8 Dimensions of Wellness

8 Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is most frequently associated with physical health, including nutrition, exercise, and weight management. However, it encompasses much more than that. Wellness is a holistic blend of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, nourishing the body, stimulating the mind, and nurturing the spirit. A way to look at holistic wellness is to dive deeper into the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. The 8 components of wellness include emotional, financial, social, spiritual, occupational, physical, intellectual, and environmental. Attention must be given to each dimension to achieve holistic wellness.  It is believed that if you neglect one dimension of wellness, eventually other dimensions of wellness will suffer.

Emotional

Emotional wellness includes coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships with others.

Ways you can increase your emotional wellness:

• Establish boundaries throughout all aspects of your life
• Each day take some time just for yourself, whether that is when you do your skincare or if you take fifteen minutes to read from your book.
• Try and get at least eight hours of sleep.
• Acknowledge and share your feelings (anger, fear, sadness, stress, hope, love, joy, and happiness).
• Ask for help, and if you need help, reach out to someone and talk.

Financial

Financial wellness represents feeling satisfied with current and future financial situations.

Ways to foster financial wellness include:

• Creating a budget 
• Making wise financial decisions while not overstepping your means
• Keeping track of your finances

Social

Social Wellness is developing a sense of connection, belonging, and support with others.

Ways to nurture your social wellness include:

• Recognize how the people you associate with influence you, and the decisions you may make, or have made in the past
• Be honest about your feelings
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others
• Listen to the people around you talk about things without judgment, and or potentially blame
• Try not to be overly critical of others, and try and avoid angry outbursts

Spiritual

Spiritual wellness includes fostering a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Ways to support your spiritual wellness include:

• Spend time in nature, someplace where you can feel balanced
• Learn how to meditate
• Give back to your community by volunteering
• If church is something you associate with or want to be part of, feel comfortable to lean into it

Occupational

Occupational wellness encompasses finding personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s work.

Ways to develop occupational wellness include:

• Don’t settle for the position you currently hold, keep yourself motivated, and keep moving towards your ultimate goal
• Keep networking by making connections with fellow employees and clients
• Enjoy what you do, do what you enjoy

Physical

Physical wellness is acknowledging the importance of physical activity, nutrition, 

and sleep.

Ways to encourage physical wellness include:

• Routine check-ups with your doctor, dentist, and any other specialist you may see
• Eating a balanced diet
• Exercising
• Healthy sleeping habits

Intellectual

Intellectual wellness includes recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.

Ways to expand your intellectual wellness may include:

• Read- whether it’s for fun or a self-help book
• Start keeping a journal about the highs and lows of your life
• Explore the arts
• Play games that push your mind in ways to keep it strong (like a brain workout)

Environmental

Environmental wellness represents occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being.

Ways to increase your environmental wellness include:

• Decluttering your home by giving away old clothes, going through your junk drawers
• Separate your garbage from recycling
• Volunteer in your community

For more information visit Compass Health Highlighting the 8 Dimensions of Wellness.