You meal prep and hit the gym, so why do you still feel drained, stressed, or disconnected?
Many think that “wellness” is all about fitness trackers and green juice. This narrow view leaves us feeling incomplete.
The Six Dimensions of Wellness model was developed originally in 1976 by Dr. Bill Hettler, founder of the National Wellness Institute, as a framework for self-assessment and growth.
According to the Wellness Alliance, wellness is [1]:
- A conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving full potential
- Multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment
- Positive and affirming
In this article, I explain the model.
The Wellness Model
This influential model defines lasting well-being as an active process of building harmony between six interconnected areas (now seven or even eight): physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, and occupational, with environmental and financial added later.
This framework emphasizes interdependence. Strength in one dimension supports others. This fosters resilience and overall well-being. Working with the wheel provides the opportunity to focus on your wellness. It does this by identifying areas in your life you may have neglected and are seeking to improve [2].
The Foundation: Physical and Emotional Wellness
The foundation of this model begins with our bodies and our feelings, the two dimensions we most often feel in our daily lives.
- Physical Wellness
This involves the proactive maintenance of your body for optimal function and strength. It is based on movement you enjoy, nourishment that fuels you, restorative sleep, and preventive care. It’s not about workout punishment or body sculpting aesthetics.
- Emotional Wellness
This involves the healthy ability to know and express your feelings. It involves stress resilience, healthy coping strategies, and the courage to seek support without being overwhelmed.
The Expansion: Intellectual and Social Wellness
With a stable foundation, we can engage with the world’s ideas and people.
- Intellectual Wellness
This is about the commitment to lifelong learning, creativity, and mental stimulation.
- Social Wellness
Here the focus is on building and maintaining positive, trusting relationships through effective communication, meaningful connections, healthy boundaries, and contributing to your community.
The Context: Spiritual and Occupational Wellness
Our well-being involves meaning-making and our sense of purpose.
- Spiritual Wellness: The Search for Meaning
When we ask ourselves, “What gives my life weight and direction?” we develop a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection to something greater. It involves clarifying values, meditation or prayer, reflection, and engaging in acts of service.
- Occupational Wellness: Finding Purpose in What You Do
This revolves around the pursuit of personal satisfaction and work that align with your values, passions, and talents, while maintaining healthy boundaries in your life.
Practical Integration: How to Cultivate Balance
Conscious balancing of the dimensions can be initially done by:
- The “Wellness Wheel” Exercise: Draw a circle, divide it into six slices, label each dimension, and shade each slice based on your current satisfaction (1-10). The resulting shape is a visual snapshot of your balance. Ask yourself, “Why do I feel a certain imbalance in my wellness wheel?” [3].
- Start Small with Synergy: Identify the most undernourished dimension. Choose one step that also touches another. For example, a weekly “walking meeting” with a friend involves three of the dimensions.
The Practice of Wholeness
Wellness lies in the integration of these six dimensions. You are the architect of this balance. The wellness wheel is your blueprint [4]. Look at your life through this wider lens tonight. Which dimension is quietly asking for a bit more of your attention?
Finding Support for Healing at Corner Canyon
Treatment for mental health conditions and trauma is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from OCD, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, CPTSD, other mental health conditions, or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.
Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
Sources
[1] Wellness Alliance. nd. Six Dimensions of Wellness.
[2] Williams N. 2022. The Seven Dimensions of Wellness. News-medical.net.
[3] Patalsky K. 2019. Defining Wellness: Hettler’s Six Dimensions. Live Well. Healthyhappylife.com.
[4] Sidi T. 2022. Understanding the Wellness Wheel: 7 Dimensions of Wellness. Talkspace.com.