Eight Dimensions of Wellness
People often believe their health revolves around physical health, such as diet and exercise. There's so much more to health. Wellness is multi-dimensional encompassing eight dimensions: physical, financial, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, vocational, and intellectual. These dimensions work in harmony to help achieve optimal health and wellbeing. While it’s important to give attention to all dimensions, they do not have to be equally balanced. Instead, we are striving for personal harmony and it should feel authentic to you.
Register before February 6 to receive a free self-assessment and follow-up information. Each weekly email will offer guidance to achieving personal harmony and balance.
The first step is self-awareness. When the series begins February 7, participants will receive a self-assessment. The assessment will help you uncover strengths and opportunities for improvement. This self-assessment will guide your activities in the following weeks.
Here's what you can expect each week. Each Monday through March 28, you will receive an email with a new dimension of wellness to explore, suggested activities, and a link to report your activities. By the end of the series, you will have learned about all 8 dimensions and hopefully found more balance in your life.
Track your weekly activities. At the end of each week, submit your activities. Each submission enters you for a drawing at the end of the series. Don’t worry about getting it perfect; just focus on becoming the best version of you in 2022. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, contact Kristin Bogdonas, kmbogdo@illinois.edu. Registration closes February 6.
"Wellness is the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” (Global Wellness Institute)
Weekly focus
Vocational Wellness | Week of February 7
Vocational wellness, also called occupational wellness, explores ways to incorporate and express your values and interests through your work, school, and career. This dimension also invites you to look at balancing work and leisure time.
Intellectual Wellness | Week of February 14
Intellectual wellness involves many things that keep our brains active and our intellect expanding. In a broad sense, this dimension can involve looking at different perspectives of an issue and taking them into consideration. Through a number of activities—from learning about current events to organizing game nights in your home or community center—you can broaden your perspective and understand diverse points of view.
Social Wellness | Week of February 21
Social wellness encourages us to develop a sense of connection and belonging to our community, friends, and family. It helps you perform social roles effectively and comfortably and establish a meaningful support network.
Emotional Wellness | Week of February 28
Emotional wellness relates to an increased awareness, expression, and acceptance of a wide range of thoughts and feelings in yourself and others. Emotional wellness involves adjusting to emotional challenges, coping with stress, and enjoying life.
Spiritual Wellness | Week of March 7
Spiritual wellness helps us develop meaning and purpose to life. Spirituality can be represented in many ways, with or without organized religion. Becoming spiritually well means participating in activities that are consistent with our values and beliefs.
Environmental Wellness | Week of March 14
Environmental wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings and preserves the areas where we live, learn, and work. Environmental wellness promotes interaction with both nature and your personal environment. It can include occupying spaces that support our well-being.
Financial Wellness | Week of March 21
Financial wellness is about meeting all financial needs and feeling secure in future financial situations. Financial well-being is also a highly personal state and how we feel about this state is emotional and individualized.
Physical Wellness | Week of March 28
Physical wellness relates to maintaining a healthy body and seeking care when needed. It involves listening to your body and adopting healthy daily habits and behaviors. Physical wellness includes eating a healthy and balanced diet, being physically active, getting adequate sleep, managing stress, getting regular medical check-ups, and abstaining from harmful behaviors. Striving for physical wellness will not only enrich your health, but will also help you maintain your quality of life.
