Centre College Health Promotion is utilizing a ten-dimension model for wellness. Wellness is an active and an ongoing process that allows you to reach your full potential. If one of these dimensions is neglected over time, it will begin to affect your health, well-being, and quality of life. Below are brief definitions of each dimension.
Positive human relationships play a huge role in overall feelings of wellness. The relationships and support systems we build help us navigate good times and bad. It is important to establish positive and regular interactions with a wide range of individuals, to help connect to a community. Safely stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to a greater social perspective. These actions will establish a stronger sense of connectedness, belonging, and acceptance.
Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult situations. It’s an acceptance of emotions and working through them in a positive and healthy way.
Personal finances are the number one cause of stress nationwide. Unfortunately, many people simply ignore their financial situation until it is too late. Finances are often complicated and overwhelming, but taking steps to minimize these stressors is a very important part of overall feelings of wellness. Managing expenses, understanding loan structures, and just having a basic appreciation of financial standing are important steps toward attaining a level of satisfaction.
Spiritual wellness can be defined as being connected to something greater than yourself and the search for purpose in life. Spiritually well people use their own set of values principles, morals, and beliefs to guide their actions and decisions. Spiritual wellness has the power and capability to make our decisions and choices easier, ground us during periods of change, and give us the resiliency to survive with grace and inner peace in the pace of adversity.
Digital wellness is setting healthy boundaries and limits around your use of technology and screen time. A digitally well person considers the impact of virtual presence and use of technology on their overall well-being by taking steps to create sustainable habits that support their values, goals, community, and safety.
The importance of finding joy, purpose, and satisfaction in your job cannot be undervalued. Occupational wellness involves balancing work and leisure, building relationships with peers, and managing stress. It recognizes the importance of finding satisfaction, enrichment, and a sense of purpose through work. It also highlights the idea that every person has value as well a unique set of skills and experiences that should be shared for the benefit of all.
Intellectual wellness encourages us to engage in creative activities that stimulate our minds. Taking time to find and indulge in your passions, hobbies, and interests leads to a far greater feeling of well-being. This aspect encourages learning about things that are outside your normal realm, simply out of desire to obtain knowledge and skills. As intellectual wellness progresses, you'll develop resources that work together with the other wellness dimensions that lead to a more balanced life.
Positive physical health habits can help decrease your stress, lower your risk of disease, increase your energy, and lead to greater academic and personal success. It is the idea that in order to achieve optimal mental and physical health, you must balance exercise, sleep habits, nutrition, and listening to your body when it is trying to tell you something.
Environmental wellness is your ability to connect with the world around you. It inspires you to live a life of accountability with an understanding that all actions have consequences that affect the people around us. Feeling as though you are in a safe and stimulating environment is a critical aspect of not only enhancing successes but also an overall sense of well-being. Research has repeatedly confirmed the positive benefits nature provides to our mood, mental health, physical health, and overall success.
Cultural wellness is having the freedom to practice your own culture, and to belong to a cultural group. Cultural well-being comes from being valued for the differences that define us and our beliefs, history, and roots.