What is the BioPsychoSocial model of wellness?

Little is new, and in a world where everyone is trying to be seen I’m starting this by saying that I have no desire to reinvent the wheel. Pretty much everything I know has come from someone or somewhere else. Therefore this l’il blog entry is more of a puzzle, put together contentedly by me, from pieces from others.

Hey Google, where’d it come from?

The biopsychosocial model was primarily developed by George Engel who introduced it in his 1977 paper titled “The Need for a New Medical Model: A Challenge for Biomedicine,” where he argued that health and illness should be understood through a lens that includes biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than just biological factors alone; essentially challenging the purely biomedical model that was prevalent at the time.

Here’s a good visual of the BPS model…

Viewing the BPS model in terms of healing.

In a past life as a Freediver I encountered a chap by name of Simon Borg-Olivier, a Yogi and physiotherapist from Australia who had come over to Long Island in the Bahamas to assist in a course. I had flown over for it and we were training in the world famous Deans Blue Hole, being coached by World Champion Freediver William Trubridge (both he and it are worth googling!). I was totally out of my depth (literally) at the time, having only just begun my Freediving journey, so this whole week was a profound experience!

Since then I have observed Simons activities from afar, and this morning in one of his emails he talked about what he called the ‘Foundations of Healing’. I have used the BPS as a way to explain what I have long felt and known, but how Simon has expressed just aligns with my feels completely. It fills in the gaps and it’s 100% worth sharing.

So everything below (ie from after this paragraph) is written by Simon. His website and contact email is also there. What he is has articulated is complete and it needs no adjustment. Please note he loves to emphasise with the use of bold. It works.

Simon Borg-Olivier – Understanding the Foundations of Healing

When we talk about healing—whether it’s physical, emotional, or even spiritual—it’s essential to break it down in a way that makes sense to our Western, reductionist minds.

I believe that a healthy lifestyle is built on five key components, all of which must be addressed for genuine healing to take place:

1. Physical Needs – A pain-free, functional body.
2. Physiological Needs – Balanced energy and a relaxed nervous system.
3. Mental & Emotional Needs – Clarity of mind, emotional resilience, and a sense of inner happiness.
4. Social Needs – Meaningful connections with others.
5. Lifestyle & Financial Stability – A way of living that supports health, happiness, and longevity.

Each of these five areas is interconnected. If you neglect even one of them, you create imbalances that can manifest as physical or emotional discomfort.


1. Physical Needs – A Pain-Free, Functional Body

The most important aspect of physical health is to have a pain-free and fully functional body—not necessarily to perform extreme physical feats, but simply to move with ease and without restriction.

Many people chase strength, flexibility, or endurance while ignoring functional movement and comfort in their daily activities. True physical health means your body works efficiently and without pain.


2. Physiological Needs – Energy, Relaxation & Nervous System Balance

Physiology is often misunderstood. Many people rely on medications to regulate their physiology, but what I’ve discovered through 50 years of research—combining science and traditional wisdom—is that we can fine-tune our physiology naturally through:

• Posture adjustments
• Movement techniques
• Breathing practices

These simple, natural approaches often bring better results than medication, without the side effects.

A key physiological state for healing and longevity is parasympathetic dominance—meaning your nervous system is primarily in the relaxed, regenerative mode.

When your nervous system is relaxed and you have stable energy levels, you create an internal environment for healing, regeneration, and happiness.

This state allows your immune system, digestive system, and regenerative (reproductive) system to function optimally. These three systems are responsible for cell repair, immune response, and hormonal balance—all essential for long-term health.


3. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing – The Core of Happiness

The mind is often the root of both suffering and healing.

A healthy mind should be:

• Clear and focused when necessary.
• Naturally happy (which is the default state in children and animals).
• Balanced between logic and intuition.

Many people believe we live in a purely rational world, but even science begins with assumptions—and assumptions are intuition-based.

The logical mind (masculine) and the intuitive mind (feminine) must work together. A purely logical mind is limited. The gut brain, known as the enteric nervous system, is central to balancing these two aspects.

The gut brain directly influences:

• Emotional regulation
• Intuition
• Decision-making

Connecting with your gut intelligence strengthens both physical and mental resilience.

