What Wolves Taught Me About Wellbeing
- Tanya
- Jul 4
- 3 min read
"Sometimes the greatest lessons about ourselves come from standing quietly
and simply observing the natural world."
For my 50th birthday, I was given a gift that fulfilled a lifelong dream: the opportunity to walk with wolves.
Like many people, I grew up with stories portraying wolves as fierce, solitary creatures. Spending time with them taught me something very different.
Meeting Chalok, Chitali, Cheveyo and Chenoa was an extraordinary privilege. Each had their own distinct personality. Some were bold and curious, others quieter and more observant. They interacted differently with one another, yet each had an important role within the pack.
Watching them, I found myself reflecting on how often we compare ourselves to others. We can spend so much time wondering whether we're doing enough, achieving enough or somehow measuring up.
Nature doesn't seem to work that way.
The strength of a wolf pack doesn't come from every wolf being the same. It comes from each individual contributing their own unique qualities.
Perhaps one of the lessons from the wolves is that we don't need to change who we are to belong. Our differences are often exactly what make us valuable.
But that wasn't the only lesson I came home with.
The Gift of Awe
For a few hours there were no appointments, emails or endless lists of things that needed doing.
There was simply the sound of paws on the woodland floor, the rustle of leaves, quiet conversation and the privilege of being fully present.
It reminded me how rarely many of us experience genuine awe.
Awe doesn't have to come from dramatic adventures or spectacular landscapes. It can be found in music, art, wildlife, a night sky full of stars or watching the sea roll in.
What these moments have in common is that they gently interrupt our usual patterns of thinking. They invite us to pause, pay attention and become immersed in something bigger than ourselves.
Research suggests that experiences of awe and immersion in nature can reduce our perception of stress, encourage us to look beyond our immediate worries and may support recovery from chronic stress. They don't magically heal us, but they can change the internal environment in which our bodies are constantly regulating and adapting.
As someone fascinated by the science of wellbeing, I find that incredibly exciting.
Our bodies are never static. Every second they are making countless adjustments to keep us functioning in an ever-changing world. Scientists call this allostasis—the remarkable ability to achieve stability through adaptation.
When we spend long periods under stress, those adaptive systems can become overworked. Recovery isn't simply the absence of stress; it's the process that allows those systems to recalibrate.
Perhaps that's why moments of awe can feel so restorative.
Creating the Conditions for Wellbeing
This experience also reminded me why I love practising reflexology.
People sometimes ask me whether reflexology "works".
I think a more helpful question is: What does reflexology help the body to do?
Modern wellbeing science increasingly recognises that health isn't just about treating illness. It's about creating the conditions in which the body can regulate, recover and adapt.
Reflexology isn't a magic cure, and it's not a replacement for medical care.
What it may offer is something equally valuable: an opportunity to slow down, breathe more deeply, experience profound relaxation and step away from the constant demands of everyday life.
In doing so, it can help create an internal environment that favours recovery, resilience and efficient regulation.
Interestingly, that's exactly what my afternoon with the wolves gave me.
Not because wolves possess any mystical healing powers.
But because the experience encouraged me to become fully present. It reminded me:
To notice.
To breathe.
To reconnect with nature.
To experience wonder.
Self-Care Is More Than a Treat
Later this month we celebrate International Self-Care Day.
The date — 24/7 — is a reminder that caring for ourselves isn't something we should reserve for occasional treats. It's something we can practise every day through the choices we make.
Sometimes self-care means asking for help.
Sometimes it means saying no.
Sometimes it means going for a walk.
Sometimes it means booking that reflexology appointment you've been postponing.
And sometimes it means saying yes to something you've dreamed about for years.
Walking with wolves was one of those moments for me.
A Different Way of Thinking About Wellbeing
The more I learn, the more I believe wellbeing isn't something we find.
It's something we cultivate.
Through connection.
Through curiosity.
Through meaningful relationships.
Through movement.
Through rest.
Through nature.
Through moments of awe.
And perhaps, every now and then, by walking alongside a wolf.
🌿 Tanya's Wellbeing Takeaway
"Perhaps true wellbeing isn't about becoming someone different. Perhaps it's about creating the conditions that allow us to become more fully ourselves."
