Wellness Routines

Wellness check-in

A quick self-check across all 8 dimensions to see where to focus. It uses adapted items from validated instruments (cited below). This is a personalization tool, not a diagnosis.

emotional

source: WHO-5 Well-Being Index (adapted)
Over the last two weeks, I have felt cheerful and in good spirits.
0-5 (at no time -> all of the time)
Over the last two weeks, I have felt calm and relaxed.
0-5 (at no time -> all of the time)
Over the last two weeks, I have felt active and vigorous.
0-5 (at no time -> all of the time)
Over the last two weeks, I woke up feeling fresh and rested.
0-5 (at no time -> all of the time)
Over the last two weeks, my daily life has been filled with things that interest me.
0-5 (at no time -> all of the time)
Sum the five items (0-25) and multiply by 4 for a 0-100 wellbeing percentage; higher means better current emotional wellbeing. This is a wellbeing self-check for personalization, NOT a clinical screen or diagnosis. REFERRAL: a low score (raw sum below 13, i.e. under 50 on the 0-100 scale) or answering 0-1 on any single item can indicate emotional distress; if this reflects how you have been feeling, consider reaching out to a licensed mental-health professional or a helpline. In the U.S. you can call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Topp CW, Ostergaard SD, Sondergaard S, Bech P (2015). The WHO-5 Well-Being Index: a systematic review of the literature. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84(3), 167-176. DOI: 10.1159/000376585. Original scale (c) Psychiatric Research Unit, WHO Collaborating Centre in Mental Health. · provisional

environmental

source: Nature Relatedness Scale (NR-6, adapted)
My ideal vacation spot would be a remote, wilderness area.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I feel very connected to all living things and the earth.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
My relationship to nature is an important part of who I am.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I take notice of wildlife and nature wherever I am.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
Average the items; higher scores reflect a stronger sense of connection to nature and one's physical/natural surroundings, which is linked to wellbeing. Use it to personalize environmental-wellness and nature-contact content. This is a wellbeing self-check for personalization, not a clinical assessment. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Nisbet EK, Zelenski JM (2013). The NR-6: a new brief measure of nature relatedness. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 813. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00813. (Full scale: Nisbet, Zelenski & Murphy, 2009, DOI: 10.1177/0013916508318748.) · provisional

financial

source: CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale (abbreviated, adapted)
Because of my money situation, I feel I will never have the things I want in life.
1-5 (describes me completely -> does not describe me at all; higher = better)
I am just getting by financially.
1-5 (describes me completely -> does not describe me at all; higher = better)
I could handle a major unexpected expense.
1-5 (not at all -> completely; higher = better)
I have money left over at the end of the month.
1-5 (never -> always; higher = better)
Sum the items (all oriented so higher = better); higher totals indicate greater financial security and freedom of choice, both now and looking ahead. Use it to personalize financial-wellbeing content. This is a wellbeing self-check for personalization, not financial advice or a clinical assessment; it does not replace guidance from a qualified financial professional. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2015). Financial well-being: the goal of financial education; and CFPB (2017) Financial Well-Being Scale technical report. U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (public-domain instrument; no DOI). Scale development informed by Netemeyer RG, et al. (2018), DOI: 10.1093/jcr/ucx109. · provisional

intellectual

source: Need for Cognition Scale (short form, adapted)
I would prefer complex problems to simple ones.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I really enjoy a task that involves coming up with new solutions to problems.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I look forward to learning something new, even outside my usual interests.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I find satisfaction in thinking hard and for long hours about a topic.
1-5 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
Average or sum the items; higher scores reflect stronger intellectual engagement, curiosity, and enjoyment of effortful thinking and lifelong learning. Use it to tailor the depth and challenge of learning content. This is a preferences self-check for personalization, not a measure of ability, intelligence, or a clinical assessment. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Cacioppo JT, Petty RE, Kao CF (1984). The efficient assessment of need for cognition. Journal of Personality Assessment, 48(3), 306-307. DOI: 10.1207/s15327752jpa4803_13. (Original construct: Cacioppo & Petty, 1982, DOI: 10.1037/0022-3514.42.1.116.) · provisional

