We often think of wellness in terms of our physical health, like our nutrition and physical state. The World Health Organization defines wellness as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Wellness is made up of mutually interdependent dimensions. If there’s an imbalance between these dimensions, or if you neglect a specific dimension for long enough, it can have an adverse effect on your overall health and wellbeing.
Here’s a breakdown of the eight dimensions of health, which all play an important role in promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving your overall wellness1:
EMOTIONAL
Emotional wellness relates to your ability to understand, appreciate, and control your feelings and emotions. It’s your capacity to manage your emotions in a way that allows you to feel positive and enthusiastic about the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Environmental wellness is about being aware of and connected to the natural world. The state of the natural environment is diminishing. That’s why it’s important for us to find ways to protect the environment (e.g. recycling and using sustainable products).
FINANCIAL
Financial wellness encompasses the aspects of your wellbeing that relate to managing your finances in a responsible way. This includes your ability make informed financial decisions that allow you to live within your means.
INTELLECTUAL
Intellectual wellness focusses on aspects of wellbeing that pertain to intellectual growth and expanding your knowledge. There is immense value in lifelong learning, staying curious, and developing creative skills.
OCCUPATIONAL
Occupational wellness is about finding work that is meaningful and satisfying and determining the extent to which your job is aligned to your personal values and goals. It also involves developing skills and taking steps to advance your career.
PHYSICAL
Physical wellness relates to how well you take care of your body to stay healthy. This includes following a balanced, nutritious diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, and avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and excessive drinking.
SOCIAL
Social wellness is about building and maintaining healthy relationships with others. It encompasses your social connections, personal and professional relationships, and how you express yourself and communicate with others.
SPIRITUAL
Spiritual wellness refers to finding your purpose in life and searching for value and meaning. It involves developing an understanding of your values, beliefs, and being able to find a sense of inner peace and balance – whether you believe in a higher power or not.
EXPERT OPINION
“Creative wellness is an additional dimension that refers to expressing your emotions through the arts,” says Clorance George, Nurse Case Manager at Cigna. “It’s one of the more enjoyable components of an overall wellness plan.”
According to George, a recent review of more than 100 studies of the benefits of the arts found that creative expression has a powerful impact on your health and wellbeing. “Engaging in arts and related activities can decrease symptoms of depression, increase positive emotions, reduce your levels of stress, and even improve how your immune system functions,” she adds.
Together, these dimensions of wellness play a key role in your overall health and wellbeing.
Taking steps to improve each dimension can help you lead a healthier, happier life. If you feel that any of your dimensions of health are out of balance, and you’d like to speak to someone about it, you have access to the International Employee Assistance Program.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact your
HR department. Alternatively, visit www.cignawellbeing.com.
This article was reviewed by Clorance George, Nurse Case Manager at Cigna.
Resources:
- NIH. Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/. Accessed January 17, 2023.
- 9 Dimensions Of Wellness. https://wellness.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/2021/05/9%20Dimensions%20of%20Wellness%20Digital.pdf. Accessed February 20, 2023.
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