There are nine dimensions of wellness. All are interrelated and equally important for the pursuit of optimum health and happiness. When you understand the true meaning and value of every dimension and try to optimize it, only then can you achieve complete wellbeing.
Every year brings new trends and health crazes. Through it all, one world has proven to be the most impactful on health. This is the world of wellness. We keep hearing, here and there, people talking about wellness and how they are trying to make changes to their lives to be healthier. Some associate wellness to a certain dietary lifestyle, while others believe it is a meditation practice. But, what is wellness and how do we achieve it?
Every year brings new trends and health crazes. Through it all, one world has proven to be the most impactful on health. This is the world of wellness. We keep hearing, here and there, people talking about wellness and how they are trying to make changes to their lives to be healthier. Some associate wellness to a certain dietary lifestyle, while others believe it is a meditation practice. But, what is wellness and how do we achieve it?
As explained by the University of California in Davis, wellness is the process of being aware and understanding what lifestyle to adopt, to achieve a long healthy life (1). It is not a one-time diet, a temporary exercising routine, or a few pills taken every once in a while. Wellness, with its multidimensions, is a complete realm by itself.
The World Health Organization defines wellness as a state of complete wellbeing: physically, mentally, and socially. It adds to the definition one more idea: being well does not mean that you are not ill. So, a person who has no sickness is not necessarily well. The National Wellness Institute, on the other hand, explains further by stating that a well individual is one who is conscious, evolving, and successful in achieving full potential.
Wellness matters. To have a good quality of life, live long years, and be happy; you must feel well. Wellbeing is involved in all aspects of your life. It affects your actions, your emotions, your thoughts, your work, and your social interactions. When one aspect is dysfunctional, the others will suffer.
There are nine dimensions of wellness. All are interrelated and equally important for the pursuit of optimum health and happiness. When you understand the true meaning and value of every dimension and try to optimize it, only then can you achieve complete wellbeing.
It all begins with a healthy home. Everyone dreams of it; but, very few know what it refers to. Your home is as healthy as the materials, design, and processes used to build it, its air, floors, paint, walls, and furniture. What products you use can either help build up toxins or prevent it. There are five principles for a healthy home (2).
You achieve spiritual wellness when you have a meaning and purpose to your life. It is reflected by your choices that represent what you believe in and value the most. This dimension of wellness is in the abstract. It is not measured or tested; but, it brings peace and meaning to your life. It could include religious faith, beliefs, values, ethics, principles and even morals. Your spiritual wellbeing can be maintained by meditation, yoga, breathings, labyrinths, and mandalas (3).
You are well, physically, when you take care of your body properly and help it function as it should. This includes balancing physical activity, nutrition and mental wellbeing. To understand the basics of this wellness dimension, you must understand how your body works. Your organs, both internal and external, are in charge of maintaining your physical wellbeing. Your energy levels help charge these organs with the adequate amount necessary for a proper functioning. So, all you will need to do is eat a well-balanced diet, workout regularly, sleep early and get a yearly physical to keep an eye on your body’s performance.
When you are aware of your emotions, understand and accept them while being able to manage them effectively, you are at your optimal emotional wellbeing. When you are emotionally healthy, this does not mean that you have to be happy all the time; but rather, that you are able to slow down from time to time to practice mindfulness. Life is filled with challenges and problems. When you know how to cope and deal with these issues, you would have achieved good emotional health. Think of it as looking at the glass half full, instead of half empty.
When you are doing exactly what you want in life, are satisfied with it, and able to balance between work and leisure, you are in complete occupational wellness. That’s when you feel motivated and interested in your tasks, are working hard and enjoying your personal life at the same time, communicating and collaborating with your peers and feeling inspired and challenged at work (4).
This dimension is reflected when you are working well and able to meet minimal financial stress while establishing a strong foundation in the presence of a successful future financial goal. In other words, you are making enough money to support your needs and are managing your finances properly. This kind of wellbeing lowers stress levels that most people face when in a financial crisis. It is an essential part of your life that can have a negative effect on all other dimensions.
Being intellectually well means that you are engaging in creative activities that are stimulating your mental functions. In that case, you are able to expand your knowledge while effectively using resources around you. You can sign up for additional courses, be involved in cultural happenings, get engaged in your community and build personal hobbies.
Social wellness is a very important dimension of wellbeing that refers to your interaction with others. When people face difficult moments in life, it is their relationships that offer some kind of support. There are three pillars for social wellbeing: communication, healthy relationships and stress management. Remember, social wellness should not include bad habits that you might believe are a sign of social acceptance, like drinking, drugs and smoking (5).
We do not exist as lonely beings, we are a part of a whole world. The way we live our life in harmony with this world determines our environmental wellness. This dimension is at its optimal when you know how to be environmentally friendly and conscientious, protect yourself and others, reduce the use of toxic chemicals like pesticides and pollutants, and take the appropriate actions to benefit the future generations.
Every one of these dimensions is essential for maintaining optimal health and a positive long life. They are all equal in importance and should be well understood to be maintained. How well are you balancing your wellness dimensions?
There are nine dimensions of wellness. All are interrelated and equally important for the pursuit of optimum health and happiness. When you understand the true meaning and value of every dimension and try to optimize it, only then can you achieve complete wellbeing.
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