7 Dimensions of Wellness
Justin McCarthy-Contreras
Published January 19, 2023
Physical
Manage the body given to you with the mind that controls it. The physical dimension of wellness includes much more than exercising the body.
The physical dimension combines fitness, consuming a healthy diet, sleeping, and managing personal health. Each of these provides the body with features to enjoy the day. Individuals should always avoid behaviors leading to illness and treat themselves according to their medical professionals.
Fitness goals range from small to high depending on the person, but despite the size, this is only one of the wellness dimensions.
Intellectual
Mental health enters every dimension and is now the focal point. Concentration, critical thinking, and memory are characteristics considered intellectual.
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) affected my intellect, leaving family and doctors fearing the worst. Forgetting my mom or sister’s name would only increase the accident’s trauma. This was one of the possibilities which didn’t happen.
Intellectual wellness made up my recovery, but associates with everyone. I learned abilities, challenged my critical thinking skills, and analyzed my behavior. Past behavior was always a factor I was not proud of with my family. A positive self-image, problem-solving along with creativity make up the intellectual wellness dimension aspects.
Emotional
Emotional wellness considers revealing proper feelings about all events in life. Emotionally-well people control their feelings to remain confident expressed by behavior. Positive attitudes speak to others for further support.
“Stay resilient.” This phrase was told to me which I knew was true. The TBI modified every part of my life I took for granted. My journey would be controlled by a near-fatal accident if I was weak. Positive emotions advance future goals to conquer any negativity.
Environmental
Respect yourself, and your surroundings. We all have the responsibility to clean the space we live. Be aware of the conditions you inhabit. Inside, this could be de-cluttering space. Recognize the weather outside which affects emotion and other wellness dimensions.
Social
Listen and provide honest dialogue with others. Social wellness incorporates other people into our lives who have positive influences on our future.
My social connection with family is strongest after a TBI. A near-fatal accident proved to me that true friends care about friendship (The memory of one hospital room, in particular, is all I’m able to remember.) Isolation is a common feeling in a patient room where every move feels monitored.
Other people aren’t the only ones to speak. You should try your best to communicate with others too (This was a major problem I had from a TBI. ) Interact with others. Collaborate with people while listening to any comments they might have. The social dimension is a network between two or more people.
Occupational
Balancing work and personal lives comprise the next dimension. You should spend energy both to reward yourself and others such as family. Careers of the category involve job and academic work.
Occupational therapy was a part of my TBI recovery. Returning to a university after nearly losing my life can’t be summarized in a sentence. The mental effort exchanged from school was unfamiliar to me. Acknowledge the emphasis placed on one activity. I expended most of my mental energy on school classes which hurt my family. Educational occupation outweighed my family’s wellness.
Spiritual
Principles and morals coordinate habits throughout the day. Define the significance you bring to the world. Spiritual wellness determines you take time for personal growth, study your surroundings, and help others.
A TBI caused a selfish prioritization of my education. Inner peace was harmed by not understanding life objectives. I received knowledge from school but wasn’t sure how it would impact life after graduation. Discipline specifies what characteristics are most meaningful to us. This is one of the individual lessons school’s can’t teach.
Sources:
MINDBODY, Inc. (2019). The 7 Dimensions of Wellness. https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/infographic/7-dimensions-wellness
