National Wellness Month: Why Choosing Myself Changed Everything

August 1, 2026 | Daphne Oh

It's National Wellness Month y'all!! One of my most favorite months of the year because it reminds me how far I have come in my journey to be a better version of myself. Every August, National Wellness Month reminds me of something I have learned over and over again: taking care of myself isn't selfish. It is a must!

For a long time, I thought wellness only meant eating healthier or exercising more. While those things are certainly important, I've discovered that wellness reaches much deeper than what we see on the outside. It's about caring for our minds, protecting our peace, strengthening our spirits, nourishing our bodies, and giving ourselves permission to grow at our own pace.

That realization has changed the way I live life in a tremendous way.

Affirmations & Sunrises

One of my favorite moments each day is welcoming a new sunrise. Watching the sky slowly brighten reminds me that every morning is a fresh beginning. Yesterday's mistakes don't have to define today. Read that again if you have to. YESTERDAY'S mistakes don't define TODAY. Every sunrise quietly whispers that hope is still alive and that we have another opportunity to become the best version of ourselves.

Creating daily affirmations has also become a meaningful part of my wellness journey. Positive words may seem small, but I've learned that they have the power to reshape my mindset. There is life and death in the tongue. We can speak both blessings and curses over our lives. I don't know about y'all, but I'm going for the blessings. Speaking life over myself reminds me that my value isn't determined by comparisons or circumstances. My worth has always been woven into who I am.

Nutrition & Mindfulness Wellness

Another part of my journey has been learning to nourish my body with intention. Preparing wholesome meals isn't simply about counting calories (I don't even count calories anymore). It's an act of self-respect. Every healthy choice I make is another way of saying, "I matter." Progress doesn't happen overnight, so don't be disappointed when you don't see immediate change. However, every meal, every healthy habit, and every small decision builds a stronger foundation for tomorrow.

Writing and journaling have become another source of healing for me. Putting my thoughts on paper helps me celebrate victories, work through challenges, and reflect on how far I've come. Some days I write prayers. Other days I write gratitude lists or personal reflections. No matter what fills the page, I've found that writing helps me slow down and hear my own heart.

My God Is Awesome 

My faith continues to be the anchor that holds everything together. Spending time in prayer, reading Scripture, and intentionally strengthening my relationship with God reminds me that true wellness begins from the inside out. Of all things, my personal relationship with God is my foundation. By no means am I pushing my belief system off on anyone. I'm just expressing how MY belief system works for me. My relationship with God is just that. Mine! Not yours, not his, not hers, but mine. Peace doesn't always come from having a perfect life. For me, it comes from trusting God even when life feels uncertain.

Be A Voice For Those Who Struggle To Find Theirs

I've also become passionate about encouraging others through awareness and inclusion. Whether I'm sharing messages about mental wellness, celebrating Disability Pride, or reminding someone that every person's journey deserves respect, I've learned that wellness grows stronger when compassion becomes part of our everyday lives. We all carry different stories, different strengths, and different challenges, yet every one of us deserves to feel seen, valued, and encouraged.

National Wellness Month isn't about perfection.

It's about progress.

It's about choosing rest when we're exhausted instead of feeling guilty.

It's about setting healthy boundaries without apologizing.

It's about celebrating small victories that others may never notice.

It's about giving ourselves grace on difficult days and refusing to quit.

Most importantly, it's about remembering that wellness is not a destination. It's a lifelong journey filled with tiny choices that eventually create extraordinary change.

If you're reading this today, I hope you'll make one simple promise to yourself.

Drink a little more water.

Take a short walk.

Watch a sunrise.

Write down three things you're grateful for.

Speak one kind affirmation over yourself.

Call someone you love.

Rest when your body asks for it.

Whatever your first step looks like, take it. You don't have to transform your life overnight. You only have to begin.

This National Wellness Month, I'm choosing to invest in my peace, protect my joy, strengthen my faith, and care for the person God created me to be. Because when I become healthier in mind, body, and spirit, I'm better equipped to encourage others to do the same.

And perhaps that's what wellness has been teaching me all along. The healthiest life isn't the busiest life. It's the life lived with purpose, gratitude, hope, and love. One beautiful day at a time.

References

- National Wellness Institute. National Wellness Month (background on the dimensions of wellness and wellness promotion).

- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy People 2030 (evidence-based health and well-being objectives).

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Resources on healthy living, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mental well-being.

I hope this blog has found you in good spirits and that you have enjoyed me sharing my personal thoughts and experiences about why national wellness month is so important to me. I truly appreciate everyone's support, especially on this very meaningful topic. Please leave a comment and share any of your thoughts and experiences. Please keep it positive and motivating. You never know who you may be inspiring. Wishing everyone peace, happiness and abundance. Please check back weekly for my latest blogs and any that you may have missed. Some will be personal, others will be about spreading awareness and some will be a combination of both. Until next time...

 -Daphne Oh

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