Six Dimensions of Wellness

Physical A perception and expectation of physical health A perception and expectation of physical health You can sleep. You can sleep. You eat well. You eat well. You get some exercise. You get some exercise. You’re mostly free from colds, flu, rashes, aches and pains. You’re mostly free from colds, flu, rashes, aches and pains.

Spiritual A positive perception of meaning and purpose in life. A positive perception of meaning and purpose in life. Many people associate the spiritual with the religious, but that’s not a necessary assumption Many people associate the spiritual with the religious, but that’s not a necessary assumption For students, for example, their spiritual health might be dependent on their being convinced that college is necessary to their life’s goals, that success in college is a useful and meaningful stage in life. For students, for example, their spiritual health might be dependent on their being convinced that college is necessary to their life’s goals, that success in college is a useful and meaningful stage in life.

Occupational A general expectation that one will experience positive outcomes to the events and circumstances of life. A general expectation that one will experience positive outcomes to the events and circumstances of life. When you’re finished here, you’ll make the kind of money you want. When you’re finished here, you’ll make the kind of money you want. You’ll find satisfaction and fulfillment in your chosen career. You’ll find satisfaction and fulfillment in your chosen career. You’ll be motivated internally to continue to grow in your field. You’ll be motivated internally to continue to grow in your field.

Social Wellness A perception of having support available from family, friends, or co-workers in times of need, and a perception of being a valued supporter of others. A perception of having support available from family, friends, or co-workers in times of need, and a perception of being a valued supporter of others. All of us need to have fun, be loved and liked. All of us need to have fun, be loved and liked. We like to be needed, occasionally, by others. We like to be needed, occasionally, by others. Even though we might love our work, we also need time to balance that with relaxation, vacation, other kinds of stimulation. Even though we might love our work, we also need time to balance that with relaxation, vacation, other kinds of stimulation.

Emotional Possession of a secure self-identity and a positive sense of self-regard. The ability to cope with and/or improve on unpleasant moods. Possession of a secure self-identity and a positive sense of self-regard. The ability to cope with and/or improve on unpleasant moods. Dealing well with stress. Dealing well with stress. Overcoming sadness, loneliness. Overcoming sadness, loneliness. Trusting yourself and others. Trusting yourself and others. Being in control of yourself. Being in control of yourself. Flexibility, going with the flow. Flexibility, going with the flow.

Intellectual The perception of being internally energized by an optimal amount of intellectually stimulating activity. The perception of being internally energized by an optimal amount of intellectually stimulating activity. Use it or lose it. Use it or lose it. Growing/glowing Growing/glowing

Wellness as a Rubik’s cube We all need to maintain a maximum amount of wellness in each category. We all need to maintain a maximum amount of wellness in each category. But, everybody has different priorities. Which one is most important to you? (Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.) But, everybody has different priorities. Which one is most important to you? (Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.) Groups Groups What would be a sign of trouble in this dimension? What would be a sign of trouble in this dimension? How can you stay healthy in this dimension? How can you stay healthy in this dimension?

College Stress What kinds of stress do you expect in College that you didn’t experience before? What kinds of stress do you expect in College that you didn’t experience before?