routines. Patiently taking time for wellness challenges our resolve, tests our commitment, and invites doubt about the effectiveness of a new practice.

Last year, I took several cutting from my ground cover, soaked them in water, dipped them in rooting hormone, and placed them in a pot of soil. With proper water, and protection from the sun, the leaves remained green, and they began to sprout tender roots. After a month, I placed them in the ground on my barren side yard.

I fertilized and watered them, but now they faced the hot summer days without protection. A few died, but most lived. However, they were not growing. They remained the small, green twigs, that I originally cut from the parent plants. The care I provided was just enough to keep them alive. Once the summer heat began to mellow, almost magically a few of the cuttings took off, not only sprouting a few new leaves, but growing new branches, and spreading along my barren hillside.

Key Definition:

Taking time for wellness means prioritizing and dedicating time to activities and practices that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It involves setting aside time for exercise, relaxation, healthy eating, self-care, and other activities that contribute to overall health. By intentionally allocating time for wellness, individuals can reduce stress, improve their mood, and enhance their quality of life.

Patience and Blessings

T. Franklin Murphy wrote, “We yearn to be the main character in a beautiful fairy tale. We seek a personal Holy Grail of enlightenment, discovering our calling, our purpose, and our salvation. With patience, we are rewarded with fascinating finds and beautiful discoveries; but often the discoveries are small, not the great enlightenment we expected. Don’t disregard these small learnings; the small pebbles of discovery must be collected, saved and integrated to reconfigure our lives” (Murphy, 2018).

Art Markman wrote, “Remember that the behaviors you want to change did not develop overnight, and they will not go away overnight. Behavior change takes time, and you are likely to fail a few times before you succeed” (Markman, 2015). Change is a process. However, when given consistent effort and patiently practiced, newness enters our life and transforming not only our experience but also our environments.

Its difficult to wait for the blessings. We naturally weigh costs against benefits. Our brains are firmly established in their current modes of operation. A shot of healthy activity is not enough to rewire well established patterns of feeling and behaving. We easily get discouraged, throw up our hands, and complain that “life shouldn’t be like this.”

Calvin Coolidge taught, “nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Persisting in the Right Things

Persisting alone is not enough. If we take time to practice behaviors that do not bring the expected blessings, our persistence fails. Perhaps, this is why I spend so much time exploring psychological research on wellness. We will never have a perfect understanding on what makes us feel well and what leads to flourishing. However, we do know certain truths. A handful of healthy behaviors have stood the test of time. Unfortunately, some believe that once they are well then they will adopt the healthy behaviors. No, this doesn’t work. We take time to act well first, and then, wellness eventually follows. Taking time for wellness behaviors is a necessity for growth, Happiness, the eudaimonic kind, requires work.

Along with basics, we also must avoid the things that destroy wellness:

And then, of course, learn to treat or adapt to the elements in our life that we have little control over:

illnesses and disease
others
the economy

Focusing on the Goal

If we are to persist, traversing the pre-emptive buckle, we must keep an eye on goal, remembering why we made the effort to change in the first place. Goals may serve as the carrot, dangling in front, inspiring that little extra effort needed to get through another day.

I have also learned that the goal cannot be the only focus. When I take my grandchildren for a walk, I get to destination focused. My grandchildren want to stop for every leaf, stick, and bug. They are fascinated with the process, not so concerned about the destination. We need some of both.

Associated Concepts

Multidimensional Wellness: Wellness is recognized as a multidimensional concept that includes various domains such as intellectual, social, spiritual, emotional, occupational, and physical wellness. Consistently nurturing each of these areas can lead to overall well-being.
Hope Theory: This theory developed by C. Richard Snyder, emphasizes the role of hope in motivation and goal pursuit. It involves belief in finding pathways to achieve goals and the motivation to use those pathways. This theory applies to various fields such as education and psychology.
PERMA Model: Developed by psychologist Martin Seligman, the PERMA model identifies five pillars of well-being: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement. Patiently cultivating these elements can enhance one’s sense of fulfillment and happiness.
Self-Actualization: Abraham Maslow’s concept of self-actualization, which refers to the realization of one’s potential and the pursuit of personal growth, aligns with the positive psychology’s emphasis on flourishing and well-being.
Positive Psychology: This field of psychology focuses on strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to thrive. It involves consistent efforts to build resilience, optimism, and gratitude, which contribute to long-term wellness.
Joy of Being: This positive psychology concept refers to the intrinsic happiness found in simply existing and appreciating the present moment, rather than seeking joy through external achievements. Mindfulness, gratitude, and self-acceptance are crucial for cultivating this joy, leading to emotional resilience and a fulfilling life experience amidst everyday challenges.
Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves being present and fully engaged with the current moment. Regular practice can improve mental health and reduce stress, contributing to a patient approach to personal growth and wellness.

A Few Final Words by Psychology Fanatic

In conclusion, taking time for wellness is not a luxury but a necessity. In the hustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to neglect our well-being, but the truth is that our greatest wealth is health. By making a conscious effort to incorporate wellness practices into our routine, we can improve not only our physical health but also our mental and emotional resilience. Remember, wellness is a journey, not a destination, and it requires patience and consistent effort. Find a few things to work on. Be patient. One small step at time. Life does bless those who add healthy behaviors and eliminate destructive ones. It just takes time for changes to root, and start taking on a flourishing life of their own.

So, let’s pledge to prioritize ourselves, to take those precious moments of pause, and to nurture our well-being with the same dedication we give to our other endeavors. After all, when we are at our best, we can give our best to the world around us.

Last Update: January 20, 2026

References:

Markman, Art (2015). Smart Change: Five Tools to Create New and Sustainable Habits in Yourself and Others. Tarcher-Perigee; Reprint edition. ISBN-10: 039916412X
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Murphy, T. Franklin (2018). Personal Change Takes Time: Embracing Patience and Persistence. Psychology Fanatic. Published: 7-24-2018; Accessed: 10-14-2022. Website: https://psychologyfanatic.com/change-takes-time/
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Patiently Taking Time For Wellness