The desire for wellness has been around since ancient civilizations. People have always been drawn to feeling and looking their best. Since the beginning of time, people would go to natural springs for a mineral-filled bath, use herbs for healing illnesses, maintain societal roles or trade skills, and become rooted in philosophy and spirituality for greater self-understanding.
The term "wellness was derived by combining the terms "wellbeing" and "fitness," however, wellness has many important aspects. Rather than wellness being an end goal that one achieves, it's a continual journey throughout the lifespan. Understanding the different wellness categories can serve as a map, so to speak, to brain and body health.
Below you'll find a typical wellness wheel, divided into equal parts. While this wheel properly defines the different aspects of wellness, the parts do not have to be divided equally in order to be maintaining wellness. Instead, if you can define your values, you can identify what categories you need more or less of and create your own pie divisions. Take a look at each category and reflect on how you fill up each aspect of wellness in your life. Are there some that are a priority for you?
How to assess your wellness within each category:
Emotional
Check-in on your brain health. How are you doing with your thoughts? Are you thinking negatively or positively about situations? Are you feeling primarily pleasant or unpleasant feelings more days than not? Are there any traumas or situations that you can't move past? Do you engage in undesired behaviors or unhealthy habits that you just can't break?
1. Understand that your brain is responding to stimuli and is wired this way for a reason.
2. Spend some time to reflect on what may be the root of the emotional or behavioral choices you make.
3. Establish healthy coping skills to reduce unpleasant emotions and to take control over unhelpful thoughts.
4. Reach out to professional or personal support when needed or as maintenance.
Occupational
How do feel going to work each day? Are you excited? Do you feel competent? Or do you feel drained or feel that you are not doing what you are "meant" to do?
1. Assess if your career is in line with your passions and values.
2. Assess if you are able to have a work-life balance.
3. If in an unpleasant job state, ask yourself if there are any aspects of your career and day-to-day duties that could be altered or enhanced to be in line with your needs.
Intellectual
Do you feel intellectual well versed? Do you have a thirst for knowledge or a greater understanding of various topics? 1. Identify how much knowledge you self acquire. For example, are there topics you are curious about and exploring without having to for school or work?
2. Does time spent reading, listening to podcasts, watching documentaries, or engaging in self-exploration or cultural emersion excite you?
3. If this is not a top value or you do not feel a desire to learn, what are some ways that you could minimally fill this need? Many psychologists and theorists stress the importance of intellectual knowledge in order to succeed in social and occupational environments and to be able to give back to their communities.
Environmental
Assess if your environment is safe and healthy. Is there pollution or other environmental hazards?
Is your environment compatible with your needs? For example are you sensitive to certain seasons where you experience low or depressed moods because of weather changes?
Are you living in areas where you have access to resources and leisure activities you find enjoyable?
Financial 1. Do you have stress related to finances or do you feel financially stable? If there is a strain, are there ways to obtain supplemental income, for example, using your skillset to get a part-time job?
2. Would you consider relocating to live in an area that is less expensive?
3. Are there community resources that could provide financial support?
Social Having a sense of belonging is one of the stepping stones to self-achievement.
1. Do you identify with a group (family, friends, club or organization, etc)?
2. Do you feel supported by others and feel able to show your support to others?
3. Can you ask for help when needed and not feel like a burden to others?
Physical Being physically well encompasses the ability to prevent diseases, heal quickly, and enhance longevity. There are many ways to experience physical well-being.
1. Are you free from disease or medical issues?
2. Are you engaging in movement that gets your heart rate up and enhances cardiovascular health and brain health? This would consist of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day.
3. What are your eating habits? Are you eating whole foods and getting the necessary amount of proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and vitamins? If you don't feel you are meeting your nutritional needs, what is the barrier? What would be one small goal for nutrition you can set now?
4. How is your sleep routine? Are you getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night?
Spiritual Spirituality is a personal experience that creates a system of personal beliefs when searching for the meaning of life. Having a sense of meaning provides security, purpose, and coping.
Assess what sense of spirituality you connect with most.
Identify how to incorporate spirituality into your routine.
Everyone is different as far as what they need to feel well. Some people may feel that they needed a higher level of social and environmental fulfillment while others may prioritize spiritual and physical aspects. Knowing yourself and your values is the first step to achieving these wellness goals. It's also important to note that the ratio of each category can evolve during different stages of life.