Chapter 1; Wellness
Rebekah Phillips
There are seven dimensions of wellness discussed in Chapter 1
Dimension 1: Physical Dimension
The Physical Dimension deals with the functional operation of the body
I. Involves the health related components of Physical Fitness- Muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and body composition.
II. Although those components directly influence your fitness, Dietary habits have a significant effect on wellbeing.
III. It also includes self-care. Regular self-tests, medical and dental check ups, proper use of medications, taking necessary steps when you’re ill, and appropriate use of the medical system.
Dimension 2: Intellectual Dimension
The Intellectual Dimension involves the use of your mind.
I. Maintaining an active mind contributes to total wellbeing.
II. Intellectual growth is not restricted to formal education. It involves a continuous acquisition of knowledge throughout life, engaging your mind in creative and stimulating mental activities. Curiosity and learning should never stop.
III. Reading, writing, and keeping abreast of current events are intellectual pursuits. Being able to think critically and analyze, evaluate, and apply knowledge is also associated with this dimension.
Dimension 3: Emotional Dimension
The abilities to laugh, enjoy life, adjust to change, cope with stress, and maintain intimate relationships are examples of the Emotional Dimension.
I. Emotional wellness includes three areas; awareness, acceptance, and management.
A. Emotional awareness involves recognizing your feelings, as well as the feelings of others.
B. Emotional acceptance means understanding the normality of human emotion, in addition to assessing your personal abilities and limitations realistically.
C. Emotional management is the ability to control or cope with personal feelings and knowing how to seek support when necessary. It involves having adequate stress-coping mechanisms.
II. There is much research linking emotions to physical well-being. A complex system of chemical messengers connects the mind and body. The production of these chemicals can be turned on and off based on thoughts and emotions. Therefore being in a negative emotional state can affect this chemical system, thereby reducing immune function and increasing illness. Conversely, emotions such as happiness can positively affect health and vitality.
III. Research shows that optimistic and positive-thinking people live longer. They become masters of their own fate not only because they believe good things will happen, they believe that they can make good things happen.
Dimension 4: Social Dimension
Everyone must interact with people. The social dimension of wellness involves the ability to get along with others, appreciate the uniqueness of others, and feel connected to others.
I. You achieve social wellness when you feel a genuine sense of belonging to a social unit. Good friends, close family ties, volunteerism, and trusting relationships go hand in hand with high-level wellness.
II. Studies have shown the power of supportive relationships in reducing the risk, frequency, and severity of illness—and even in promoting healing.
Dimension 5: Spiritual Dimension
The spiritual dimension involves the personal search for meaning and direction in life.
I. In its purest sense, spiritual wellness involves cultivating beliefs, principles, and values that provide guidance and strength throughout all of life’s experiences.
II. There is a strong connection between spirituality and self esteem because of the internal feelings of self worth developed. Attempts to achieve long term self esteem through external constructs of power, socioeconomic status, or physical appearance fail.
III. Spirituality doesn’t just “happen”. It is a process of growth requiring time and attention.
Dimension 6: Environmental Dimension
The Environmental Dimension of