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The 6 dimensions of wellness go beyond health into a journey of personal transformation. It allows you to be more mindfully aware, increasing your capacity for life, living, love, and pleasure. Wellness is all about being intentional with who we are, our passions, health, and learning to manage it all in this crazy world. For the six dimensions of wellness, I added a scripture that contributes to the definition of each.
Physical Wellness
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
Physical wellness is about physical activity and healthy eating habits, and a consistent sleep routine that changes us. By choosing healthy food options such as green veggies or swapping junk food for a healthier alternative, we care for our bodies. We will begin to feel better and have more energy during the day. If we put effort into making healthy choices, we feel good and ultimately glorify God.
Tip: Getting in shape does not have to be boring. Think about physical activity that you LOVE, and do more of that.
Related: How to Make a Deliciously Easy Green Juice
Emotional Wellness
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
Proverbs 23:7 NIV
This dimension is all about self-care, learning stress reduction techniques, and managing our thoughts. Emotional wellness is a little more difficult for me; I am still working on not making decisions based on how I feel. When we take control of our feelings, we can make better choices. Our thoughts have the power to influence our actions and ultimately steer our life positively or negatively.
Tip: We can manage our thoughts by frequently speaking positive affirmations over our lives.
Related: 3 Tips for Parenting a Teen with Depression
Social Wellness
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
This bible verse reminds me of getting together with people because we are hardwired to interact with others, especially during tough times. I consider myself an introvert and appreciate a few close friends. In general, having friendships and a support system makes a huge difference to our wellness. This dimension is all about nurturing your relationships and fostering genuine connections with those around you. There is value in having friends that are there for us in our time of need.
Related: How to deal with bitterness in our relationships.
Intellectual Wellness
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Proverbs 2:10
Intellectual wellness is all about engaging in creative activities that encourage learning. Mental stimulation can be in the form of personal hobbies, scholastics, and new ideas to help in the community. God gave us our minds and intellect to gain a better appreciation of this world. As our understanding increases, we will gain the ability to see the relationship between ourselves, others, and the environment. Our calling is to learn and share our knowledge to help others.
Tip: If you are feeling emptiness or a lack of purpose, these feelings may be telling you it’s time to do something creative!
Environmental Wellness
The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.
Psalm 89:11 NIV
If God is the Creator, that makes us stewards of all the resources. As good stewards of his creation, we have a responsibility to care for our surroundings and enjoy them. Earth is full of ecological mechanisms and environmental phenomena–how great and mighty is the work of his hand! Spend more time in the outdoors, go for a daily walk, and surround yourself with nature’s beauty.
Without neglecting your home. A few things we can do is to de-clutter, bring nature indoors, or grow a kitchen garden. Our awareness of natural resources and their use glorify God, and we are also making sure these resources are available for future generations.
Tip: We can conserve energy by turning off lights and unplugging electronics when not in use.
Spiritual Wellness
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV
Our spiritual journey is a lifelong process. It looks different for each person since we are all on different paths. Our values, beliefs, background, and experiences all shape our worldview and who we are. To connect spiritually is to be in touch with your higher self or what you view as most important. I believe spiritual wellness is the ribbon that wraps all 6 dimensions together into a beautiful bow.
For many years I neglected my spiritual journey to wellness. It wasn’t until I was 25 when I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ that I began to flourish spiritually through reading God’s word and practicing meditation. Little by little, I was able to figure out the meaning of life and my purpose. I owe it all to God. I do not consider myself perfect by any means, but still learning and evolving daily.
Tip: Your spiritual life is augmented when you live in the present.
Related: What must I do to inherit Eternal life
To read more about the 6 dimensions of wellness and gain a deeper appreciation of how mindfulness opens doors to living with meaning and pleasure, I recommend Foundations of Wellness. I love the book because each chapter contains meditation and mindfulness activities that fully grasp the importance of balance.
Let me know in the comments if there is a dimension you struggle with the most.
♥ Blessings!
