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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. The 4 Dimensions of Health
Physical
Mental
Social
Spiritual

7. 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…

8. 1. Physical Health

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 2. Mental Health

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 3. Social Health

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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?

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

21. 4. Spiritual Health

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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?

27. 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…

28. 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?

29. 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

30. 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