What is it? Why does it matter? Eight Dimensions of Wellness

What is your definition of wellness? Take a second and share with the people next to you.

What is wellness? The World Health Organization defines wellness as: “...a state of complete physical, mental, and social well- being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” According to the National Wellness Institute, wellness is: “a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential.”

Why is wellness important? This comes down to a quality of life issue. Increased wellness (well-being) = increased quality of life Our actions and emotions affect our well-being and our well-being affects our actions and emotions. Ongoing cycle (in part what makes changing things so hard sometimes) Achieving solid wellness can lead to less stress, illness, and help ensure positive interactions.

The 8 dimensions of wellness (UC Davis) Emotional Environmental Social Spiritual Financial Physical Occupational Intellectual

Emotional Wellness Promotes self awareness, relaxation, and development of emotional strengths. Allows people to learn and grow from experiences, both positive and negative Emotional well-being encourages autonomy and proper decision making skills, and is an important part of overall well-being. Allows you to accept how you are feeling leading to understanding the “why?”

Emotional Wellness Try to stay positive Seek or accept help and support from others when needed. Practice being mindful and aware of others. Accept mistakes and learn from them for next time. Mistakes are not terrible experiences; they are learning experiences. Balance your other dimensions of wellness

Environmental Wellness Being respectful of your surroundings, both natural and your own. The core idea here is respect: respect for others, respect for nature (and things living in it), respect for your surroundings both small and large. Begin to realize how your daily habits affect the spaces around you

Environmental Wellness Conserve energy when you can. Recycle. Volunteer with environmental organizations. Become aware of the Earth’s natural resources. Identify and understand the role of our natural resources. Spend time outside and boost your vitamin D at the same time!

Social wellness Refers to the relationships we have with others and how we interact with them. Working on building healthy, supportive relationships as well as building connections with those around you (networking). Enables you to create boundaries that encourage communication, trust and conflict management.

Social wellness Reflect on yourself and your social needs. What aspects of your social life do you enjoy? What parts would you like to improve? Make an effort to keep in touch with supportive friends and family. Practice self-disclosure. Participate in group discussions and practice active listening. Join a club or organization.

Spiritual Wellness Lets people find meaning in life events and defines our individual purpose. Can be defined through various factors: religious faith, values, ethics, and morals. There is always something to be learned about how you see yourself in the world. Allows you to appreciate your life experiences for what they are. Allows you to achieve greater balance.

Spiritual Wellness Build “inner resources” and “inner thoughts” in order to give meaning to experiences. Many routes available, many levels of structure. Look for one that agrees with you. Practice self reflection. Practice acceptance. Be curious, take time to explore things.

Financial Wellness Learning how to manage financial expenses. Can promote solutions to financially stressful situations. Leads to greater independence.

Financial Wellness Don’t put off possible issues- catch and resolve them before they become problems. Keep organized financial records. Students get discounts! Plan ahead, set budget goals. Balance other wellness areas, some tie in to financial wellness.

Physical Wellness Promotes care for our bodies for optimal health and function. Includes balance of: Physical activity Nutrition Mental well-being. Allows you to better identify elements you are successful in as well as those needing improvement.

Physical Wellness Physical Activity: important for keeping body in top condition Benefits include stronger muscles and bones, reduced disease risks, more energy. Nutrition: Helps fuel the body with both energy and building blocks. Helps prevent illness and keeps body functioning well. Mental well-being: important for overall emotional wellness. Maintaining adequate physical activity and nutrition improves mental well-being. Leads to sharpened thinking./learning abilities as well as greater self esteem and self control.

Physical Wellness Gain understanding of how your body performs physically, then connect that to how you feel mentally. Recommended min daily activity is 30 mins per day (can be broken up). Use stairs, park farther away, walk whenever possible. Recognize body’s warning signs of illness. Eat a variety of healthy foods Regular sleep schedule; 7-9 hrs

Occupational Wellness Inspires us to prepare for work in which we will gain personal satisfaction and find enrichment in our life. Allows you to explore various career options, encourages you to pursue opportunities you enjoy. Three important factors are satisfaction, enrichment, and meaning through work. Allows development of conflict management. The way you feel about your work contributes to your overall well-being.

Occupational Wellness Reflect on yourself and your occupational needs. What do you enjoy? What occupational tasks do you find burdensome? Explore both paid and un-paid work and volunteer opportunities that interest you. Practice open communication and proper conflict management with your colleagues. Set realistic career goals for yourself, work towards accomplishing these goals.

Intellectual Wellness Encourages us to engage in creative and mentally stimulating activities. Can be developed through academics, cultural/community involvement, and personal hobbies. Encourages exploring new ideas and understandings.

Intellectual Wellness Be open-minded. Practice active listening to fully comprehend the information that is being given to you. Pick up a hobby. Hobbies are great ways to increase your skill sets. Travel. The best way to gain knowledge as well as an appreciation for another culture is to experience it yourself. Express your creative side by exploring different avenues of creativity and artistic expressions.

Take away. . . Find what areas you are stronger in, learn to use them to their fullest. Identify what areas you may be weaker in, learn to incorporate them more into your life. Small steps are okay. Set manageable goals for yourself and gain confidence, then run from there.