Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health (Part 2): Four More Dimensions of Well-Being

Aug 14

Because God didn’t just create your soul—He created your whole self.

In Catholic counseling and holistic wellness, we understand the human person as body, mind, and spirit. In our last post, we explored the first three dimensions of well-being (Spiritual, Mental, and Emotional). Today, we’ll finish with the remaining four.
Each of these areas are connected. When one is off, the others feel it too. But when we honor them intentionally, we begin to experience the peace Christ promised.

4. Physical Well-Being
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you…?"
(1 Cor. 6:19)
Neglecting your body doesn’t just result in fatigue—it clouds your mind, numbs your emotions, and weakens your resilience.
🛑 Signs you’re neglecting this area:
• You’re feeling constantly fatigued or sluggish
• Sleep is poor or inconsistent
• You feel disconnected from your body
✅ Simple practices:
• Prioritize sleep as a non-negotiable
• Move regularly (walk, stretch, dance)
• Eat whole foods and drink water

5. Social Well-Being
We were made for communion—not just with God, but with one another.
🛑 Signs you’re neglecting this area:
• You feel chronically alone or unseen
• Your relationships feel draining or fake
• You avoid emotional intimacy or vulnerability
✅ Simple practices:
• Invest in a few safe, life-giving friendships
• Set boundaries with people who take more than they give
• Practice real presence and active listening

6. Occupational Well-Being
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
(Col. 3:23)
Work is good. But when it becomes your identity, or when you ignore God’s nudges toward new directions, your mental health takes a hit.
🛑 Signs you’re neglecting this area:
• You dread work or feel like you’re on autopilot
• You tie your value to your productivity
• You never feel like you're “off the clock”
✅ Simple practices:
• Explore your gifts and longings with God in prayer
• Schedule real breaks—even 10 minutes counts (Try the Pomodoro technique)
• Ask: “Lord, where are You calling me now?”

7. Recreational Well-Being
“The glory of God is man fully alive.” — St. Irenaeus
Fun isn’t a waste of time—it’s a taste of heaven. Rest and play renew us, spark creativity, and soften our hearts.
🛑 Signs you’re neglecting this area:
• You feel guilty when not being “productive”
• Life feels heavy, repetitive, or dull
• You can’t remember what brings you joy
✅ Simple practices:
• Schedule fun (even 30 minutes a week)
• Revisit hobbies from your childhood
• Take a Sabbath for delight—not just for rest

Final Thoughts
Neglecting your mental health impacts more than your mood. It touches every part of your life: body, relationships, vocation, and joy. But healing doesn’t have to be dramatic—it can begin with one simple, grace-filled decision.

Choose one area today. Be consistent, not perfect. You are worth caring for.

Jacob Frazier

Jacob Frazier, LMHC, MA, NCC, is a mental health counselor with Archangel Catholic.

Jacob holds a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Gonzaga University. As a mental health counselor, Jacob has a passion for facilitating personal and interpersonal development, vocational/career discernment, and helping people apply their strengths and Catholic faith to the challenges of daily living.

Jacob has extensive clinical history of assessing and working with clients experiencing emotional dysregulation, depression, anxiety, struggling with relationships and commitment, facing addictions, and struggling with trauma.

Jacob is trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, which he used on a treatment team that served individuals with moderate to severe diagnoses. Jacob is also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) centered on posttraumatic stress related to abuse, neglect, and other traumatic life experiences. He also has an interest in helping men foster a healthy understanding of masculinity and assist in cultivating virtue.