Wellness glossary

Everyday wellbeing terms, explained plainly and honestly.

ABCFHMNRSTW

A

Anchor habit
An existing daily action, such as brushing your teeth, that a new habit is attached to so it is easier to remember and repeat.
Active rest
Light movement, such as a gentle walk or stretching, used on recovery days instead of complete inactivity.

B

Baseline
Your current starting point for a habit or measure, recorded before you try to change it so progress can be judged fairly.
Breathwork
Deliberate, paced breathing exercises, often used to slow down and settle the nervous system.

C

Circadian rhythm
The roughly twenty four hour internal clock that influences sleep, alertness and many other body functions, strongly shaped by light exposure.
Cue
The trigger that starts a habit, such as a time of day, a place, or a preceding action.

F

Freemium
A pricing model where a wellness app offers a free tier with limited features and charges for a fuller paid version.
Flow
A focused state where an activity feels absorbing and effortless, often described in the context of work, exercise or creative practice.

H

Habit stacking
Building a new habit by placing it immediately after an existing one, using the first as a reliable cue for the second.
Hydration
Maintaining enough fluid intake for normal body function. Thirst and the colour of urine are common everyday signals rather than fixed daily totals.

M

Mindfulness
Paying attention to the present moment on purpose, with openness and without harsh judgement. Often practised through short, repeated sessions.
Micro habit
A habit made deliberately small, such as one push up or one minute of reading, so it is almost too easy to skip.

N

Newsletter
A regular email, often weekly, that delivers themed guidance or prompts. A good one supports a habit rather than demanding constant attention.
NEAT
Non exercise activity thermogenesis, the energy used in everyday movement such as walking, standing and household tasks, outside of formal exercise.

R

Routine
A set sequence of actions repeated at a regular time, such as a morning or evening routine, which reduces the effort of deciding what to do next.
Resilience
The capacity to recover and keep functioning after stress or setbacks. It is built gradually, not through any single technique.

S

Sleep hygiene
The everyday habits that support good sleep, such as a consistent schedule, a dark cool room, and limiting screens and caffeine late in the day.
Self care
Ordinary actions taken to look after your own wellbeing. The useful version is practical and repeatable, not a label for occasional treats.

T

Tiny action
A very small, low effort step done consistently, chosen because its small size is what makes it sustainable over time.
Tracking
Recording a habit or measure to notice patterns and stay consistent. It helps until it becomes a chore, at which point simpler is usually better.

W

Wellbeing
A broad sense of feeling and functioning well across physical, mental and social life. It is shaped by many small factors rather than any single one.
Wellness
The everyday habits and choices that support how you feel and function. It is not a cure, a diagnosis, or a replacement for medical care.