Well-being should contribute to an improvement in one's state of health, but over time it has turned into yet another aspect that can be ruined. There is a constant feeling of the need to follow new routines, form habits, or try various treatment methods. People tend to compare their sleep, diet, physical activity, and morning routines with others, wondering why they cannot make everything perfect.
Monique Pereira, with over twenty years of experience in the wellness industry, believes that well-being has become overly complicated. In her opinion, the starting point is allowing oneself to rest, which many lack.
Pereira emphasizes: 'We need to stop viewing rest as something that must be earned.' She notes that many feel obligated to finish all tasks, take care of everyone around them, and achieve a certain level of productivity before allowing themselves a break, while there is always something requiring attention.
Self-care should not feel like pressure
Pereira also considers comparison a trap. Although someone's wellness program may look appealing, it does not necessarily mean it is right for you. She warns: 'Someone's routine might look wonderful, but it could have very little to do with what you actually need.'
This is an important distinction in an era when self-care is often presented as a set of extra elements that need to be added to life. Instead, Pereira suggests asking yourself: 'What drains my energy, what helps me restore it, and what can I change to support myself and achieve a different result?' Sometimes the answer is surprisingly simple: it might mean saying 'no' more often, being less available, setting healthier boundaries, or accepting that enough was done in a day.
Despite her work in the wellness field, Pereira admits that she herself has not mastered all these principles. She says: 'I say this as someone who is still learning myself.' She adds that working in the wellness industry does not make a person immune to excessive strain.
There is no universal approach to well-being
Pereira's understanding of health has changed significantly since she first became interested in skincare during her teenage years. Initially, she viewed well-being primarily through the lens of cosmetology, procedures, and visible results. Later, her career led her into various fields, including working on international cruise ships and managing her own business.
These experiences introduced her to different cultures, personalities, and expectations, teaching her to listen before making assumptions. She notes: 'People can express themselves very differently, but the desire to feel respected, understood, cared for, and attended to—that is what we share.'
Today, Pereira holds the position of spa manager at Steenberg Spa, where her duties include both guest interaction and team leadership. Years of work in this industry have reinforced her belief that what restores one person may not suit another. She concludes: 'Every guest is individual. What restores one person may not restore another.'
Sometimes people just need to be heard
There is another component of well-being that cannot easily be bought or incorporated into a morning routine—it is connection with other people. Over the years, Pereira has observed how people open up when given time and space free from daily demands.
She asserts: 'You build relationships that go far beyond procedures. Guests share their stories, and over time, you realize how important it is just to create a space where people feel cared for.'
This is why she believes we should be wary of the idea that well-being can only be achieved through purchasing. She adds: 'Procedures can play a valuable role, but daily habits and the demands we place on ourselves are also important.'
For Pereira, well-being is increasingly related to looking at the whole person, rather than trying to fix just one aspect of their life.
What does well-being look like in real life?
Outside of work, Pereira admits that disconnecting is not always natural. She is ambitious, deeply cares about her career, and like many working mothers, often feels pulled in different directions. Instead of chasing the idea of perfect balance, she is learning to find harmony.
When life becomes too heavy, her personal way to recharge can be simple: going to bed early, postponing work, journaling, meditating, or taking a walk in the mountains. She also enjoys sharing some of these practices with her daughter.
She realizes: 'I understand that how I manage my emotions affects how she learns to manage hers.' This realization has made her more mindful of the example she sets. She wants her daughter to see a woman who works hard and values her career, but who also pays attention to her own well-being. She wants her daughter to know that one can be ambitious, care for others, and still find time for oneself.
Perhaps this is where the conversation about well-being should return. Not to another to-do list to complete, but to a more honest question about what we truly need. Sometimes it can be a walk, meditation, or time in nature. Sometimes it can be connection. And sometimes it can just be going to bed early and accepting that tomorrow is a new day. Well-being should not become another measure of our productivity; it can be as simple as knowing how to listen to yourself.