May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This year’s theme is “Together for Mental Health” #Together4MH. On 104.7 THE DROP we have a special segment called “Therapy Thursdays”. Once a month, we have a special guest Michelle R. Simmons, LPC. , CEO/Clinical Director of Michelle Simmons Counseling on the air with us. In an episode, Michelle talked about ‘8 Dimensions of Wellness’.
THE 8 DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS:
What is Wellness?
Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes so that instead of just surviving, you’re thriving.
1. EMOTIONAL WELLNESS
Emotional wellness inspires self-care, relaxation, stress reduction and the development of inner strength. It is important to be attentive to both positive and negative feelings and be able to understand how to handle these emotions. This also includes the ability to learn and grow from experiences. Emotional well-being encourages autonomy and proper decision-making skills. It is an important part of overall wellness.
2. SPIRITUAL WELLNESS
Spiritual wellness allows us to be in tune with our spiritual selves. This realm of wellness allows us to find meaning in life events and define our individual purpose. It can be defined through various factors including religious faith, values, ethics, and morals. Regardless of whether you believe in a particular religious faith, there is always something to be learned about how you see yourself in the world
3. ENVIRONMENTAL WELLNESS
Environmental wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings. This realm encourages us to live in harmony with the Earth by taking action to protect it. Environmental well-being promotes interaction with nature and your personal environment. Everyone can have a strong environmental conscious simply by raising their awareness
4. FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Financial Wellness involves the process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives and not having enough of it impacts our health. Financial stress is repeatedly found to be a common source of stress, anxiety, and fear. Keeping track of expenses, making a budget, and sticking to it are important skills to have in order to be financially responsible and independent. Learning how to maximize your financial wellness now will help you feel prepared to handle potentially stressful financial situations in the future.
5. OCCUPATIONAL WELLNESS
Occupational wellness inspires us to prepare for work in which we will gain personal satisfaction and find enrichment in our lives. Your attitude about work is a crucial influence on occupational development. This allows you to explore various career options and encourages you to pursue the opportunities you enjoy the most. This dimension of wellness recognizes the importance of satisfaction, enrichment, and meaning through work
6. SOCIAL WELLNESS
Social wellness refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others. Our relationships can offer support during difficult times. This involves building healthy, nurturing and supportive relationships as well as fostering a genuine connection with those around us. Conscious actions are important in learning how to balance your social life with your personal and professional lives. It also includes balancing the unique needs of romantic relationships with other parts of your life
7. PHYSICAL WELLNESS
Physical wellness promotes proper care of our bodies for optimal health and functioning. There are many elements of it that all must be cared for together. Overall, this dimension encourages the balance of physical activity, nutrition, and mental well-being to keep your body in top condition. Obtaining an optimal level of physical wellness allows you to nurture personal responsibility for your own health. As you become conscious of your physical health, you are empowered to identify elements you are successful in as well as elements you would like to improve.
7. INTELLECTUAL WELLNESS
Intellectual wellness encourages us to engage in creative and mentally-stimulating activities. These activities should expand your knowledge and skills while allowing you to share your knowledge and skills with others. This dimension can be developed through academics, cultural involvement, community involvement and personal hobbies. As it develops, you develop personal resources that work together with the other realms of wellness in order to be achieve a more balanced life
More about Michelle Simmons:
Michelle R. Simmons, LPC, holds a Master’s Degree in community counseling from the University of Northern Colorado and is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Colorado. In addition to her private practice, she has over 20 years of clinical experience in a variety of settings such as hospitals, community mental health centers and family service agencies.
By continuing her education, Michelle has extensive knowledge in crucial areas such as trauma, crisis intervention and child protective issues. She is dedicated to her community and welcomes the opportunity to work with the unique issues that many people face.
Source: CREATING AHEALTHIER LIFE, A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WELLNESS (samhsa.gov)
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