Wellness can be a slippery little devil, so I like to use the Eight Dimensions of Wellness when taking inventory of my wellbeing. It’s what I use with clients, too. This framework helps slice the oftentimes elusive concept of wellness into pieces. It’s A LOT easier to find the needy spots when the layers are exposed!
Want to try it out? I’ve listed the eight dimensions below and included a brief definition for each. Read through the dimensions, then consider the questions that follow.
Physical Wellness
Physical health and well-being through physical activity, healthful nutrition, and sleep.
Emotional Wellness
The expression and management of one's feelings to cope and thrive in relationships and pursue acceptance of one's emotions.
Spiritual Wellness
Aligning one's beliefs and values with one's worldview to establish meaning and purpose in life.
Social Wellness
Recognizing and engaging with one's interconnectedness with others for the betterment of the community as a whole.
Intellectual Wellness
Engaging in activities that stimulate and challenge mental faculties to enhance one's mental fitness.
Occupational Wellness
Personal enrichment and engagement with one's work/school/volunteer work that is meaningful and rewarding.
Financial Wellness
Establishing healthy financial habits and planning for the future to ensure financial stability throughout a lifetime.
Environmental Wellness
Seeking surroundings that promote personal safety and encourage and support all aspects of personal wellness.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Which areas are the easiest for you to foster?
- Which dimensions have you neglected or even avoided?
- Do you feel light and airy in any of the dimensions? Which ones?
- Do you feel stuck or like anything is missing in any of the dimensions? Which ones?
- Knowing that the dimensions are intertwined, how can you boost your overall wellness in the next 30 days? 90 days? 6 months?
