There have been attempts to categorize the many dimensions of health. Before settling on our own breakdown we should learn what’s already being considered. We’ll advance the world of health education by standing on the shoulders of giants.
Wellness is much more than merely physical health, exercise or nutrition. It is the full integration of these seven dimensions act and interact in a way that contributes to our own quality of life.
1. Mental / Intellectual
– Open and curious mind, continued pursuit of knowledge, autodidacticism
– Critical thinking, problem solving
– Creative expression, Innovation
– Reading and writing
– Ability to interpret and articulate your thoughts
– Awareness of current events
– Sense of humor
2. Physical
– Strength, endurance and flexibility
– Diet and nutrition, weight management
– Sleep and rest
– Managing stress and fatigue
– Sexual behavior
– Substance use/abuse
– Regular medical and dental checkups
– Hygiene
3. Emotional
– Self-awareness and acceptance, monitoring and exploring thoughts and feelings, identifying obstacles and finding solutions
– Trust, self-esteem, self-acceptance, self-confidence, self-control, resilience
– Coping, stress management and relaxation
– Sharing anger, fear, sadness and stress in a productive manner
– Sharing hope, love, joy and happiness in a productive manner
– Management of depression, phobia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, neurosis and other disorders
4. Social / Political
– Social skills, communication and listening, empathy and compassion, ability to relate and connect
– Create and sustain meaningful interpersonal relationships, support network
– Positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers
– Tolerance, fairness and justice, compromise and trust
– Fun and leisure, rejuvenation, recharge psyche, invigorate spirit, encourage
– Concern for community welfare
5. Spiritual
– Beliefs, principles or values that give meaning and purpose to your life
– Congruency between values and actions, common binding purpose
– Appreciation for life, sense of purpose, inspiration and motivation, hope and optimism
– Capacity for love, compassion, forgiveness, altruism, and fulfillment
– Mindfulness, peace and harmony
– Respectful co-existence with other beliefs, celebration of commonalities
– Meditation, religion, music, art, literature, nature and through connections with loved ones and other people in the community
– Questioning existence, connecting with people and animals in meaningful ways, developing relationships of faith, sharing one’s beliefs, and exchanging energy through thought and deed with other entities within the Universe
6. Occupational / Vocational / Financial
– Balance of work and leisure
– Consideration of different interpretations of success
– Vocational satisfaction , Fulfillment and personal satisfaction in life through your job/career, passion for work
– Ability to identify your skills, abilities, and interests in order to incorporate them into your life’s work, Set goals and plan ways of obtaining those goals
– Willingness to continually learn and explore many career options keeps you flexible and able to respond to different economic cycles
7. Environmental / Planetary / Global
– Creating your space, maximizing usability and healthful function of work and play places, surrounding yourself with rejuvenating, comforting, affirming, refreshing, and revitalizing places and people
– Cultivating appreciation for beauty in nature, acknowledging the interdependence between man and the earth and other living beings
– Improving the standard of living and quality of health in our environment, Protection of resources, Improving state of food and water supply, infectious diseases, violence in society, ultraviolet radiation, air and water pollution,and second hand tobacco smoke
– Enhancement of safety, Management of exposure to toxic chemicals, radiation, biological agents, electromagnetic radiation, noise, air and water pollution, tobacco smoke, climate change, food safety, waste disposal, hazardous materials and vector control
Resources:
Ball State University
Franklin Pierce
University of California, Riverside
Link to: The Three Dimensions of Wellness
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