When we talk about wellness, we can mean any number of things. As a state of wellbeing, wellness incorporates our physical and mental health. Some say there are six dimensions of wellness: physical, social, emotional, spiritual, vocational and intellectual. Others would expand those dimensions to include financial, environmental, mental and medical. Whatever wellness consists of, the objective is the ongoing, intentional effort to live life to its fullest potential. So why should we care about wellness? Hope. Wellness encourages us to lead a more successful life, which means we always know improvement is possible. It shifts our thinking from treating illness to avoiding it altogether. We may not be physically fit or ailment-free, but we can try to improve on what we’ve been dealt. In seeking wellness, we should address all dimensions because they can greatly impact each other. A work environment that is stressful can easily impact our physical, social and emotional wellness. If we are heavily in debt, our sleep can be affected, which can lead to any number of other problems. As Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University has explained, “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being.” Interested in a snapshot of your wellbeing? Try this Wellness Assessment.
