What is Wellness and Why is It Important?
When I talk to people about “wellness”, they often share things related to fruits and veggies, water, and working out. And I hate to burst bubbles, but I have to be honest and tell you the same secret I’ve told all of them: all of that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Nutrition and exercise are most closely related to the physical dimension of wellness. But there are seven other dimensions! So sis don’t get me wrong, focusing more on balance within your diet and staying hydrated is important! I’m not knocking or discounting that at all. That’s a great first step. But there are eight dimensions of wellness, and I’m going to share them with you.
The eight dimensions of wellness are part of a model created by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, also known as SAMHSA, and this model or guide offers a broad approach for things we can do—at our own pace, in our own time, and within our own abilities—that can help us feel better and live longer.
The 8 dimensions of wellness are:
EMOTIONAL
SAMHSA identifies emotional wellness as an ability to cope effectively with life and build satisfying relationships with others.
SPIRITUAL
Spiritual wellness is related to your values and beliefs that help you find meaning and purpose in your life.
INTELLECTUAL
Intellectual wellness is when you recognize your unique talents to be creative and you seek out ways to use your knowledge and skills.
PHYSICAL
Physical wellness is affected by physical activity, healthy nutrition, and adequate sleep.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental wellness is related to the surroundings you occupy.
FINANCIAL
Financial wellness is a feeling of satisfaction about your financial situation.
OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational wellness is a sense of satisfaction with your choice of work.
SOCIAL
Social wellness is a sense of connectedness and belonging.
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By learning about and applying the model and these dimensions, you’ll become aware of the interconnectedness of each dimension and how they contribute to healthy living. It involves:
how a person contributes to his or her environment and community, and how to build better living spaces and social networks;
the enrichment of life through work, and its interconnectedness to living and playing;
the development of belief systems, values, and creating a world-view;
the benefits of regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, strength and vitality, as well as personal responsibility, self-care and when to seek medical attention;
self-esteem, self-control, and determination as a sense of direction;
How finances factor into overall health and well being
What inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings
And creative and stimulating mental activities, and sharing your gifts with others.
Applying a wellness approach can be useful in pretty much everything we do. Wellness is important because we are the most important piece of our live puzzles. In order to be able to serve others well, show up for loved ones, perform well in our professions, and live a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment, we have to take care of our whole selves.
So here’s a little exercise for you:
Imagine a state of well-being. a life of truly being well.
What does it feel like?
What characterizes your relationship with money?
Who’s in your corner when it’s time to celebrate, or when you need help?
What is your power source?
What kind of job do you have?
What fitness trends do you abandon in pursuit of physical wellness that best suits you?
What fuels you creatively, gets you thinking outside of the box?
How do you nurture your environment, and how is serving you?
How are your feelings being validated, both internally and externally?
Your answers to these questions are the basis for what I like to call your “well” life. You have the blueprint to the well life that you’re destined to live, you just need to tap into it.
Keep your life of personal harmony in mind and know, these things: you are capable of achieving a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
That’s it for this post! I hope this gets you one step closer to becoming your own wellness expert without the guesswork. If you’re ready to start your wellness journey, get my free list guide 5 Things to Know When Starting Your Wellness Journey to uncomplicate wellness, bypass some common roadblocks, and and begin the journey to becoming your own wellness expert.