The Seven Dimensions of Wellness Social Physical Emotional Career Intellectual Environmental Spiritual

Social The ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. The ability to communicate well (verbally and non-verbally). Our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers contributes to our Social Wellness. Examples Someone who works to decrease violence and handles conflict in a positive way Demonstrates basic social etiquette (i.e. says thank you, excuse me/pardon me, good morning, etc.)

Emotional The ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring. The ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness or stress; hope, love, joy and happiness in a productive manner contributes to our Emotional Wellness. Examples Takes action to control stress (exercises, journaling, yoga, diaphragmatic breathing, etc.) Calmly and openly discuss your feelings in a respectful way. Has a conscience and considers how actions affect others (“listens to inner self”)

Career The ability to get personal fulfillment from our jobs or our chosen career (school if you’re a student) fields while still maintaining balance in our lives. Our desire to contribute in our careers to make a positive impact on the organizations (school) we work (study) in and to society as a whole. Examples Someone who believes that school work is meaningful and allows for personal growth. Able to balance work with rest and play Someone who continues to do the best he/she can do when working

Physical The ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get through our daily activities without fatigue or physical stress. The ability to recognize that our behaviors have a significant impact on our wellness and adopting healthful habits (routine check ups, a balanced diet, exercise, etc.) while choosing to avoid destructive habits (tobacco, drugs, alcohol, etc.) Examples Someone who eats a nutritious breakfast every morning Someone who exercises at least three times a week Someone who protects him/herself from STDs Someone who chooses to be drug and alcohol free

Intellectual The ability to open our minds to new ideas and experiences that can be applied to personal decisions, group interaction and community betterment. The desire to learn new concepts, improve skills and seek challenges in pursuit of lifelong learning. Examples Someone who accepts challenges as a vehicle for growth Someone who reads often for enjoyment Someone who is able to listen to ideas other than his/her own

Environmental The ability to make a positive impact on the quality of our surroundings—be it our homes, our communities, or our planet. Examples Someone who recognizes his/her impact on the environment Someone who recycles and realizes that there is no “away” when he/she throws things into the garbage Someone who avoids excessively noisy situations such as loud headphones or athletic events (acoustic overexposure can lead to temporary or permanent loss of hearing).

Spiritual The ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives. The process of discovering meaning and purpose in life and demonstrating values through behaviors. Examples A person who meditates or prays on a regular basis A person who takes time to enjoy beauty (nature, seasonal weather, holidays, etc.) A person who loves life and is free of self-destructive behaviors.

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