Finding Balance Through the 8 Dimensions of Wellness

Mental health is our ability to engage in our emotions, thoughts, interactions with others, and the world around us. It affects how we think, feel, and act every day. When we feel mentally well, we're able to enjoy life and the people in it, feel better about ourself, and keep up with fulfilling relationships and manage stress.

Mental health plays a big role in our overall wellbeing. The best way to protect your mental health is to pay attention to it, even when you're feeling good. There are many ways to take care of your mental health. One way to do this is to nurture your mental wellbeing.

While mental health refers to our brain's health and emotional stability, mental wellbeing covers all aspects of our overall positive functioning. Wellness is not only being free of disease or illness, but also having a purpose in life, being emotionally healthy, taking an active involvement in your work and leisure time, having joyful relationships and being happy.

Being proactive about our mental wellbeing is about finding practices that help us thrive. This requires purposeful effort and is about taking the time to connect with and care for yourself as you would for others.

Prioritizing yourself doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive. It can be little things that we give intentional time and effort to on a daily basis that can help us find purpose, connection, and fulfillment.

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness are a framework for balancing our mental wellbeing in every aspect of who we are. Each dimension is interconnected, meaning growth in one area often supports growth in others. Let's break down each dimension and explore how they contribute to your overall well-being.

1. Emotional Wellness

"Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships."

Emotional wellness is about understanding, managing, and accepting your emotions. It involves developing resilience, practicing mindfulness, and forming healthy relationships. It includes knowing our strengths, as well as what we want to get better at. Being emotionally well doesn't mean being happy all the time, it means being able to process feelings and bounce back from challenges.

Tip: Practice journaling or talk with a trusted friend or therapist to explore your emotions regularly.

2. Spiritual Wellness

"Developing a sense of connection and belonging."

Spiritual wellness is deeply personal. It's about finding meaning and purpose in life. For some, it might be rooted in religion, and for others, it might come from nature, art, or personal values. It's about feeling connected to something greater than yourself.

Tip: Spend time in quiet reflection, meditation, or engage in activities that make you feel grounded.

3. Intellectual Wellness

"Engaging in lifelong learning and personal growth."

Intellectual wellness is about keeping your mind active and curious. This dimension encourages continuous learning, creative pursuits, and broadening your perspective to understand diverse points of view. Engaging in lifelong learning encourages you to try new things and develop an understanding of your place in the world around you.

Tip: Read books, take up a new hobby, listen to podcasts, or enroll in a course that excites you.

4. Physical Wellness

"Maintaining a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, and self-care."

It's your ability to maintain a healthy quality of life to have enough energy to be productive in our daily activities both at work and outside of work. Physical wellness includes regular movement, proper nutrition, quality sleep, and attending to health needs.

Tip: Find a form of movement you enjoy and aim for consistency over perfection.

5. Environmental Wellness

"Creating a safe and supportive living and working environment."

Where you live and work can significantly affect your wellbeing. Environmental wellness means being aware of your surroundings and taking steps to create environments in your office, home, and community that are safe, calm, and in tune with nature.

Tip: Declutter your space, bring in natural elements like plants and other items that bring you a sense of calm or peace.

6. Financial Wellness

"Satisfaction with current and future financial situations."

Money isn't everything, but financial stability can reduce stress. Financial wellness involves budgeting, saving, and making informed choices.

Tip: Track your spending and set financial goals.

7. Occupational Wellness

"Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one's work."

Whether you're working a 9-5 or pursuing a passion project, finding purpose in what you do is key. Occupational wellness is about balance, fulfillment, and alignment between your work and your values. Not everyone has the luxury of chasing down their dreams, and sometimes we're stuck doing something we dislike. But you can still feel good about it. Every job serves a purpose in some way. Just the act of bring home a paycheck or taking care of someone else is invaluable. Taking the time to feel value in the work you're already doing is a wonderful way to feel fulfilled in this dimension.

Tip: Reflect on your career goals and explore ways to bring more meaning or creativity into your work life.

8. Social Wellness

"Having a well-developed support system and social connections."

Humans are wired for connection. Social wellness is about nurturing relationships, building a support network, and communicating effectively.

Tip: Make time for friends and family, and don't hesitate to reach out or join communities with shared interests.

Next Steps

Identify a few ways you'd like to prioritize your own wellbeing. Set aside the time you need to do it and work towards adding these moments regularly into your life. Taking care of yourself can change over time, and it is okay to adapt activities to fit your needs. Working towards balance in all 8 dimensions of wellness is a journey, not a destination. Start small—choose one area to focus on this week, and build from there.

Investing in your mental wellbeing is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and your mental health.