Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Well at Every dimension- 8 Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is often hard to define because everyone's sense of wellness and quality of life is different. However, wellness should be the pursuit of continued growth and balance in the eight dimensions of wellness. Wellness is the full-integration of physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It is a complex interaction that leads to quality of life.

Social

The social dimension of wellness includes how we interact with our community and 9environment. This is our ability to create and maintain positive relationships and enjoy being with others- how we communicate our needs and feelings- having support networks, and being a contributing member of the community.

Physical

The physical dimension of wellness includes striving for optimal cardiovascular health, flexibility, strength and maintaining regular physical activity. Physical wellness encourages knowledge about nutrition and activities that contribute to high levels of wellness, including medical self-care and the appropriate use of the health care system.

Intellectual

Intellectual wellness includes having a healthy mind by fostering creativity and critical thinking as well as motivating oneself to master new skills.

Emotional

This dimension of wellness emphasizes the awareness and acceptance of one's feelings. Emotional wellness is how well one is able to recognize and express emotions- the degree to which one feels positive about life as well as the ability to effectively cope with stress.

Financial

A financially well person has a realistic understanding of their financial situation. This involves being able to control and maintain a balance of income and expenditures. One should make financial decisions that allow one to save, invest and plan for the future.

Spiritual

The spiritual dimension of wellness involves a person's exploration of spiritual concepts within themselves and others to discover the purpose of human existence- using personal beliefs and values to choose actions and interpret how they view the world.

Environmental

Environmental wellness is about appreciating and respecting our external environment. It is important to be aware of the limits of the earth's natural resources and understand that all human activity impacts the environment.

Occupational

Occupational wellness fulfills a defined role that provides personal satisfaction and enjoyment derived from one's work. One should choose their occupation based on their beliefs, goals, lifestyle, and values.