A strong immune system can help prevent infectious disease such as COVID-19. Increasing the barriers (masks, distance, cleaning) to bacteria and virus is just part of prevention. There are other things you can do every day that reduce your risks for disease as well as chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes. Take our assessment below to see where you can make changes to strengthen your immune system and reduce your risks.

8 Dimensions of Wellness

What Is Wellness? Wellness has a personal meaning for each individual, so it can be defined in many ways. In general, wellness refers to overall well-being. What factors do you think influence wellness? More than the absence of disease or stress, wellness involves having:

  • Purpose in life

  • Active involvement in satisfying work and play

  • Joyful relationships

  • A healthy body and living environment 

  • Happiness

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has identified eight dimensions of wellness to focus on to optimize health. The eight dimensions include: emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social. Each dimension is interconnected within an individual’s total well-being. 

Each of the eight dimensions can have a positive or negative impact on the other 7 dimensions. To have a balanced well-being, you must have some level of wellness in each dimension. 

1. Emotional

Emotional wellness revolves around your abilities to cope effectively with life’s ups and downs and creating satisfying relationships.

Ways to Improve - Engage in recreational and leisure activities to keep your mind calm. Spend quality time with yourself doing fun activities like listening to good soulful music, cook something delicious, shower with scented candles, play with your pet, watch your favorite movie or sip coffee in nature. Meditation could also help you to keep mentally and emotionally peaceful.

2. Environmental

Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being. Imagine surrounding yourself with pollution, garbage, factories, etc. at one end and then imagine being around greenery. You get the picture.

Ways to Improve - Your minute steps matter a lot like cleaning the nearby areas, planting trees, building a small garden for yourself, recycling items, avoiding unnecessary littering and even helping with energy conservation. Switch off the lights or other electrical appliances when not in use and make a balance or future generations.

3. Financial

Being financially sound makes you a better decision maker in terms of expenses like investment, education, etc. Satisfaction with current and future financial situations are optimal.

Ways to Improve - Spend money for the necessary items or personal leisure. If you avoid spending on high brands, expensive cafes, etc. regularly, you may be able to save enough for emergencies. Try preparing your own meal or utilize what you already have rather than purchasing items again and again. Also, make sure you track your expenditure and plan the next coming years accordingly.

4. Intellectual

Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills. 

Ways to Improve - Reading books or newspapers, solving brain quizzes, getting into puzzles, learning new languages, etc. helps in achieving one of the 8 dimensions of wellness. Identify a new talent every once a while and achieve it with 100% concentration.

5. Occupational

Personal satisfaction and enrichment from work and school. This category of eight dimensions of wellness belongs to the work of your interest that certainly brings joy and excitement each day. When you love your work, you are able to balance your work or personal life with interest easily. It definitely shall remunerate you with finances or else you will lose the balance of other dimensions.

Ways to Improve - It is best to look for a work which supports your talent, values and skills so that you can provide 100% input to it. Moreover, if you feel free after work, your inner side wants you to cherish other recreational activities, once again balancing the other dimensions of wellness.

6. Physical

Body activeness is such a necessary aspect for overall wellness and rather the major component. Good physical health comes with regular workout, the right diet and deep sleep. 

Ways to Improve - Indulge in a physical activity for at least an hour a day. Be it Yoga, jogging, long walk, skipping, cycling or dancing, any of your favorite activities that bring you freshness and energy doesn’t require a second question. It also induces good sleep that ultimately keeps the brain active.

7. Social

Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system. Support systems can be family, friends, church, school, work or other circles in your life that can provide that encouragement and support. Connections are key to social wellness. 

Ways to Improve - As we told you that your genuineness matters, you must also respect the choices of others. Being in a healthy social group requires good communication and cheerful smiles. Social Wellness Checklist

8. Spiritual

Expanding sense of purpose and meaning in life. Spiritual wellness doesn’t need to be related to religion alone, as misunderstood by many. It helps in understanding the inner reflection and is surely necessary for self-peace.

Ways to Improve - Religion or attending church is one way but spending time in a natural environment or diving deep into meditation could also give you a new perspective for life. The clearer your thoughts and values, more the self-confidence. When you are curious about your purpose of coming on this earth, you tend to attain levels of spiritualism.