The Gratitude Edit: Seven Pillars of Wellness
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am reflecting on what I'm most grateful for. My health. My family. My friendships. The freedom to move, explore, learn and experience this extraordinary life. And perhaps most importantly, the happiness that comes from feeling connected to myself, to others and to the world around me.
Gratitude is one of the most beautiful wellness practices we have. It encourages us to recognise the abundance already present in our lives, rather than constantly looking for something more.
Recently, I spent time in Asheville, North Carolina, experiencing Panchakarma, a traditional Ayurvedic programme, at SoHum Mountain Healing. It was a beautiful opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature and explore a philosophy of wellness that has been practised for thousands of years.
One of the things that resonated with me most was their Seven Pillars of Wellness: Nutrition, Cleanse, Movement, Sleep, Connection, Inspiration and Peace.
I love the simplicity of this approach. It reminds us that wellness isn't one single thing we do, one product we take or one practice we perfect. It's the relationship between how we nourish ourselves, how we move, how we rest, the people we love and the space we create to simply be.
This month's Edit is inspired by those seven pillars. People, places, objects, and ideas that can nurture in different ways.
SoHum Mountain Healing — Returning To Balance
Nature is one of our greatest teachers, and my time at SoHum Mountain Healing in Asheville was a reminder of just how much we can learn when we slow down enough to listen.
I was there to experience Panchakarma, a traditional Ayurvedic programme centred on cleansing, nourishment, rest and renewal. Ayurveda, which originated in India thousands of years ago, translates from Sanskrit as the knowledge or science of life. At the centre of this philosophy is its understanding that we're all unique, and that wellbeing comes from recognising our individual needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
SoHum introduces the Seven Pillars of Wellness. Nutrition is about what we consume and how we digest and assimilate it. Cleanse considers the body's natural processes of elimination. Movement encourages us to put that nourishment to work and cultivate prana, or life force. Sleep creates space for restoration. Connection brings us closer to family, friends, community and Mother Nature. Inspiration nourishes our aspirations and personal growth. And Peace invites us to be still, creating room for reflection and insight.
What struck me was how beautifully interconnected they are. We can nourish our bodies with wonderful food, but how are we sleeping? We can move every day, but are we making time for connection? Are we allowing ourselves moments of stillness, creativity and joy?
It reminded me that wellness is not about perfecting one part of ourselves. It's about nurturing the whole.
An Ayurvedic Ritual — Kitchari
Ayurveda places importance on food—not simply as fuel, but as an opportunity to nourish ourselves with greater awareness and intention.
Kitchari is one example. A traditional Indian dish made with rice, split mung beans, warming spices and often seasonal vegetables, it's commonly prepared during Ayurvedic programmes because of its simplicity and comforting qualities. Uncomplicated, home-cooked food, particularly at a time of year when life can feel so busy.
A simple kitchari recipe
Serves 3–4 · Approximately 40 minutes
Ingredients: ½ cup white basmati rice, ½ cup split yellow mung dal, 1 tablespoon ghee or olive oil, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 4–5 cups water, a pinch of salt, and optional seasonal vegetables such as carrot or zucchini. Fresh coriander and lime to serve.
Method: Rinse the rice and mung dal thoroughly. Warm the ghee in a saucepan and gently toast the cumin, turmeric and ginger. Add the rice and dal, followed by the water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for approximately 30–40 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally and adding water for your preferred consistency. Add any vegetables during cooking, season to taste and finish with fresh coriander and lime.
On My Bookshelf — Dr Vasant Lad
Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing
My experience in Asheville has inspired me to explore Ayurveda more deeply, and Dr Vasant Lad's Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing is a wonderful place to begin. It introduces the philosophy behind this ancient Indian tradition, including the three doshas—Vata, Pitta and Kapha—and the ways Ayurveda approaches food, daily routines and individual constitution.
What resonates with me is the invitation to become more observant of ourselves. To notice how we feel, how we digest, how we rest and how our needs evolve with the seasons and stages of life. It's an approach to wellbeing that encourages curiosity and self-understanding.
