What are the 8 Dimensions of Wellness?
Emotional
Occupational
Physical
Social
Intellectual
Spiritual
Environmental
Financial
Why are they important?
If any of your dimensions are out of balance, especially for a period of time, you're likely going to feel "off." It is important to try to keep your unique wellness needs balanced in order to maintain optimal holistic wellness.
What are some ways to care for your 8 Dimensions of Wellness?
Before jumping into the examples, it is important to know two things:
The dimensions of wellness are not mutually exclusive. One example is that engaging in social activities (social) may also provide stress relief (emotional) and stimulating conversation (intellectual). You could similarly work out (physical) with a friend (social) and have the stress-relieving benefits (emotional) that come with exercise.
There are lots of ways to care for your wellness. Below are some examples of how you can care for your dimensions of wellness, but they are certainly not the only things you can do.
Emotional
Manage stress
Practice self-care
Use coping skills and positive self-talk
Talk it out with someone
Take time for yourself
Seek therapy or medication, if needed
Occupational
Set goals
Create lists
Manage your time
Establish a routine
Set and respect work/life boundaries
Find a meaningful job or career
Work toward your next occupational step
Physical
Exercise or join a sport/team
Eat well
Get enough sleep
Have routine health checkups
Take medication or supplements as needed
Avoid or decrease substance use
Social
Set healthy boundaries
Use assertive communication
Spend time with family and friends
Join a club or organization
Do something fun
Utilize social support system
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
Stay connected
Intellectual
Read a book
Watch a documentary
Have a stimulating conversation
Learn something new
Play an intellectually challenging game
Spiritual
Make time for prayer or quiet contemplation
Engage in mindfulness, meditation, or relaxation techniques
Connect with yourself and/or nature
Engage with your religious or spiritual group
Explore your values, beliefs, and life's purpose
Environmental
Clean up your space
De-clutter
Redecorate
Change your scenery (e.g., go outside)
Plant a garden
Financial
Make a budget
Meet with an accountant
Set up a retirement fund
Avoid unnecessary expenses
Reduce debt
I hope this has helped you reflect more on your wellness and has given you ideas of how you'd like to improve your overall wellness.
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