When you think of the word ‘wellness’ or ‘wellbeing,’ what comes to mind? Maybe you think about diet and exercise. Or maybe you imagine going to the spa or meeting up with friends for dinner.
Wellness is a pretty vague term, and it can mean different things to different people. Although we mostly think of wellness in terms of our emotional and physical health, it actually encompasses six interconnected dimensions. These are the social, intellectual, occupational, physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. Together, they contribute to a person’s sense of overall wellbeing and fulfillment.
Viewing wellness in a holistic way, as opposed to only in the ways that we’re familiar with, gives us a broader perspective and creates a path for a more balanced lifestyle.
Let’s talk about the six dimensions of wellness and what we can to address each one.
The 6 dimensions of wellness
1. Emotional
Emotional wellness is related to how well we are able to recognize our emotions, deal with stress, and address our overall mental health needs.
This is the category of wellness we often pay attention to the most because it recognizes the effects of stress on our wellbeing. And, as we know, being a working mom means dealing with a fair amount of stress.
Being emotionally well means that we’re able to maintain a generally good outlook and handle life’s challenges in a positive way, despite the stress that comes with our varying roles.
We can improve our emotional wellness through:
- Journaling and self reflection
- Practicing self-care
- Meditating
- Practicing gratitude
- Recognizing and accepting our own and other’s feelings
- Seeking help from a professional when needed
2. Physical
The physical dimension of wellness addresses the things we usually associate with health – diet, exercise, movement, and sleep.
Having good physical wellness is not about being at the pinnacle of fitness, but about optimizing our physical health. We don’t have to be in tip-top shape to be physically well, but we do have to pay attention to our bodies and what we put into them. Over time, paying attention to our physical wellbeing teaches us how our bodies work and react to what we eat and the things we do.
Plus, it just feels great to exercise and eat well, and it helps us manage stress and feel more confident.
— J. Stanford
We can improve our physical wellness by:
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Getting enough sleep every night
- Exercising regularly
- Stretching
- Staying up to date with shots and immunizations
- Going to the doctor when needed
- Avoiding the bad stuff like drinking, drugs, and smoking
3. Occupational
Occupational wellness refers to the satisfaction we get from our jobs or workplaces. 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 positive work environment can have a huge impact on our overall well being. The opposite can be said about a toxic work environment – it can have significant consequences on our emotional health and happiness.
We can improve our occupational wellness by:
- Finding meaning in our work
- Maintaining good relationships with our colleagues and leaders
- Being a positive influence on others
- Setting up an ergonomic workstation
- Decluttering our spaces
- Minimizing workplace hazards
- Managing our finances
- Exploring the resources offered by our jobs
- Adjusting our schedule to promote work life balance
- Incorporating self-care techniques at work to manage stress
4. Intellectual
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.
This can be achieved by engaging in a new hobby, staying up to date on a particular topic, or even starting a blog about something you’re passionate about 🙂
We can improve our 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 our field
- Exploring new topics and interests
- Joining a community of learners
5. Social
Healthy relationships, an appreciation of nature, and an understanding of our importance within our communities contribute to social wellness. You matter in the world and you are connected to it!
For my fellow introverts our there – relationships and social wellbeing are not necessarily about the number of connections we have (thank goodness), but their strength. With the rise of social media and hundreds of “friends” on our profiles, this point is more relevant than ever.
We can improve our social wellness by:
- Going out and talking with good friends and family
- Strengthening our current relationships
- Connecting with others who have shared interests
- Volunteering or contributing to our communities
- Appreciating nature and the environment
6. Spiritual
Spiritual wellness is about the connection we feel to a higher purpose or meaning in life, and the appreciation of natural forces that exist beyond what we can see.
It doesn’t just mean being religious. It’s about exploring our beliefs, finding meaning in our existence, and acting in accordance with what we believe.
We can improve our sense of spiritual wellness by:
- Going to a place of worship
- Reading religious books
- Being tolerant of others’ worldviews
- Exploring our own belief systems and our connection to a higher purpose
- Living life authentically and in accordance with our beliefs
Achieving holistic wellbeing
Okay, so now that we know that wellness is more multidimensional than meditation and exercise, what now? How do we address each dimension to achieve a sense of wellbeing and satisfaction in life?
First, it’s important to recognize that achieving holistic wellbeing isn’t a test for us to complete in as little time as possible. It’s about the journey, and the small, consistent steps we take.
For the working mom, it’s not an impossible goal. Yes, our lives can be hectic and unpredictable at times, but we can get there if we take manageable, realistic steps.
So, prioritize your needs and focus on one thing at a time. Do things in small chunks – 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there – and pour into your own cup intentionally and slowly.
We might not be able to sleep eight hours at night and do self-care and read a new book and exercise for thirty minutes all in a day – honestly, that’ll probably only cause more stress. But we can strive towards living a more balanced and fulfilled life, one dimension at a time.
Sources
Hettler, Bill. The Six Dimensions of Wellness Model. 1976.
“The Six Dimensions of Wellness – National Wellness Institute.” Members.nationalwellness.org, members.nationalwellness.org/page/Six_Dimensions.
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