Wellness is a combination of all aspects of your mind and body working together to create one harmonious lifestyle. Good health in and of itself is not necessarily wellness.
There are other aspects that work together to create a sense of well-being.
The key here is that we are not seeking balance between each dimension. When a scale is balanced, it’s not moving. We humans can never achieve balance, but we can achieve harmony.
In an orchestra, not all instruments are playing the same notes at the same time. When they are, it’s called unison. However, it would be a boring piece if the orchestra plays in unison all the time. In one measure, the woodwinds may be at rest while the brass plays. In another measure, the music is forte (played loudly) while another measure might be piano (played softly). You get the picture.
Such is life. These aspects of life will wax and wane in different stages of our lives. If one is out of tune (going back to the music analogy) then focus on bringing that aspect back into the picture.
When one of these dimensions is not functioning, this makes you unable to reach your full potential of good health. Each one of them is connected to the other and together, they contribute to your overall wellness.
The eight dimensions are:
1. Emotional: how in tune you are with your feelings and how you channel them
2. Spiritual: achieving a sense of peace and harmony via a common purpose that ties creation together, which in a way will give purpose to your own life as well
3. Environmental: your living space as well as your contribution to the quality of air, water and land around you
4. Occupational: be it corporate worker, teacher, home maker, or entrepreneur, making a positive impact in your industry and getting personal fulfillment from your career field
5. Intellectual: expanding your mind through knowledge, experiencing new ideas, experiences and challenges; improving skills and learning new concepts
6. Physical: maintaining a healthy lifestyle through a balanced diet, exercise, rest etc.
7. Financial: This is not just about having money, but being smart with it. As someone who filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, I know full well what happens when this aspect of your life is out of tune. Being smart with money gives you more options and peace of mind.
8. Social: maintaining a balance between your needs and the needs of others
Here are some ways to get the most out of each:
1. Exercise
We all undoubtedly know about this one. Not only does it improve your cardiovascular system, boost your self-confidence, and enhance your immune system, but it is also a mood enhancer. It decreases stress levels and improves sleep patterns.
2. Reading
People say they’re too busy to read these days. With all the distractions, that’s not surprising. However, just spending 30 minutes to read is an excellent way to unwind from the stress and pressures of daily routine. It also stimulates your brain and enhances your ability to focus and concentrate.
Adding to your skill set can also put you on the path to higher income.
3. Connecting
We humans are social creatures. Making meaningful connections with others releases pleasure hormones like endorphins which can leave you feeling good about yourself for several hours afterward. These hormones of happiness lower your levels of stress, blood pressure, and glucose levels. They also open up doors to creative thinking and allow you to see things from a wider perspective, with more wisdom and balance. So shake hands and get those endorphins pumping!
4. Pick a Hobby
There’s a reason why Hobby Lobby is doing well. They tapped into an often-neglected market of people who let their once-upon-a-time hobbies go by the wayside. These people want to reconnect with their favorite pastimes and their nostalgia.
Regardless of your hobby, past or present, the important thing is that you invest your time in it. Set aside some time for your hobby during the weekend, then slowly make it part of your everyday routine, even if it’s for only 5 minutes. Those minutes will add up and you’ll find yourself getting better and better at it without actually thinking about it.
The time you spend working on your hobby will also benefit your mental state. Focusing on something, you enjoy doing lowers cortisol levels, allowing you to let go of stress. It also forms new pathways in your brain, which helps with focus, concentration, and memory.
Bottom Line
Your well-being requires introspection on your part in order to get in touch with what makes you feel happy, content, and satisfied with your life and all the things within it. Take the time to address these dimensions of overall wellness. If one or two are out of place, acknowledge it and make a plan for addressing any shortcomings.
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