THE WELLNESS WHEEL – Emotional Wellness – Guest blog post by Leslie McKenzie
Leslie McKenzie is the owner of Wellness Defined and an instructor at the Westend Seniors Activity Centre. With over 25 years in the fitness industry, Leslie has a long career in Edmonton and area, teaching yoga, fitness, meditation, Ayurveda, and other wellness classes. We are thrilled to share her blog post series on The Wellness Wheel
What does emotional and mental wellness mean to you?
Each month of this wellness wheel series we will begin by taking some time to reflect on what wellness in this area of our life means to us. This week we define what emotional and mental wellness means to us individually. As this is the first step to creating and achieving wellness in this area – it is important to take some time with this reflection and answer it clearly and skillfully.
Q: How do our emotions (or lack of emotion) impact our lives?
Leslie: Our emotions influence every aspect of our lives—our relationships, decisions, physical health, and overall well-being. When emotions are unbalanced, suppressed, or overwhelming, they can create chaos, causing stress, disconnection, or even physical symptoms.
Q: Do we want to change the way we experience and process emotions?
Leslie: This is an important question to ask ourselves. Are our emotional patterns serving us, or are they holding us back? Sometimes, we unconsciously benefit from avoiding emotions, but acknowledging and feeling them is necessary for true healing and transformation.
Q: Why is emotional awareness essential to overall well-being?
Leslie: Feeling our emotions is key to healing and finding balance in all areas of life—our mindset, body, relationships, and personal growth. Ignoring or numbing emotions can keep us stuck in unhealthy cycles, while learning to honor and process them allows for clarity and positive change.
Q: What if exploring emotions feels overwhelming or unsafe?
Leslie: Emotional work can be deep and challenging. If at any point it feels too heavy, please take a break and revisit it when you’re ready. If you feel unsafe or in distress, seeking professional support can provide guidance in navigating this journey safely and effectively. There is no shame in seeking help—it is an act of courage.
Q: How can we begin taking responsibility for our emotions?
Leslie: The first step is to recognize that we are responsible for our own emotions. This does not mean blaming ourselves or others—it means shifting from blame to ownership. When we stop blaming, we empower ourselves to create change.
Q: How do we allow ourselves to fully feel emotions?
Leslie: Instead of suppressing, analyzing, or judging emotions, we practice honoring and feeling them as they arise. This takes vulnerability and courage, but by staying present with our emotions, we move past limiting beliefs and open ourselves to healing and transformation.
Q: How do the stories we tell ourselves shape our emotional wellness?
Leslie: The meaning we attach to our emotions creates the narratives we live by. If we are unaware of these stories, they can gain momentum and keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, self-doubt, or negativity. Recognizing and challenging these stories allows us to take back control and rewrite them.
Q: How can we create a new emotional wellness story?
Leslie: Once we become aware of our stories, we can ask ourselves if they align with the life we want. If they don’t, we have the power to create new, more empowering stories that support our growth and well-being.
Q: What intentional practices can support emotional wellness?
Evening Reflection:
Spend the last 5-10 minutes before sleep focusing on gratitude and the positives of your day. This programs the subconscious mind to cultivate well-being while you rest.
Morning Affirmation:
Choose a positive statement to repeat first thing in the morning, such as:
- “I am safe.”
- “Today is going to be a great day.”
- “I am healing.”
- “I choose peace.”
Q: What is this week’s intention for emotional wellness?
Leslie: This week, we focus on:
- Taking responsibility for our emotions without blame.
- Feeling and honoring our emotions without suppression or judgment.
- Identifying and transforming the stories we tell ourselves.
- Practicing daily reflection and affirmation to support emotional balance.
Namaste,
Leslie
