The Nine Hallmarks of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing are increasingly recognized as vital contributors to quality of life and longevity. The growing burden of emotional stress and mental health conditions globally has brought to light the importance of proactive, holistic strategies that extend beyond the treatment of mental illness. To address this need, Clinique La Prairie’s innovation team together with its scientific committee have developed the Watershed Framework of Mental Health and Wellbeing; a comprehensive model built on nine interconnected hallmarks designed to guide lifestyle interventions for healthspan optimization and resilient living.

This framework emphasizes that mental health is not merely the absence of mental disorders. It is a multidimensional and dynamic state, encompassing psychological, biological, and social elements that influence one another. Through this lens, even small improvements in one area can cascade positively across others, setting the foundation for robust mental resilience and long-term vitality.

The Three Layers of the Watershed Framework

The nine hallmarks of the Watershed Framework are grouped into three interrelated layers:

The Watershed Framework is structured into three interconnected layers, each representing a distinct dimension of mental wellbeing while working in synergy to support healthspan and resilience.

At the base are the Foundational Elements, which establish the essential conditions for mental health. These include the regulation of circadian rhythms and the quality of social connections which are factors that quietly underpin emotional stability, cognitive performance, and immune function. Without these basic anchors, more advanced strategies for wellbeing lose their footing.

Building upon this base are the Wellbeing Catalysts, a set of physiological and psychological domains that respond dynamically to lifestyle interventions. These include the body’s resilience to stress, overall vitality, cardiovascular and immune function, and the complex interplay of the gut-brain axis. Optimizing these systems has ripple effects, amplifying the benefits of foundational habits and setting the stage for deeper transformation.

At the top of the framework are the Thriving Factors, the outcomes that define a flourishing mind: sustained cognitive performance and a positive emotional state. These are not simply traits to aspire to, but measurable endpoints of a well-supported inner ecosystem. When the foundational and catalytic layers are aligned, thriving becomes a natural result.

Taken together, this layered model shows that lasting mental wellbeing is not built through singular actions, but through a synchronized system where each domain reinforces the others.

1 | Circadian Rhythms & Sleep Recovery: The Timekeepers of Mental Health

Biological rhythms regulate vital processes including hormone secretion, metabolism, and immune function. When circadian patterns are disrupted, risks increase for psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

Chronic sleep issues, prevalent in up to 30% of adults, worsen with age and are linked to cognitive decline, mood disorders, and even dementia. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding screens before bed, and supporting natural melatonin production are core strategies. Emerging tools like vagus nerve stimulation also show promise in restoring sleep quality.

2 | Social Connections: A Lifeline for Healthspan

Strong social bonds significantly impact mental and physical health. Data show that those with close relationships have a 50% higher survival rate, while social isolation increases risks of disease and cognitive decline.

In older adults, meaningful social ties improve end-of-life outcomes and overall resilience. Interventions such as group programs, volunteering, and mindfulness practices that foster compassion and reduce prejudice can greatly enhance this vital domain.

3 | Resilience to Stress: Psychological Adaptation

Stress resilience determines how individuals cope with adversity and is influenced by biological, psychological, and social contexts. Low resilience manifests as anxiety, irritability, and physical symptoms like insomnia or fatigue.

Studies show that higher resilience correlates with significantly reduced mortality risk. Interventions including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, and breathing exercises are proven to enhance stress resilience and emotional regulation.

4 | Vitality: The Energy That Drives Wellbeing

Vitality, defined by sustained energy and motivation, is inversely related to fatigue, a widespread issue affecting 20% of adults. Low vitality leads to reduced quality of life and economic burden due to impaired productivity.

Regular physical activity is one of the most effective solutions. Studies show it improves energy, reduces fatigue, and enhances overall mental wellbeing. Tai Chi, relaxation techniques, and behavioral therapies also support this domain.

5 | Cardiovascular Health: A Bidirectional Relationship with Mental Health

Mental and cardiovascular health are intricately linked. Conditions like depression and anxiety increase heart disease risk, while cardiovascular problems can exacerbate psychological distress.

Stress-induced inflammation, lifestyle changes, and hormonal imbalances contribute to cardiovascular decline. Protective strategies include exercise, anti-inflammatory diets, sleep hygiene, and supplements like NAD+ precursors and curcumin. Optimizing cardiovascular health also benefits brain function and cognitive longevity.

6 | Immune Health & Neuro-Immune Balance: The Mind-Body Interface

Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction are closely tied to mental health disorders. Conditions such as depression often present with elevated inflammatory markers, and inflammation is believed to contribute to symptoms like anhedonia, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.

Lifestyle interventions such as anti-inflammatory nutrition, regular moderate exercise, and stress management can improve immune resilience. The emerging field of psychoneuroimmunity further underlines the mutual influence of psychological and immune function.

7 | The Gut-Brain Axis: Digestive Health as a Mental Health Driver

The gut microbiota affects neurotransmitter production, inflammation, and emotional balance. Disruptions in gut health are linked to anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline.

Diets high in fiber and plant-based foods enhance beneficial gut bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory compounds like short-chain fatty acids. Probiotic intake has been shown to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Sustaining gut health is a powerful lever for overall wellbeing.

8 | Cognitive Performance: The Sharpness Behind a Thriving Mind

Cognitive function, including memory, focus, and problem-solving, is foundational for personal and professional success. Sleep deprivation, stress, and fatigue impair cognition, often leading to “brain fog.”

Aerobic and resistance training, quality sleep, and stress reduction techniques like mindfulness all improve cognition. These interventions are especially crucial for older adults seeking to preserve independence and quality of life.

9 | Positive Emotionality: The Joy of Living

Positive emotions such as joy, gratitude and love are linked to reduced stress, better immune function, and enhanced relationships. Tools from positive psychology, such as gratitude journaling and mindfulness, have measurable benefits on mood and overall life satisfaction.

Importantly, promoting positive emotionality does not mean suppressing negative feelings. True wellbeing includes emotional flexibility and the ability to feel, process, and move through the full spectrum of human emotions.

Implications for Longevity and Healthspan

The Watershed Framework moves beyond symptom management, offering a blueprint for proactive, preventive health that considers the interconnected nature of the human experience. Each element, whether foundational, catalytic, or thriving, represents a lever for influencing overall mental and physical health.

In practice, lifestyle interventions that simultaneously target multiple elements of this framework are likely to deliver compounding benefits. For example, mindfulness improves both sleep and social connection, which in turn strengthen stress resilience, cognitive clarity, and emotional balance. These synergies may play a decisive role in extending not only lifespan but also healthspan for the years of life spent in good health.

Conclusion

Clinique La Prairie’s Watershed Framework offers a scientifically grounded and accessible model for optimizing mental health across the lifespan. While grounded in the latest research, its core message is universal: everyone can take steps to improve mental resilience, emotional clarity, and overall wellbeing, regardless of age or background.

By understanding and nurturing the nine hallmarks across biological, psychological, and social domains, individuals and healthcare practitioners can build robust foundations for resilience, purpose, and longevity. As a guiding structure for scientific innovation and clinical care, this model also forms the scientific backbone of programs like Life Reset, helping guests recalibrate from within and embrace healthier, more intentional lives aligned with Clinique La Prairie’s mission of empowering longer, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Adapted from the scientific publication authored by Isabel Garcia-Garcia, Justin Carrard, Jean-Bernard Daeppen, Patrizia D’Amelio, Simone Gibertoni, Adrian Heini, Julijana Ivanisevic, Ernst T.Rietschel, Goranka Tanackovic and Olga Donica. The original article can be found as a pre-print HERE.