8 Components of Wellness & How to Find Balance

Working out, eating healthy, paying bills… you’re no stranger to the checklist of adulthood. And, though you know each of the items on the list is important for your wellbeing, it can be tough to commit to (and find joy in) all of them. One reason for this, however, is that efforts like eating healthy and working out aren’t the only components of wellness. Nope, you actually need to focus on EIGHT dimensions of wellness to achieve total wellbeing. 

The good news is, when you’re striving to improve all eight components, you’ll contribute so much to your mental health that it won’t (always) feel like a burden. 

Learn the meaning of each wellness component below and read on for tips to balance them all. 

8 Components of Wellness for a Happier Life

It is common to associate wellness with good physical health, but the fact of the matter is that wellness is an eight-fold concept. In fact, you can improve your wellness despite the presence of illness because there are other elements to focus on.

It’s also important to remember that complete wellness doesn’t mean zero stress. But it absolutely means you’ll have healthier ways of coping with it.

Which of the eight components of wellness will you focus on first?

1. Emotional

How you care for your mind and cope with life stressors.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Build Resilience – People who have good emotional health are able to let go of negative feelings faster than those who don’t. Next time you’re feeling stuck in a cloud of negativity, try saying three positive things about the issue. Whether you’re mad at a friend or the world, recognizing the good in those things will help.
• Reduce Stress – Recognizing when you are feeling overwhelmed is a skill in itself. When you detect a high level of stress, make it a point to step back from what you are doing and take time for yourself. Try reading, watching TV, talking to a friend, making tea, doing a face mask, getting a massage, or dancing to music. 
• Build Mindfulness – When you begin to recognize what is happening around and inside of you, you’re becoming more mindful. This helps you connect with the world around you and feel present in your life, both of which are critical to improving your mental health and emotional wellness.

2. Environmental 

The awareness you have of your environment both in terms of how you affect it and it impacts you.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Recycle – Feeling like you’re doing something good for the world around you is a major benefit of helping the planet. If your area doesn’t offer recycling, look into taking items to places you already go like work or school.
• Avoid second-hand smoke – Being aware of your environment means leaving areas that negatively impact your health. When you avoid second-hand smoke, you indicate that your health is a priority. And if you’re still smoking, take steps to quit ASAP.
• Spend time outside – Enjoy and appreciate your natural surroundings by spending time outdoors. Whether it’s a hike, stroll around the block, or sitting outside, you’ll improve not only your environmental wellbeing, but also your emotional, spiritual, and physical health.

3. Financial

How satisfied you are with your current and future financial situation.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Keep a Budget – Track your expenses to ensure you spend less than you earn each month. This will highlight areas where you may be able to cut back, which can make managing finances a little easier.
• Plan for Future Spending – You may not be on the market for a new house, car, or degree right now, but if you forsee any significant spending in your future, plan for it. Be aware of how much you will need, when you will need it, and what that means for your spending habits. Similarly, setting aside money for emergencies can help you keep peace of mind during financially trying times.
• Grow Your Money – Contribute to retirement plans offered through your employer if possible and work with a financial advisor to learn more about investing money and tax savings.

4. Intellectual

Your ability to be creative and find ways to expand knowledge and skills.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Learn Something New – Whether it’s a new game, a foreign language, or a job-related skill, learning new things sparks your creativity and can be deeply satisfying.
• Debate a Topic with a Friend – As you discuss current events or abstract topics with a friend, try to think of different points of view that may go against your general way of thinking. You’ll expand your understanding of the issue and may even change your mind!
• Read – Reading for pleasure is a great way to expand your creativity. Keep in mind that you don’t have to read a book to get the benefits. Make time to read blogs, articles, or magazines about topics that interest you (outside of your field of work, if possible). 

5. Occupational

The fulfillment you get from your work.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Make a Work Friend – Creating connections with co-workers is an excellent way to increase job satisfaction. Be careful not to spend all your time together airing work grievances, though. 
• Find the Positives in Your Job – You may have one foot out the door, but don’t neglect your occupational wellness as you transition jobs. When you feel negative about your current work situation, try to find something positive about it. If you can’t think of a specific aspect you enjoy, take a moment to appreciate the fact that you have a job. It won’t make the work better, but it ties in that emotional wellness component of building resilience. 
• Increase Your Knowledge – Similar to learning something new to stimulate intellectual wellness, continued learning at work can make the job more fulfilling. Talk to your supervisor about the direction of your career and what new skills may be beneficial to your advancement. 

