The 4 Dimensions of Health PHE 8-10 = Physical, Mental, Social, Spiritual

Overview Defining ‘Wellness’ The 4 Dimensions of Health Characteristics of a ‘well’ individual

Definition of Wellness “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” The World Health Organization Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth

Why Wellness Matters Maintaining an optimal level of wellness is crucial to live a higher quality life Wellness matters because everything we do and every emotion we feel relates to our well-being Our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions  it’s an ongoing circle It is important for everyone to achieve optimal wellness in order to reduce stress, reduce the risk of illness and have positive interactions with others

The 4 Dimensions of Health Physical Mental Social Spiritual

The 4 Dimensions of Health Each dimension is equally important in the pursuit of optimal health One can reach an optimal level of health & wellness by understanding how to maintain and optimize each of the dimensions of health…

1. Physical Health

Physical Health Physical health relates to maintaining a healthy body and seeking care when needed Physical health is attained through exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and paying attention to the signs of illness and getting help when needed

Why Physical Health Matters It encourages us to take care of our bodies Getting enough physical activity Eating a healthy diet Getting enough sleep

The Path to Physical Wellness Get daily physical activity At least 60 minutes Eat a balanced diet of healthy foods Get between 7-9 hours of sleep a night Recognize warning signs when your body begins feeling ill Practice safe sex

2. Mental Health

Mental Health Mental health relates to understanding your feelings and coping effectively with stress It is important to pay attention to self-care, relaxation, stress reduction and the development of inner resources so you can learn and grow from experiences

Why Mental Health Matters Emotional wellness allows you to accept how you are feeling Once you accept your feelings, you can begin to understand why you are feeling that way, and decide how you would like to act in response to those feelings Being emotionally well grants you the power to express feelings without any constraints In turn, you will be able to enjoy emotional expression (expressing your emotions) and be capable of forming supportive and healthy relationships with others

The Path to Mental Wellness Seek or accept help and support from others you trust when needed “It’s okay to not be okay” Accept mistakes and learn from them for the next time “Mistakes are learning experiences” Express gratitude and stay positive Jack Ma, Rejection

3. Social Health

Social Wellness Social wellness helps you perform social roles effectively and comfortably, and create a support network This dimension of wellness allows you to not only develop encouraging relationships with peers, but also intimate relationships with romantic partners

Why Social Wellness Matters Maintaining an optimal level of social wellness allows you to build healthy relationships with others Having a supportive social network allows you to develop assertive skills and become comfortable with who you are in social situations Surrounding yourself with a positive social network increases your self-esteem Social wellness enables you to create boundaries that encourage communication, trust and conflict management

The Path to Social Wellness Make an effort to keep in touch with supportive friends and family Practice active listening Be a good listener Practice self-disclosure Open up about yourself to others you trust Reflect What aspects of your social life do you enjoy? What aspects of your social life would you like to change?

The Path to Social Wellness To what extent does social media affect our social wellness?

4. Spiritual Health

Spiritual Health Spiritual health allows you to develop a set of values that help you seek meaning and purpose Spirituality can be represented in many ways, for example, through relaxation or religion But being spiritually well means knowing which resources to use to cope with issues that come up in everyday life

Why Spiritual Health Matters… Spiritual wellness allows you to seek meaning and purpose in your life When you find meaning in your life experiences, you will be able to develop a harmony with your inner self and the outside world Les Brown – Chinese Bamboo Tree In simple terms, spiritual wellness grants you balance, patience, and persistence

The Path to Spiritual Wellness Take time to think about who you are If you experience a life-changing event, take a few minutes to think about what series of events led to this and what it can mean going forward Spend time meditating or practicing mindful relaxation Practice acceptance Be curious. If something happens that makes you even the slightest bit curious, take a moment to explore the experience a little deeper Consider a religious faith that you agree with

Overview Defining Wellness The 4 Dimensions of Health “A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” The 4 Dimensions of Health Physical, Mental, Social, & Spiritual Characteristics of a ‘well’ individual Focus on 1 or 2 dimensions? What happens if we ‘neglect’ at least 1 dimension?

The 4 Dimensions of Health Each dimension is equally important in the pursuit of optimal health – they are interconnected One can reach an optimal level of health & wellness by understanding how to maintain and optimize each of the dimensions of wellness…

Characteristics of a Well Individual Balance in all areas of life Respect for themselves and others Maintains and supports friendships Ability to laugh, cry, and feel Realistic sense of self, accepts limitations Can you think of other characteristics of wellness?

Healthy Behaviour-Change Techniques Decide in advance what the problem is Explore the alternatives Consider the consequences Identify your values Decide to take action Evaluate the effectiveness

Healthy Behaviour-Change Techniques: SMART Goal Setting Specific ex. I want to do 15 pushups in 60 seconds Measurable ex. at first I could do 5 pushups, but now I can currently do 10 in 60 seconds Adjustable ex. 15 pushups is now too easy, my new goal is 25 Realistic Don’t set yourself up for failure (ex. 150 pushups in 60 seconds is extremely difficult, stick to a reasonable number) Time-based Set your personal goal-date (I will do this by January 1st) Example: I will be able to do 20 pushups in 60 seconds by January 1st