Written by Ren Monin, Staff Reporter
The concept of “wellness” has become increasingly prevalent in modern society. This very section of the Brackety-Ack includes the term in its name! Unfortunately, it can be difficult to define in simple terms what “wellness” actually means, as it can look different between individuals. However, health professionals have emphasized the importance of eight different “dimensions,” or types, of wellness that should be addressed holistically to achieve overall health. In this article, I will go over what each type of wellness is and a few ways to improve each!
The first dimension of wellness is physical. This may be the most intuitive answer as to what wellness entails, as it represents the actual functionality of your body itself. Physical wellness includes a consistent sleep schedule, a balanced diet, and frequent exercise.
The next wellness dimension is emotional. This includes what we would typically consider to be “mental health.” Strategies like journaling, deep breathing, and speaking with loved ones or certified professionals for help can dramatically increase your emotional wellness.
Then, we move to spiritual wellness. This can be tied to religious belief, but it is not inherently so. Spiritual wellness relates more to how you live your life and what your values are. Practicing spiritual wellness can look like prayer, meditation, or even just spending time thinking about the things that are important to you!
After that comes intellectual wellness. This dimension of wellness correlates thinking and learning with increased overall wellness. Learning a new skill, doing a puzzle, or reading something educational are ways of indulging in intellectual wellness.
The next dimension of wellness is environmental. The environment in question can be as grand scale as the great outdoors, or as simple as your desk! If focusing on your personal environment, a brief declutter session or addition of a plant to your space can greatly improve your wellness. Spending time outside is also a great way to recharge and get in touch with the environment!
Financial wellness helps improve all the other dimensions of wellness, since mindful financial practices can help reduce overall stress and anxiety. Simple actions like crafting a budget or opening a savings account can have a big impact!
Occupational wellness, the next dimension of wellness, seems to me like it connects somewhat to spiritual wellness, but in a more practical sense. Occupational wellness considers what you want to actually do with your life, whether through employment or pursuit of passions. Though there are significantly fewer ways to actively improve this type of wellness; focusing on other areas of wellness can lead naturally to occupational wellness improving.
The final dimension of wellness is social. Humans are a social species by nature, so we need human connections to really thrive. This can range from a simple “hello” to a classmate on campus, to joining a new club, or even to hanging out with someone you haven’t seen in a while.
The dimensions of wellness are all connected, so improvements in one area will have a positive impact on other areas as well. Small steps add up!
