What does the word wellness mean to you? Perhaps it means having good physical health – you eat well and exercise regularly. Maybe for some it means having a strong spiritual foundation, while others simply think of it as the absence of sickness.
The word ‘wellness’ is actually quite vague. It can mean different things to different people. What we can generally agree on is that what matters to your wellbeing may be completely different for someone else, and that wellness includes more than just diet and exercise. It’s having a sense of fulfillment and balance that allows us to live our best lives.
Wellness encompasses all aspects of a person’s life experiences.
Working moms mainly think of wellness in terms of their mental and physical health, as we typically deal with a lot of emotional stress trying to balance work and family, with not much time remaining for self care. But did you know that there are many more dimensions of wellness beyond the mental and emotional?
This includes the social, intellectual, occupational, physical, emotional, and spiritual realms. While many people pay particular attention to the physical aspect, the other areas are also important. It’s worth mentioning that being well doesn’t necessarily mean that you are in good health. You can be physically healthy and not well!
Why should you think about wellness in this way? I would argue that this holistic view of wellness gives you a broader perspective and deeper insight into other ways to improve your wellbeing. I think it also creates a path for a more balanced lifestyle.
Perhaps in between being a mom and working full time you have somehow figured out how to maintain a good diet, sleep well, and exercise regularly – but you still feel anxious and just not well. Could that feeling be related to stress at your job (occupational wellness) or lack of connection with friends and family (social wellness)?
Consider all dimensions of wellness to improve your overall wellbeing.
Physical Wellness
The physical dimension of wellness includes the things we usually associate with wellbeing – diet, exercise, and sleep. Having good physical wellness is not about being at the pinnacle of fitness, but about working towards optimizing your physical health. You can improve your physical wellness by:
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Getting a sufficient amount of sleep every night
- Exercising regularly
- Staying up to date with shots and immunizations
- Getting regular physicals at your doctor’s office
- Minimizing unhealthy behaviors like drinking and smoking
Intellectual Wellness
Intellectual wellness is related to the pursuit of knowledge, personal growth, and the pleasure we get from learning new things and sharing our gifts with others. You can improve your intellectual wellness by:
- Learning a new skill or language
- Learning about a new culture
- Reading books, articles, and magazines
- Staying up to date on the latest research in your field
- Exploring new topics and interests
Occupational Wellness
Occupational wellness refers to the satisfaction you get from your job or workplace. Are you doing work that is meaningful to you? Is it an inclusive and positive environment? Are the things that matter to you supported by your leaders? Every job has its stressful moments, but a generally positive work environment can have a huge impact on your overall well being. You can improve your occupational wellness by:
- Finding meaning in your work
- Maintaining good relationships with your colleagues and leaders
- Being a positive influence on others
- Setting up an ergonomic workstation and decluttering your space
- Minimizing workplace hazards
- Managing your finances
- Exploring the resources and perks offered by your job
- Adjusting your schedule to promote work life balance
Social Wellness
Healthy relationships, an appreciation of nature, and an understanding of your importance within your community help contribute to social wellness. It’s not necessarily about the number of connections you have, but rather, their strength. You can improve your sense of social wellness by:
- Going out and talking with friends and family
- Working to strengthen your current relationships
- Connecting with others who have shared interests
- Volunteering or contributing to your community
- Appreciating nature and the environment
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness is about the connection you feel to a higher purpose or meaning in life, and the appreciation of natural forces that exist beyond what we can see. Spiritual wellness doesn’t just mean being a religious person. It’s more about exploring your beliefs and finding meaning in your life. You can improve your sense of spiritual wellness by:
- Going to a place of worship
- Reading religious books
- Being tolerant of others’ worldviews
- Exploring your own belief systems and your connection to a higher purpose
- Living your life authentically
Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness is related to how well you are able to recognize your emotions, deal with stress, and address your overall mental health needs. Stress is a near constant for working moms who juggle work and family life every day – it’s no wonder this area tends to get a lot of attention in our circle. Being emotionally well means that you can maintain a good outlook on life and handle the inevitable challenges in a generally positive way. Some ways to improve your emotional wellness include:
- Journaling and self reflection
- Finding time for self care
- Meditating
- Seeking help from a professional when needed
- Practicing gratitude
- Recognizing and accepting your own and other’s feelings
Seek progress, not perfection.
As a working mom I simply do not have the time to socialize AND exercise AND sleep 8 hours a night AND do self care regularly. I’m lucky if I manage a couple of those things in a day. Even the thought of trying to fit all that into a day stresses me out – that’s the opposite of what we want! But that’s okay. We may not be able to do everything, nor would we want to, but we can focus on what’s important at the time.
Every dimension of wellness is connected to the other, and each one can have an impact on our overall well being. It’s a big picture, but we don’t have to take it all in all at once – that only leads to more stress! Prioritize your needs, and accept that things are fluid and can change. The goal is not to be perfect, but to strive towards living a more balanced and fulfilled life. Every step you take to improve your own wellbeing brings you closer to that goal.
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