by Sarah Wilczynski

When considering wellness, topics like our physical health, diet, and mental health are common things people think about. But what many people don’t realize is that eight dimensions of wellness come into play when evaluating our overall health. To celebrate National Wellness Month in August, we are going to explore these eight dimensions of wellness.

Physical: This is the dimension most people are familiar with. It includes doing things to keep your body healthy and working properly. These include things such as physical activity, washing your hands, getting proper sleep, following a balanced diet, and attending routine doctor appointments. It is important to note that the absence of illness doesn’t necessarily mean someone is physically healthy. This dimension is about discovering and creating habits that help you feel better.

Intellectual: In this dimension, the focus is on learning every day and engaging in things that challenge us intellectually. This can happen in and out of a classroom setting and involve activities like playing cards or board games, having an in-depth conversation, exploring new ideas, or trying something new. Each of these can help you expand your knowledge and skill.

Emotional: This wellness dimension focuses on your ability to identify and cope with your emotions, including self-esteem and self-acceptance. These are areas you can grow in and work on over the course of your lifetime.

Social: As humans, we thrive on social connections. These include healthy relationships with others and our communities, and relationships that can help you feel safe, supported, and cared for. Overall, social wellness leads to more inclusive spaces and increased community engagement.

Spiritual: Spiritual wellness is about finding purpose, value, and meaning in your life. This can happen within or outside of a religious environment and includes participating in activities that align with your beliefs and values.  

Occupational/Vocational: This dimension is about knowing your passions, values, skillsets, and beliefs and then planning how to turn those into work that provides personal satisfaction and enrichment. It also places emphasis on striving for a balance between your occupation and the other areas of wellness.

Financial: This involves learning to live within your means, setting short- and long-term financial goals, and making informed financial decisions. Part of the financial dimension includes acknowledging that everyone’s financial values and goals are unique.

Environmental: Achieving environmental wellness involves focusing on how to live in a way that is respectful of our surroundings. This includes recognizing our impact on air, water, and soil quality and that the environment we create can have an impact on our other areas of well-being.

By now you may have noticed that the dimensions of wellness are interconnected. It is important to find a balance between them and acknowledge that different dimensions may take priority at different times. While making changes within any dimension can be challenging, any work to improve your wellness can make a positive difference.

To find groups, organizations, or options for improving an area of wellness, check out One Big Connection at onebigconnection.org.

This column is sponsored by the Stockbridge Area Wellness Coalition (SAWC). Sarah Wilczynski is a SAWC Board Member.