The wellness wheel provides a visual representation of the concept of wellness that demonstrates the need for balanced or well-rounded lives. To attain and maintain harmony and balance in our lives, we must pay attention to each of the seven dimensions of wellness. To neglect or over-emphasize any of the seven dimensions will result in an out-of-balance wellness wheel.
Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives. While different individuals may have different views of what spiritualism is, it is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence, leading one to strive for a state of harmony with oneself and others while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world. Being open to different cultures, religions, and spiritual philosophies
Social Wellness is the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world and being comfortable with and liking yourself as a person. Our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers contributes to our social wellness.
Occupational Wellness is the ability to get personal fulfillment from our jobs or our chosen career fields while still maintaining balance in our lives. Our desire to contribute in our careers to make a positive impact on the organizations we work in and to society as a whole leads to occupational wellness.
Optimal Physical Wellness is developed through the combination of beneficial physical activity/exercise and healthy eating habits. Developing physical wellness empowers you to be able to monitor your own vital signs and understand your body’s warning signs. The physical benefits of looking good and feeling terrific most often lead to the psychological benefits of enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination and a sense of direction.
Emotional Wellness is the ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring. The ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness or stress; hope, love, joy and happiness in a productive manner contributes to our emotional wellness.
Intellectual Wellness is the ability to open our minds to new ideas and experiences that can be applied to personal decisions, group interaction and community betterment. The desire to learn new concepts, improve skills and seek challenges in pursuit of lifelong learning contributes to our intellectual wellness.
Environmental Wellness is the ability to recognize our own responsibility for the quality of the air, the water and the land that surrounds us. The ability to make a positive impact on the quality of our environment, be it our homes, our communities or our planet contributes to our environmental wellness.
