Six Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is an expanded idea of health and means more than “absence from disease.” Health is active, alive and vital. It is the presence of well-being and dignity in the lives of individuals, communities and cultures. True wellness is determined by the decisions you make about how you live your life with vitality and meaning. It is the holistic integration of six interactive dimensions that continually influence each other.

Physical:
A healthy body is maintained by good nutrition, regular exercise, avoiding harmful habits, making informed decisions about health and seeking medical assistance when necessary.

Emotional:
The ability to understand your own feelings, accept your limitations, achieve emotional stability and become comfortable with your emotions.

Spiritual:
The sense that life is meaningful and has a purpose; the ethics, values and morals that guide us and give meaning and direction to life.

Intellectual:
A state in which your mind is engaged in lively interaction with the world around you. It involves continued learning, problem solving and creativity.

Environmental (Occupational):
It reflects the fact that personal health depends on the health of the planet. Environmental wellness requires learning about and protecting yourself against environmental hazards.

Social:
The ability to relate well to others, both within and outside the family unit. It encourages contributing to a healthy community by supporting a healthy living environment and initiating better communication with others.