What does “wellness” mean to you?
When we hear the word wellness we tend to think only of physical, mental/emotional, and financial, but we leave out so many other dimensions that are critical to our overall wellbeing.
Those dimensions include environmental, intellectual, occupational, social, and spiritual. Taking care of each dimension of the Wellness Wheel can help you become more aware of the interconnectedness of each dimension, and how all aspects of your life contribute to feeling well, both physically and mentally.
So how do I do that?
Spiritual
I have found mediating and practicing self-reflection help me in this
dimension. Grab a meditation book from your local bookstore and see how good it feels when you take 10 minutes to mediate, it can be life-changing.
Social
Become engaged with others in your community. Reach out to your
friends, stay connected to friends to ensure you have a positive support network. Make connections, get active in your community, and take care of others while you take care of yourself.
Intellectual
Be open to new ideas and opportunities. Read more, take up journaling, play games (crossword puzzles, sudoku, word searches, etc.).
Environmental
Be aware of your surroundings. Take a hike, visit nature and celebrate all of its beauty.
Occupational
Find a career that is challenging, rewarding, and aligns with your passions.
Financial, emotional, and physical wellness are often free benefits offered by your employer.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) provide free programs to help you deal with life’s challenges.
401k is a great way to enhance your financial situation and prepare you for retirement. Even, if you can’t contribute the entire amount to get the full match, contribute something to get a portion of the match, i.e., free money.
Take advantage of every program your employer offers to help you take care of your health; steps challenges, lunch and learns, onsite biometric testing, and annual wellness exams.
Wellness is more than a buzzword! Wellness shapes every aspect of your life and it is important to remember that wellness is a journey, not a destination. Remember when “I” is replaced with “We” even illness becomes Wellness!
I look forward to seeing you on the wellness journey. If you see me, don’t hesitate to stop and say, “Hello.”