What exactly is Wellness?
According to the World Health Organization, total wellness is a "state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Wellness is the active process of becoming aware and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life. In this article you will learn the 8 different components of Wellness, what total wellness is and why it's so important, and steps to help you thrive in your own life.
The 8 Dimensions of Wellness
There are eight dimensions of wellness: occupational, emotional, spiritual, environmental, financial, physical, social, and intellectual. Each dimension of wellness is related with another. Each is equally vital in the pursuit of optimum health. One can reach an optimal level of wellness by understanding how to maintain each of the dimensions.
- Emotional—Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
- Environmental—Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being
- Financial—Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
- Intellectual—Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
- Occupational—Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work
- Physical—Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep
- Social—Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system
- Spiritual—Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life
source: SAMHSA.gov
"Embarking on a wellness journey is a process of searching for the appropriate “tools” to make you a healthier and happier human being..."
-Global Wellness Day-
Why is Wellness so important?
Wellness is absolutely crucial to live a higher quality life. Wellness is such a huge factor because everything we do and every emotion we feel relates to our well-being. In turn, our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions. It’s an ongoing cycle.
It's no surprise that depression is one of the most common health problems in the world. This problem is often manifested in the form of stress, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, obesity, and heart disease, insomnia, etc.
It doesn't matter a person’s age, size, shape or perceived attractiveness, wellness is the cornerstone of quality of life. It determines how we ultimately look, feel, interact with others and thrive in life and work.
Total Wellness
Total wellness is the active pursuit of balancing the 8 dimensions of Wellness while ultimately seeking a higher quality of life. Basically it's a state in which you are physically, mentally and spiritually fit. 
A lot of people think of just diet when it comes to being "healthy". Total Wellness is no fad diet, it's more of a lifestyle change because there is no finish line. You are constantly striving for growth!