6. Physical

Your body’s need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Learn to Recognize Your Body’s Signals – Physical wellness isn’t all about exercise. It also includes a general connection with your body. Pay attention to how you feel after eating certain foods, before a cold comes on, or during physical activities. You’ll learn what your body likes best and how to respond effectively.
• Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule – Sleep is essential to physical wellbeing, as it provides the energy you need to be physically active. Improving your sleep also has healthy effects like decreased irritability and lower stress.  Plus, lack of sleep can really limit your productivity! 
• Practice Safe Sex – Making love, getting busy, having relations… whatever you call it, sex is a major part of your physical well-being. In addition to the physical benefits, you’ll improve your emotional well-being, overall self-respect, and connection with your partner when you take time to consider your personal limits and/or desires and share them. 

7. Social

The sense of connection and belonging you have within a support system.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Stay in Touch with Supportive People – Make an effort to touch base with the friends and family you feel are the most supportive. Reach out just to share a story or ask how they’ve been rather than waiting until you need them. One easy way to do this is to shoot a text if something makes you think of them. 
• Share about Yourself – It can be difficult, but the more we share with others, the more connected we feel to them. Sharing can be as simple as relating to a struggle they’ve shared or as deep as revealing a difficult experience. No matter what you choose to share, think through your boundaries beforehand so you know how much you’re comfortable disclosing.
• Reflect on Your Needs – Do you have tons of friends but no close relationships? Or maybe one close friend and a desire for more? Perhaps you feel like you’re always there for someone else but the support isn’t returned. Take time to reflect on your social needs, noting which aspects of your social life you enjoy and which you want to change. 

8. Spiritual

A sense of purpose and meaning in life. 

HOW TO IMPROVE IT

• Explore Yourself – Take time to think about what is important to you. Who are you? What drives you? What gives your life meaning? Writing can be a great tool for thinking through these types of abstract questions. Consider sharing with a friend to build connection and conversation too!
• Practice Mindful Relaxation – If you can, meditate a few minutes each day to clear your mind and ground yourself. If meditation isn’t for you, try sitting quietly for a few minutes and taking note of the thoughts that come into your mind as you breathe. Try not to delve into them, but simply take stock of each passing thought.
• Be Curious – If something piques your interest, take a moment to ponder. Again, writing may be helpful in exploring your thoughts. By reflecting in moments of curiosity, you remain present in the world and develop your sense of purpose.

How to Find Balance Using 8 Components of Wellness

Ever feel like there seems to be a limit to how many positive behaviors you can stay consistent with? Maybe you go weeks doing something “good” like going to yoga, journaling, eating breakfast… and then suddenly you hit a wall and are back at square one.

The eight components of wellness listed above are intended to help you live a balanced, healthy life in the long term. It may take effort to implement certain changes now, but, with practice, you will be able to maintain each component of your personal wellbeing. 

Here are a few tips for finding balance using each of the eight components of wellness:

• Refer back to the wellness components. Change won’t happen overnight. And you shouldn’t expect yourself to implement, let alone remember, each of the eight components of wellness after reading them once. Make a note in your phone (or keep this blog post handy) so that you can check in on which components you need to work more on.
• Schedule your wellness activities. The components of wellness listed above are intended to create a holistically healthy life. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to do something in every single category every single day. As a starting point, try to spend 30 minutes a day on self-care activities. Creating a weekly calendar of wellness goals is another great way to make sure you’re striving toward optimal wellness.
• When you “mess up,” don’t overcompensate. If you find yourself feeling off track, use your next decision-making moment to make the best choice you can. For instance, let’s say you overeat and feel poorly about your physical wellness. That doesn’t mean you should give up on your physical wellbeing goals. It also doesn’t mean you should compensate in other aspects of physical wellness (like going to work out). Instead, give yourself grace and ask what you could do to finish your day on a positive note. Perhaps you could focus on your spiritual wellness by meditating, your social wellbeing by calling a friend, or your intellectual wellness by doing something creative. 
• Share the 8 components of wellness with a friend. Commit to complete wellness with a friend and you’ve already got a head start on social wellbeing! You’ll be able to check in with each other, share your struggles, and keep each other motivated (that’s a check for emotional wellness too!). 

 

Overall, remember that total wellness is a life-long commitment. It won’t happen tomorrow, but forming new habits will eventually become second-nature. Share this post with your wellness buddy and get started on your journey to total wellness!

And if you’re interested in learning how we can help your employees achieve overall wellness, give us a call today!