4. Social Connection – Healing Through Relationships

Scientific studies confirm that social interactions are crucial for:

• Long-term health
• Happiness
• Longevity

Healing must extend beyond the self into how we connect with others.

One of my guiding principles is:

“Create loving connections inside your body as a model for how you interact in the world.”

This means:

• Encouraging healthy blood flow (which I call good energy).
• Cultivating a relaxed nervous system (which I call loving information).

A calm, energised, functional body invites happiness and ease in social interactions. When you feel good, you naturally share that energy with those around you—whether it’s family, friends, colleagues, or even strangers in a supermarket.

5. Lifestyle & Financial Stability – A Foundation for Longevity

For many, financial stress is a significant barrier to health and happiness.

However, when you:

• Have a pain-free, functional body
• Maintain balanced energy and a relaxed nervous system
• Feel mentally clear and emotionally stable
• Have fulfilling social connections

…it becomes much easier to create a sustainable lifestyle and financial stability.

Healing starts from within. When you take care of yourself, you create the foundation for a fulfilling and abundant life.

Simon Borg-Olivier; The key to Healing

Returning to the Body – The Key to Healing

One of the most powerful practices for healing is making a daily appointment with yourself.

Deepak Chopra once said that we make appointments for everything in life, but the most important one we should never cancel is the appointment with ourselves.

This can take the form of:

• A physical practice (non-stressful activities )
• Connecting with your breathing (without over-breathing
• Mindfulness exercises
• Simple relaxation techniques

The key is not to force change but to simply engage with your body in a way that feels good and pain-free.

Posture & Breath – The Hidden Keys to Longevity

A significant problem in modern health is sitting for prolonged periods.

Sitting for years leads to:

• Tension in the front of your hips → Lower back compression → Chronic pain
• Diaphragm dysfunction → Reduced energy and emotional imbalance
• Restricted breathing → Triggers stress and blocks healing

A simple postural correction is to:

1. Stand with your knees slightly bent (reduces hip tension and releases your diaphragm).
2. Relax your abdomen (stops unnecessary energy wastage and releases your spine).
3. Ensure natural, diaphragmatic breathing (regenerates the nervous system).

A deep breath isn’t about expanding the chest—it’s about creating a soft, natural expansion in the pelvic floor, lower back, and abdomen.

Movement & Healing – The Core-First Principle

Natural movement always begins from the core.

For example, when you lift your head, try this:

• Expand your abdomen first, then lift your throat and chin.
• Notice how this keeps your neck free of tension.

Similarly, in walking:

• Instead of leading with the feet, move your core first.
• Before stepping forward, slightly rotate your pelvis in the direction of movement.

Studies show that fluid, pelvic-based movement walking is linked to:

• Better spinal health
• Increased reproductive function
• Improved blood circulation

A rigid core drains energy. A free-moving core enhances vitality.

Simple Somatic Healing Practice

A Quick Somatic Reset (Standing or Seated): Keep these key body parts lengthened, relaxed, and even move them gently and fluidly to reset your nervous system, improve energy levels and help your joints.

1. Lengthen your fingers (but keep them soft and relaxed).
2. Move your shoulders apart (broadening collarbones and shoulder blades).
3. Lengthen your neck (both front and back).
4. Relax your pelvic floor and hips (let your sitting bones drop).
5. Soften your abdomen (ensure unrestricted, natural breathing).
6. Relax your face (jaw, lips, tongue, eyes).

This gentle reset activates parasympathetic dominance, restoring your body’s natural healing state.

Final Thoughts

If I could leave you with three key reminders:

1. Enjoy your life – Happiness is a choice.
2. Look after your body – It’s the only one you have.
3. Help others enjoy their lives – Share the good energy and loving information you have gathered inside yourselves with the world around you.

Healing starts inside—and when we cultivate balance within, we create a world that reflects that harmony back to us.

See my online courses including membership here: https://simonborgolivier.com/products. For support please email support@simonborgolivier.com

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Hope you enjoyed reading that, Simon was, and remains, a positive influence on my own evolution, his words speak truth and they resonate with me completely.