Wellness is something that we all should be striving for in our day-to-day lives, yet it is not a topic of conversation that we often hear or talk about. Prioritising our wellness is ultimately an act of selfcare, essential for our mental health and therefore fundamental to our well-being (Ferris State
University).
Firstly, it is important to discuss the concept of wellness. Wellness is often described as an active process where an individual is able to gain awareness of and make choices towards a healthier, more balanced and therefore more fulfilling life. Wellness is also considered to be a way of living a healthy
lifestyle, which is positive, proactive and sustainable and as a result, aims to enhance our overall well-being. Wellness is not only an indication of the absence of illness or disease, like many people would think. Wellness is a conscious and self-directed process. It involves choice and self-awareness.
It is a process that is always moving and always changing, much like life itself. Wellness is also multidimensional as there are many dimensions that contribute to who we are as individuals (Stoewen, 2015 and UCDavis).
Our well-being, on the other hand, indicates the presence of positive emotions and moods as well as our standard of living. Our well-being is an indication of how fulfilled and satisfied we feel about our lives. It also indicates if our current state of functioning is positive or not (Health-Related Quality of Life, 2018).
Currently, there are said to be eight dimensions of wellness. These eight dimensions are mutually interdependent, meaning they are connected and influence one another. If one dimension is neglected or overlooked, it can affect our overall health, well-being and quality of life as the other
dimensions are also being affected. Sometimes we tend to only prioritise two or three dimensions. We might prioritise our exercise, our jobs and our hobbies, but neglect all the other dimensions that influence our way of life. Therefore, looking after ourselves and prioritising our wellness provides an
opportunity for us to focus on each dimension and cater to our different needs through acts of selfcare. This is how we are able to find balance (Stoewen, 2015).
The 8 dimensions of wellness are:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Social
- Environmental
- Financial
- Spiritual
- Occupational
- Intellectual
These eight dimensions can help us to cater to their needs in order to prioritise our self-care and enhance our well-being. Understanding these dimensions and what they incorporate can help us to practically put together our own tailored self-care plans.