Strands of Eternity
I also love the philosophy behind Dr Lad's Strands of Eternity, a collection of poetry and spiritual reflections inspired by ancient Ayurvedic teachings. It explores the idea that wholeness isn't necessarily something we need to acquire, but something we can rediscover within ourselves.
A Moment Of Inspiration — Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho’s writing explores love, faith, courage, destiny and the extraordinary possibilities that open up when we begin to trust ourselves and follow what feels true.
Inspiration is such an important, and sometimes overlooked, part of wellbeing. We need things that ignite our curiosity, encourage us to dream and remind us that there is always more to discover about ourselves and the world.
A good book can do exactly that. It can change the way we see something, and sometimes that small shift in perspective changes everything.
Woolooma Glass House — A Place To Connect
https://www.wooloomaglasshouse.com/
Woolooma Glass House, in the mountains of New South Wales, is a remote glass house where the landscape becomes part of the experience, inviting you to slow down and appreciate the changing light, the weather and the extraordinary natural world outside.
The house is thoughtfully simple, with two bedrooms and space for four, making it somewhere I'd love to retreat with a few close friends or family. It's powered by solar energy and gas, and its minimal design allows the surroundings to take centre stage.
Sometimes peace is simply a change of scenery, a long walk, a beautiful conversation and the freedom to do absolutely nothing.
The Mountain Studio — S-11 W Ski Jacket
I love being outdoors in every season, and for anyone heading to the mountains over the holidays, The Mountain Studio has created a beautiful technical jacket that combines performance with understated design.
Their S-11 W Insulated Down Jacket has a waterproof, windproof and breathable ripstop shell, responsibly sourced down insulation and thoughtful details designed for movement, comfort and protection in the snow.
What I particularly love is that it feels practical without sacrificing style. There's something very liberating about having the right clothing to embrace the elements rather than avoid them.
Whether it's skiing, walking or simply spending time in the mountains, I believe movement and fresh air are two of the simplest pleasures we can give ourselves.
lemlem — Nia Slip Dress in Abira White
Founded by Ethiopian model Liya Kebede, lemlem is works with artisans to preserve traditional weaving techniques while creating opportunities for local craftsmanship.
The Nia Slip Dress in Abira White is one of those beautiful pieces that feels both relaxed and special. Handwoven in Ethiopia from soft cotton with delicate silver detailing, it has a lovely fluid shape and a lightness that makes it perfect for warmer days or a holiday somewhere beautiful.
A Gift To Treasure — Hermès
https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/passifolia-breakfast-cup-and-saucer-P044015P/
A cup from Hermès is one of those small luxuries that can make an everyday moment feel special. A beautiful cup, a favourite tea, a quiet moment to yourself. Sometimes that's all we need. The red one is my actual set, the yellow one is sunny fun and the ladybird is gorgeous and the one I often gift.
WelleCo — Black Friday For The Greater Good
As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm also thinking about what it really means to give, and what is genuinely worth investing in.
I've always believed that our health is our greatest asset. When we feel well, we have more energy for the people we love, greater freedom to experience life and more opportunities to enjoy everything it has to offer.
That's why I feel good about Black Friday at WelleCo.
Not because I believe we need to consume more for the sake of it, but because I believe that making wellness more accessible is something worth celebrating.
Whether it's discovering The Super Elixir™ for the first time, replenishing the formulas you already love or introducing someone special to Beauty-through-Wellness, I hope our Black Friday offers make it a little easier to choose the things that genuinely support you.
Especially as we move into the holidays and begin thinking about the year ahead, I can't imagine a more meaningful gift than the gift of wellness.
When it comes to looking after ourselves and one another, I believe more nourishment, more care and more opportunity to feel well are always worth celebrating.
Closing Thoughts — The Greatest Gift
What I loved about the Seven Pillars of Wellness is that they remind us how many different ways there are to nurture a beautiful life.
We can nourish ourselves with food, but also with friendship. We can discover inspiration in a book, and in nature.
We can give ourselves permission to be still, to appreciate where we are and to recognise how much we already have.
This Thanksgiving, my wish is that we all find a little more time for the things that make us feel truly well.
To nourish. To move. To rest. To connect. To be inspired. To find peace.
With wellness, you can.
Love, Elle x
