Being overwhelmed and stressed seem to be all too common feelings these days. There’s so much going on that it seems impossible to achieve peace of mind. Unfortunately, most of these distractions stand in the way of personal wellness, which is the state of being in, and striving for, good health.
Most people associate wellness with physical and mental well-being, but did you know that there are, in fact, seven dimensions of wellness? These include social, emotional, environmental, intellectual, spiritual, physical and occupational. Wellness is the pursuit of continued growth and balance within these seven dimensions. It’s this journey of integrating one’s physical, mental, and spiritual well-being that leads to quality of life. Each dimension affects and overlaps with others, and while some may take more prominent roles at times, neglecting any of these for a prolonged period of time will have you feeling less than your personal best. Let’s take a closer look at each of these dimensions and how each one contributes to the overall synergy of good health.
Click to tweet: Did you know that there are seven dimensions of #wellness? @taftcomms Senior Director and employee engagement lead Lydia Blandon shares tips on how to nurture professional and personal balance. https://ctt.ac/U17bk+ #worklifebalance
Social
Social wellness refers to our ability to interact successfully in the global community and to live up to the expectations and demands of our personal roles. Contributing to one’s local community and to the world simultaneously builds a sense of connection and belonging, which ultimately leads to greater levels of happiness. Communicating thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and sharing one’s talents and skills through volunteerism highlight the importance of meaningful contribution which helps cultivate a richer network of family and friends.
Emotional
Emotions are signals from the brain and body to your conscious mind that indicate how certain situations and stimuli make you feel. Expressing your emotions helps you to recognize and deal with them, leading to a clearer frame of mind and better overall happiness. Furthermore, creating a workplace environment where people feel safe and comfortable sharing how they feel is paramount and a key factor related to higher levels of employee engagement.
Environmental
Environmental wellness is being aware of nature, the environment, and the effects our daily habits have on the physical environment. This mindset asks each of us to be conscious of air, water, and land quality, and take action to protect it. Now more than ever, it’s vitally important that we all do our part to help make this world a better place. Improving the planet and the lives of others also enhance one’s personal outlook and feelings of well-being.
Intellectual
This is the notion that creative and stimulating mental activities open our minds to new ideas and experiences, which can ultimately benefit our personal and professional lives. It’s key to expand our knowledge by taking advantage of the many different resources available through our professional careers, cultural involvement, and hobbies. Intellectually well individuals have a desire to learn and apply new concepts, improve their existing skill sets, and seek new challenges with a goal of targeting lifelong learning habits.
Spiritual
While not necessarily tied to any dogma or religion, spiritual wellness is the notion that we can establish peace and harmony in our lives and be fulfilled by what we do by aligning our values with our actions. A spiritual person maximizes harmony between themselves and their beliefs. By appreciating the outside world, taking time to think calmly, and acting in congruence with your principles, you’ll become much more spiritually aware and internally peaceful.
Physical
Physical wellness is one of the most-addressed dimensions of wellness in the workplace and encompasses a variety of healthy behaviors including adequate exercise, proper nutrition, and abstaining from harmful habits such as drug use and alcohol abuse. It means learning about and identifying symptoms of disease, getting regular medical checkups, and protecting oneself from injuries and harm. Plus, physical activity does more than keep our bodies in shape. It can help with memory and overall cognitive performance as well.
Occupational
This dimension is a leading factor and determinant of good health due to the fact that most people spend in excess of 40 hours per week working. Workplaces that encourage people to be themselves and showcase their unique talents and skill sets are critical for employees to flourish. People want to feel fulfilled with their chosen career path without sacrificing work-life balance, and continuously seek meaningful ways to align passion with purpose.
Now that we’ve learned a bit more about the different dimensions of wellness, how can we apply these learnings to nurture more balance in our everyday lives? Experts agree that self-care is an important tool for reducing stress and improving overall well-being. Here are a few suggestions that don’t require much time or effort, and can easily be incorporated into a hectic day:
- Drink water
- Eat a healthy snack
- Step outside and breathe some fresh air
- Sit in the sunlight
- Make a soothing cup of tea
- Turn up the music and dance
- Read a joyful short story each morning
- Listen to an uplifting podcast
- Look at photos of cute animals
- Meditate/spend time coloring
- Give someone a hug
A well-balanced life is essential for personal and professional effectiveness, peace of mind, and living well. Maintaining a healthy life balance is not only essential for happiness and well-being; it can be a tremendous boost to your productivity and career or business success as well.
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