Wellness Wheel

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

As we continue to navigate these uncharted waters amidst the Covid-19 pandemic it remains paramount that we understand and focus on the impacts to both our physical and mental well being. From fear of infection to fear of paying the mortgage the amount of negative stimuli impacting our mental well being has never been greater! During these difficult times, focusing on maintaining and improving our collective total wellness will help us to better cope with the many stresses in our lives and will make us, the people we care about, and our communities stronger.

Wellness is not merely the absence of illness or distress – it is striving for positive physical, mental and social well-being. It is a lifelong process of making decisions that support a more balanced life and enable you to maximize your potential. Because mental health and physical health are linked, problems in one area can impact the other. There are always opportunities for enhancing your wellness. A good place to start is self-reflection and goal-setting. A Wellness Wheel is an effective tool to help this process.

According to Boston University there are Eight Dimensions of Wellness.

1. Emotional - Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships 
2. Environment - Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being
3. Financial - Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
4. Intellectual - Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
5. Occupational - Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work (substitute Academics for our children)
6. Physical - Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep
7. Social - Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system 
8. Spiritual - Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life

A wellness wheel is a versatile, broad-strokes tool to look at the full picture of our collective wellbeing. Know that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the wellness wheel and it will look different at different times in our lives. The key is to notice if there are imbalances that are posing challenges or limiting us in some way. If so, make a conscious decision to take steps that lead to a meaningful change.

Remember that wellness is not the absence of illness or stress. You can still strive for wellness even if you are experiencing these challenges in your life.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton / Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together!