Many people have different definitions of wellness. You want people to make the most of their wellness journey.
Wellness is about optimal living. You can apply wellness to almost any human endeavor. This is why wellness, as it was originally conceived and designed, can be applied in almost every human endeavor.
Choosing Wellness Wisely is a program that helps individuals and businesses to find potential wellness strategies based upon value. Multiple dimensions can be used to promote wellness within the broad topic of wellness.
Each individual is unique so CWW is meant to be indicative and not prescriptive. It is important to examine specific interventions within each dimension once potential dimensions have been identified.
Wellness has always been seen as a multi-dimensional concept. Each dimension is important for wellness, and all dimensions are interrelated. Each element is dependent on the other.
Although the names and dimensions of different models of wellness may vary, the National Wellness Institute’s well known wellness model has six dimensions.
* Physical – This dimension is concerned with physical health. This dimension includes the ability to have enough mental and physical energy to perform important life activities. The physical dimension covers topics such as nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and effective use of the healthcare system. Personal responsibility is also part of the physical dimension.
* Social – This refers to building strong relationships. It also includes socialization-related practices at all levels, including individual, group, and community. Humans are social creatures and need to belong. Wellness is built on interdependence, which means that people can give and receive support to make and sustain healthy changes.
Individually, giving and receiving love, peer support, and a wellness buddy can all help to increase accountability and motivate to continue the process or to get out of trouble. The social dimension is also applicable to the group level through team-related challenges and competitions. Support at the community level can be provided by environmental changes or supportive community practices at an cultural level.
* Intellectual – This dimension acknowledges that the mind is one entity and the body is another. They are one. The intellectual dimension is also known for its creative and innovative problem solving, brain health and stimulating mental activities. This dimension also includes critical thinking and lifelong learning. Intellectual stimulation and growth are two of the most important aspects of a well-rounded person.
* Spiritual – The spiritual dimension does not refer to religious dogma. It is about the search for meaning and purpose in work and life. All of us need to believe in something bigger than ourselves. The spiritual dimension includes peaceful harmony between work and personal life. Spirituality is about developing a deep appreciation of the vastness and beauty of life and the natural forces that make up the universe. This dimension is about what meaning and purpose you attach your life to. Living authentically and on purpose are two key aspects of the overall wellness journey.
* Occupational – The occupational dimension can also refer to the career dimension. Personally, I like the term occupational dimension because it acknowledges that not all work is a career. This dimension focuses on personal fulfillment and enrichment, as well as finding meaning and purpose through work. Occupational development is a key component of this dimension. This includes an emphasis on one’s attitude towards work and the specific skills and knowledge required to do one’s job well. Occupational wellness means bringing one’s unique talents, strengths, and skills to work to make work meaningful, rewarding, and purposeful. The occupational dimension includes important components such as job satisfaction, career choice, career ambition, personal performance, and career choice.
* Emotional – The emotional dimension recognizes the interdependence of the mind and body. The emotional dimension is often overlooked in wellness. The emotional dimension encompasses values, beliefs, and emotions. All of these play an important role in wellness. The emotional dimension is essentially about the acceptance of values, beliefs, and emotions in the pursuit of wellness and personal change.
Emotional wellbeing is the ability to recognize, acknowledge, express, and manage one’s emotions and values. Emotional wellness should be about being positive and managing one’s emotions, values, and beliefs through one’s behavior. Being able to accept a variety of beliefs, values and emotions from others is an important part of emotional wellness.
The emotional dimension is about the vital role that the Self plays in our wellness. It recognizes the many benefits associated with a better view of one’s self, including self-esteem and self-control.
Wellness is an amazing journey. Choosing Wellness Wisely could play a significant role in it and greatly contribute to its success.
