Definition of wellness

What is wellness? There are a few definitions that are all similar but slightly different. My favorite is the following from dictionary.com

Wellness is not necessarily the absence of disease or illness but a multidimensional approach of healthy habits that improve physical and emotional health.

Wellness alone is a very broad and somewhat vague term, but there are several dimensions that individually and collectively can improve one’s wellness. There are differing opinions on how many dimensions contribute to wellness, some say 5 and others up to as many as 12.

We’ve chosen 8 dimensions of wellness that we think are most important and have given a bit of an explainer on each of them below.

Wellness dimensions

Physical

Physical wellness is taking care of your body so you can complete daily activities without fatigue or physical stress. It is also listening to your body and doing what you can to help strengthen it so you are operating at your best.

Ways to improve physical wellness:

Physical activity – Aim for 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercise per week, or a combination of both. If that is too much for you then start small and slowly build up when you are ready. It could be 20 minutes of moderate intensity 3 times per week and then increase the number of days per week or the amount of time each session. Exercise has also been shown to improve mood and increase energy.

Sleep – Keeping a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and getting up at the same time each day and getting 7 to 9 hours sleep per night.

Emotional

Emotional wellness includes the awareness and acceptance of feelings in yourself and others, expressing your feelings and being able to adapt to change and coping with stress.

Ways to improve emotional wellness:

Relaxation – Find a relaxation method that works for you to help cope with and reduce stress. It could be breathing exercises, meditation, yoga or tai chi.

Enjoy yourself – Make time every day to do something that you enjoy and do only because you enjoy it. It could be watching a funny movie, listening to music, arts and crafts, relaxing bath, dance, playing an instrument, gardening.

Intellectual

Intellectual wellness relates to mental stimulation and involves the ability to keep an open mind to new ideas, concepts and experiences. It is also recognizing your creative abilities and expanding on these as well as expanding your knowledge and improving skills.

Ways to improve intellectual wellness:

Learn something – Is there a skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to try and to master, start trying it out. It could be cooking, playing an instrument, sport, a language or art or crafts.

Reading – Reading or listening to a podcast will expand your knowledge and get you thinking about things you may not normally or in a different way. Start by trying to replace watching tv one day a week with this.

Spiritual

For some people spiritual wellness is about religion, it is also about understanding your life’s purpose and having meaning to your life. It’s about having beliefs, morals and values that you live your life by.

Ways to improve spiritual wellness:

Contemplation – Quiet contemplation or journaling can help to clear your mind, build awareness of your feelings create more clarity. It can also help to see if your actions and reactions are in line with your beliefs, morals and values.

Meditate – Meditation can also help to create clarity in your mind and can also help increase self-awareness.

Environmental

There are differing opinions on what environmental wellness encompasses. Some say it is creating clean, healthy and safe environments (i.e., avoiding illness or injury’s at home or work) Others say it is more about taking actions to help protect and sustain the planet and live in harmony with it. It can also be a combination of both of these ideas.

Ways to improve environmental wellness:

At home – Opening doors and windows when possible to breath fresh air. Try and get rid of clutter and things you no longer need.

Away from home – Walk, bike or use public transport where you can. Try to not use single use plastic and use reusable shopping bags.

Financial

Financial wellbeing is not having lots of money but being free from stress about your finances. It is comfortably paying all your bills and expenses without living from pay check to pay check, if you have debt then having that under control and having some savings to be able to cover most types of emergencies.

Ways to improve financial wellness:

Track – Tracking your expenditure can show you where you’re spending, your money and may highlight some areas where you could reduce spending.

Goals – Whether it saving for a holiday or retirement, work out what you need to achieve your financial goals and work out a realistic plan to start achieving it.

Occupational

Occupational wellness refers to your feelings of purpose and productivity, levels of interest and motivation you get from your work. It also includes your ability to achieve a balance of your work and leisure time.

Ways to improve occupational wellness:

Goals – Set goals around what you would like your working life to look like, whether it’s a specific role, workplace or working conditions. Make a plan to start moving towards these goals and get extra training or upskill if necessary.

Positives – Look for the positives and benefits in your current job, also try to make better relationships with your co workers.

Social

Social wellness refers to the relationships we have with others and how we interact with others. It is about building healthy and meaningful relationships and connections with those around you.

Ways to improve social wellbeing:

Friendships – Maintain or building new friendships. Set regular dates to catch up with friends or family and keep it. Also look at friendships that may no longer be healthy for you and look at changing them.

Volunteer – Volunteering for a local organization will give you the chance to meet like minded people and you’ll be doing something good for your community and those around you.