Wellbeing

Wellbeing Is Like a Bank Account: Are You Making Deposits or Withdrawals?

Every day we make choices. Choices that either fill us up or drain us. And while most of us know the importance of eating well, sleeping well and taking time for ourselves, it is easy to get swept up in the demands of work, family and life. Before we know it, we are running on empty.

The truth is, wellbeing is not just one thing you can tick off a list. It is a balance of what we feed our mind, our body and our emotions. Ignore one area for too long and you will feel the effects. Nurture them and you give yourself the reserves to show up better, cope with pressure and thrive in the areas that matter most.

One of the simplest ways to understand this balance is to think of your wellbeing like a bank account. Every good habit and every small act of self care is a deposit. Every moment of stress, neglect or pushing beyond your limits is a withdrawal. The goal is not perfection. It is making sure that you are putting more in than you are taking out.

The Deposits: Habits That Build You Up

When you do the things that support your health, your mindset, and your energy, you are building a buffer. This is what makes you more resilient when the unexpected happens.

Think about it like this:

Sleep well, deposit. Getting enough rest is one of the most powerful ways to recharge your brain and body.
Eat well, deposit. Fuelling your body properly stabilises your energy, mood and focus.
Think well, deposit. The way you speak to yourself, manage stress and reframe challenges all add to your mental reserves.
Connect well, deposit. Spending time with supportive people and investing in relationships brings a sense of belonging and balance.
Move well, deposit. Regular movement, whether that is training, walking or simply stretching, improves both physical and mental wellbeing.

These deposits do not need to be huge gestures. Often it is the small, consistent actions that count most. A 20 minute walk, an earlier bedtime, or even pausing to take three deep breaths can be more powerful than you think.

The Withdrawals: Habits That Drain You

On the other side are the withdrawals. These are the moments, habits and behaviours that chip away at your reserves.

Some are unavoidable. We all face stress, deadlines and challenges. Others are within our control but become habits when we stop paying attention.

Withdrawals might look like:

Long periods of poor sleep.
Skipping meals or relying on quick fixes that leave you drained.
Negative self talk and constant self doubt.
Surrounding yourself with stressful environments or unsupportive people.
Pushing through exhaustion instead of resting.

The problem is not the occasional withdrawal, it is when the balance tips. If you keep withdrawing without making enough deposits, eventually the account runs dry. And when you are operating on nothing, everything feels harder than it should.

Are You in Balance?

The challenge is that most people only notice when they are already in the red. Exhaustion, overwhelm and burnout are signs that the balance has been off for too long.

So pause for a moment and ask yourself: Am I making more withdrawals than deposits?

If the answer is yes, the good news is that you can start to reset the balance today.

Small Steps to Rebalance

Wellbeing does not need to be a massive overhaul. It is about making small but effective deposits that build up over time.

Here are some simple ways to start:

If you are mentally drained: Get outside. A change of environment, fresh air or spending time with uplifting people can do wonders.
If you are exhausted: Slow down. Prioritise rest, even if that means saying no to something that does not serve you.
If you feel disconnected: Make time for meaningful connection, even if it is a short call or coffee with someone supportive.
If stress is building: Offload. Write things down, journal or talk it through. Taking it out of your head helps reduce the mental clutter.

These do not need to be dramatic changes. Remember, even small deposits compound. Just like a savings account, consistency matters more than one off efforts.

Why This Matters

When your wellbeing account is in credit, you have more capacity. More energy to face challenges. More patience to handle stress. More clarity to make decisions. More resilience to bounce back from setbacks.

On the other hand, when your reserves are drained, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. You are more likely to snap at others, doubt yourself or spiral into negative thinking. And over time, that impacts not just you but the people around you your colleagues, your family, your team.

Building a Personal Wellbeing Plan

This is where coaching comes in. Everyone’s account looks different. What works for one person might not for another. Some people thrive on early mornings and structure. Others need flexibility and time to recharge in different ways.

Working with a coach can help you identify:

Where your biggest withdrawals are coming from.
What small deposits would have the biggest impact for you.
How to build realistic routines that keep you in balance.
What habits align with your values and long term goals.

The aim is not to eliminate stress or avoid challenges, it is to make sure you have enough in your account to handle them without running yourself down.