Building a Balanced Life: Occupational Wellness in an Imperfect System
By now we have all heard the phrase, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Although the sentiment behind this is well-meaning, the truth is that the things we love doing the most often do not translate to the reality of our financial needs within a capitalistic structure. For many people, work is less about passion and more about survival, stability, or access to healthcare and basic needs. When this reality clashes with cultural messages about loving your job, it can create shame, burnout, or the belief that something is wrong if work does not feel fulfilling.
What is Occupational Wellness?
Within SAMHSA’s 8 Dimensions of Wellness, occupational wellness is defined as personal enrichment and satisfaction derived from work. Importantly, this dimension does not exist in isolation. Our experience of work is deeply intertwined with other dimensions such as emotional, financial, social, and physical wellness. Occupational wellness is not about romanticizing labor. It is about understanding how work supports or strains our overall well-being.
From a trauma-informed perspective, occupational wellness requires us to look beyond productivity and performance. Trauma often shapes how individuals relate to authority, feedback, boundaries, and self-worth, which are central features of the workplace. A job that appears “successful” on paper may still undermine emotional or physical wellness if it consistently activates stress responses, over-functioning, or fear of failure. In this way, occupational wellness is closely connected to emotional wellness, as work can significantly impact mood, self-esteem, and nervous system regulation.
Integration within SAMSHA’s 8 Dimensions
Occupational wellness is also inseparable from financial wellness. Satisfaction at work does not require unequivocally loving what you do, but it does require that your work meets your basic needs with reasonable stability and fairness. For many, personal enrichment comes from knowing their work allows them to pay bills, plan for the future, and reduce chronic financial stress. This stability can free up emotional and mental energy for other areas of life, including relationships, creativity, and rest.
Personal enrichment at work can take many forms. It may show up as opportunities for learning and growth (intellectual wellness), respectful collaboration and connection with coworkers (social wellness), or flexibility that allows time for rest, movement, or family care (physical wellness). Even having clear expectations and predictable schedules can support a sense of safety and balance.
Occupational Wellness is Dynamic
Occupational wellness also invites us to reexamine how we define success. Within SAMHSA’s wellness model, wellness is dynamic, meaning it can change across seasons of life. A role that once felt enriching may no longer fit, and that does not represent failure. Sometimes wellness looks like growth and challenge; other times it looks like sustainability, boundaries, and conservation of energy.
As you reflect on your own occupational wellness, consider gentle, curious questions:
How does my work support my overall wellness right now?
Which dimensions feel nourished, and which feel depleted?
What is within my control, and where might I need additional support or compassion?
Meaningful change does not always require leaving a job; it often begins with awareness.
Ultimately, occupational wellness is not about finding the perfect job in an imperfect system. It is about cultivating a relationship with work that honors your humanity, supports your nervous system, and contributes—rather than detracts—from a balanced and well-rounded life.
Meet the Author
Cassie Thomas, MA, LPC
Cassie is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Wyoming. Cassie loves to support adolescent girls and gender non-conforming clients of any age in their exploration of identity.
Cassie is certified in EMDR and is skilled in supporting clients who struggle with chronic health conditions and CPTSD.
