The wellness wheel is a tool that we can use to assess health in all dimensions. A common misconception about health is that it is based solely on physical fitness. Personal health is more complicated than that! The eight dimensions of the wellness wheel are emotional, physical, occupational, social, spiritual, intellectual, environmental, and financial and they are all connected. Reflecting on health in all eight of these categories can help us self-assess, set goals, and create a plan to live our best lives possible.
The emotional dimension of wellness is focused on your emotional ability to cope and adapt to changes in life in a healthy way. Life is always changing and evolving, and being able to handle these changes successfully, positive or negative, is important for health and wellness.
Physical wellness is what most people think about when it comes to being healthy. Physical wellness refers to anything that helps you maintain a healthy body. This includes many different things like eating well, staying active, preventing illness, managing your weight, getting good sleep, staying hydrated, and more!
Occupational wellness refers to the level of satisfaction or success that you personally feel associated with your chosen career, and how safe and comfortable you feel in your work environment. Work is often a big part of our lives, so feeling supported and satisfied within your occupation is so important!
Social wellness is all about having good relationships, being part of your community, understanding different cultures, and handling social media wisely to avoid loneliness. It includes things like resolving conflicts, setting boundaries, and communicating openly in relationships. Feeling supported and supporting others in your community are crucial for your overall well-being!
Spiritual wellness is about self-awareness, finding purpose and meaning within your life, and connecting with something greater than yourself, whether it’s spiritual, nature, or societal. It involves practices like meditation, gaining knowledge, and embracing gratitude and forgiveness. In essence, it’s a journey of self-discovery and connection with others.
Intellectual wellness is about ongoing learning and growth through challenging mental activities. Completing education, regular reading, tackling complex projects, and playing mind-challenging games contribute to it. Setting goals, like reading a book in two weeks or dedicating time to research, ensures ongoing intellectual challenge and prevents stagnation.
Environmental wellness covers a broad range of factors, including your immediate surroundings and the Earth. It involves aspects like living conditions, air quality, and relationships with those around you. If your environment lacks safety in terms of air, water, or waste management, or if your relationships are unhealthy, it can affect your overall wellness. Assess your comfort and safety in your environment for a better understanding of environmental wellness.
Financial wellness varies for everyone due to unique situations and goals. It involves aspects like budgeting, emergency funds, debt management, savings, financial literacy, income growth, and planning for estate or retirement. Each person has different financial goals and situations. Creating a budget tailored to your needs, family, and goals is challenging but essential for financial success and wellness.
Conducting self-reflection across the wellness categories can help identify areas needing attention or where you excel! Your overall well-being involves many crucial aspects, and crafting a personal wellness wheel can be a valuable tool to measure your success with whatever personal health goals you may have.