Wellness Explained

Wellness has become one of the buzz words of the 21st Century. Wellness is more than just the absence of disease. It refers to the conscious and deliberate effort to stay healthy and achieve one’s highest potentialfor wellbeing.

 

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness refers to the willingness to take the time and effort to pursue activities which enhance physical health, and the avoidance of activities which could be detrimental to your physical well-being. Physical wellness habits include regular physical activity, nutritional responsibility, sufficient relaxation and sleep, self-care and safety awareness. This also implies the non-abuse of alcohol, drugs, tobacco and medication, the practice of safe traffic measures, and safe and responsible sexual practices.

 

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness includes an awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings, and the ability to maintain relative control over emotional states, to express feelings appropriately, and to cope effectively with stress. It implies the capacity to feel positive and enthusiastic about oneself and about life, and the ability to motivate.

 

Social Wellness

Social wellness refers to the need for personal identity and a feeling of belonging. It emphasizes the interdependence with others and with nature and includes the pursuit of harmony with one’s immediate human and physical environment as well as with the larger community. Social wellness habits include the establishment of meaningful relationships and demonstrating an ongoing commitment to the common good of the community and the environment.

 

Environmental Wellness

Environmental well-being includes trying to live in harmony with the Earth by understanding the impact of our interaction with nature and our personal environment, and taking action to protect the world around us. Protecting ourselves from environmental hazards and minimizing the negative impact of our behaviour on the environment are also central elements.

 

Career Wellness

Career wellness is evidenced by the satisfactions and enrichment gained from one’s work and the degree to which one is able to create a rewarding lifestyle through which personal values can be expressed. This includes the assessment of one’s abilities and skills, values, and interests in the search for a suitable career, as well as the preparation for work through studies and training. It follows that financial remuneration is not necessary for occupational wellness; this need can also be met through leisure activities or community involvement.

 

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness encourages creative, stimulating mental activities. It is about the continuous acquisition, further development, and creative application of independent and critical thinking skills, and the opennessto new ideas. An intellectually well person uses the available intellectual and cultural activities and resourcesto expand his/her knowledge and to improve their skills.

 

Spiritual Wellness

Spirituality is the way we orientate ourselves towards the Divine. It is the way we make meaning out of ourlives. It is the recognition of the presence of the Spirit within us and a cultivation of a style of life consistent with that presence. Spirituality provides a perspective to foster purpose, meaning, and direction to one’s life.

 

Financial Wellness

Financial wellness is about living happily within one’s means, not spending more money than one has, and having an awareness of where your money goes. This could be achieved by having a budget to stick to, having a long term financial plan and being aware of financial obligations and meeting them. One should develop a comfortable relationship with money and should learn to manage what you already have whilst you attempt to improve your financial status.