People often think about wellness in terms of physical health — nutrition, exercise, weight management, etc., but it is so much more. Wellness is a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fueling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Although it always includes striving for health, it’s more about living life fully , and is “a lifestyle and a personalized approach to living life in a way that… allows you to become the best kind of person that your potentials, circumstances, and fate will allow”. This month, we dive into the 7 dimensions of wellness and how you can tie them into your goals that you set for the New Year.
The 7 dimensions of wellness are as follows: spiritual, physical, emotional, career, intellectual, environmental, and social. Here is a list of what all 7 dimensions mean, and how they can tie into your new years goals:
Spiritual: Spiritual wellness involves having a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It includes exploring your values, beliefs, and ethics and aligning them with your actions. Goals for the New Year could be spend 10 minutes daily in meditation or prayer, read one book or listen to a podcast on personal growth or spirituality every month, volunteer for a cause that aligns with your values at least once a month, and start a gratitude journal and write three things you're thankful for each day.
Physical: Physical wellness refers to maintaining a healthy body through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and avoiding harmful habits. Some goals for the New Year could be exercise at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week (e.g., walking, yoga, strength training), aiming to drink 8 glasses of water daily, plan and prepare balanced meals at least 5 days a week, and commit to 7–8 hours of quality sleep each night.
Emotional: Emotional wellness focuses on understanding, managing, and expressing feelings in a healthy way, as well as building resilience and self-awareness. Some goals to set for the New Year could be to practice mindfulness or journaling weekly to process emotions, seek therapy or counseling to work through past challenges or stressors, committing to one act of self-care weekly (e.g., a relaxing bath, reading for fun), or learning to set healthy boundaries in relationships.
Career: Career wellness involves finding satisfaction and enrichment in your work or daily responsibilities. It includes maintaining a healthy work-life balance and pursuing growth opportunities. Some goals attached to Career wellness could be to set one professional development goal (e.g., learn a new skill, attend a workshop), define and maintain clear boundaries between work and personal life (e.g., no work emails after 6 PM), update your résumé and LinkedIn profile to reflect your achievements, and network with one new professional contact monthly
Intellectual: Intellectual wellness encourages continuous learning, creativity, and mental growth. It’s about engaging in stimulating activities and seeking out opportunities to expand knowledge. Goals for the New Year could be to read one new book every month, dedicate time each week to learn a new hobby or skill (e.g., cooking, coding, painting), solve puzzles, play strategy games, or take up activities like chess to challenge your mind, or take an online course or attend a workshop in a subject that interests you.
Environmental: Environmental wellness involves living in harmony with the earth and creating surroundings that support well-being. This includes protecting the environment and making your space safe and comfortable. Environmental goals could include reducing your carbon footprint by using reusable bags, bottles, or containers, decluttering and organize your living space each month, spending at least 30 minutes in nature weekly (e.g., parks, hiking), or starting a small garden or care for indoor plants.
Social: Social wellness is about building and maintaining healthy relationships, fostering connections, and contributing to your community. Some social goals could be to schedule monthly meetups with friends or family, join a club, class, or group that aligns with your interests to meet new people, volunteer for a local organization or participate in community events, or practice active listening and improve communication in your relationships.
Setting small, achievable goals in each dimension can help you create a well-rounded plan for personal growth in the new year. As you step into the new year, embracing the 7 dimensions of wellness can help you cultivate a more balanced and fulfilling life. By setting meaningful goals in each area, you’re not only investing in your overall well-being but also creating a roadmap for personal growth. Remember, wellness is about progress, not perfection. Take it one step at a time, celebrate your wins, and stay committed to the journey. Here’s to a healthier, happier, and more vibrant you in the year ahead!
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