occupational

source: Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9, adapted)
At my work (or main daily role), I feel bursting with energy.
0-6 (never -> always/daily)
I am enthusiastic about my work.
0-6 (never -> always/daily)
I am immersed in my work and time passes quickly.
0-6 (never -> always/daily)
My work inspires me and gives me a sense of purpose.
0-6 (never -> always/daily)
Average the items (0-6); higher scores reflect greater work/role engagement across vigor, dedication, and absorption. Consistently low scores may point to disengagement or burnout risk worth addressing (workload, meaning, boundaries). Use it to personalize occupational-wellbeing support. This is a wellbeing self-check, not a clinical burnout diagnosis. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Schaufeli WB, Bakker AB, Salanova M (2006). The measurement of work engagement with a short questionnaire: a cross-national study. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 66(4), 701-716. DOI: 10.1177/0013164405282471. · provisional

physical

source: Physical Wellness Check-in (adapted from the Exercise Vital Sign and PROMIS single-item sleep quality)
On how many days in a typical week do you do moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (like brisk walking, cycling, or sports)?
0-7 days
On days you are active, about how many minutes do you usually keep going?
0-5 (0 = none, 1 = under 10 min, 2 = 10-20 min, 3 = 21-40 min, 4 = 41-60 min, 5 = 60+ min)
Over the past week, how would you rate the overall quality of your sleep?
1-5 (very poor -> very good)
Over the past week, how often did you wake up feeling rested and refreshed?
0-5 (never -> always)
Higher totals suggest a stronger foundation of movement and restorative sleep. Read the three parts together: an active week (roughly 150+ weekly minutes across days) plus good sleep quality signals healthy physical habits; low scores flag areas to personalize (e.g., activity nudges or sleep routines). This is a wellbeing self-check for tailoring your experience, not a clinical or fitness diagnosis. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Exercise Vital Sign: Coleman KJ, Ngor E, Reynolds K, et al. (2012). Initial validation of an exercise 'vital sign' in electronic medical records. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 44(11), 2071-2076. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182630ec1. Sleep item adapted from PROMIS Sleep Disturbance short form (Yu L, et al., 2011, DOI: 10.1080/15402002.2012.636266). · provisional

social

source: UCLA 3-Item Loneliness Scale (Three-Item Loneliness Scale)
How often do you feel that you lack companionship?
1-3 (hardly ever -> often)
How often do you feel left out?
1-3 (hardly ever -> often)
How often do you feel isolated from others?
1-3 (hardly ever -> often)
How often do you feel there are people you can turn to and lean on?
1-3 (often -> hardly ever, reverse-scored so higher = more isolation)
Sum the items; higher totals indicate greater loneliness / weaker perceived social connection (the first three items are the validated core; the fourth is an adapted support check, reverse-scored to align direction). Use it to personalize social-connection supports. This is a wellbeing self-check for personalization, NOT a clinical diagnosis. REFERRAL: persistent loneliness is linked to health risk; if you often feel isolated or without anyone to lean on, consider connecting with a counselor, community resource, or trusted health professional. In the U.S., 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) is available for support. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Hughes ME, Waite LJ, Hawkley LC, Cacioppo JT (2004). A short scale for measuring loneliness in large surveys: results from two population-based studies. Research on Aging, 26(6), 655-672. DOI: 10.1177/0164027504268574. · provisional

spiritual

source: Meaning in Life Questionnaire - Presence subscale (adapted)
I understand my life's meaning.
1-7 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
My life has a clear sense of purpose.
1-7 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I have discovered a satisfying purpose for my life.
1-7 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
I have a good sense of what makes my life meaningful.
1-7 (strongly disagree -> strongly agree)
Average or sum the items; higher scores indicate a stronger felt sense of meaning, purpose, and inner (not necessarily religious) grounding. Use it to personalize reflection, values, and purpose-oriented content. This is a wellbeing self-check for personalization, not a clinical or religious assessment. PROVISIONAL: pending the dedicated instruments systematic review.
Adapted from: Steger MF, Frazier P, Oishi S, Kaler M (2006). The Meaning in Life Questionnaire: assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(1), 80-93. DOI: 10.1037/0022-0167.53.1.80. · provisional
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