What is Wellbeing?
Wellbeing is different for each individual, but
universally it incorporates a holistic approach focusing on
multiple dimensions that affect quality of life, which ultimately
leads to a more balanced, healthier and happier you. Wellbeing
wheels are often used to demonstrate the relationship between each
dimension. In order to be "well" each individual, must
actively strive to improve themselves within each dimension.
Emotional: the ability to recognize,
understand, experience and express a full range of emotions and
channel our emotions into healthy behaviors that satisfy our
personal and social goals.
Environmental: an awareness and appreciation of
the critical role the environment plays in our individual wellbeing
and that all human activity impacts the environment and can
jeopardize the environment's ability to provide essential services
needed to sustain life.
Financial: informed decision-making
and personal empowerment with information on how to
use credit wisely, save, invest, and plan for the future.
Intellectual: an active mind is
essential for overall wellness. Being open to new ideas,
thinking critically, being creative and curious, and being
motivated to master new skills are the keys to intellectual
wellness.
Occupational: achieving personal satisfaction
and enrichment in one's life through work and intentionally
choosing a career path, educational track or vocation that
supports our personal goals or passions.
Physical: achieving optimal wellness through
building physical strength, flexibility, endurance, and optimal
nutrition while also taking safety precautions, including medical
self-care and appropriate use of a medical system. Making healthy
lifestyle choices today will affect health and quality of life
tomorrow.
Social: the interaction and contributions to
the environment and the community. Satisfying relationships, having
support networks, participating and contributing to the community,
developing the capacity for intimacy and learning good
communication skills all contribute to a positive state of social
wellness.
Spiritual: finding meaning and purpose to life
is the basis of spiritual wellness. Spirituality is using a "world
view" in order to choose actions that are consistent with personal
beliefs and values.
