Goooood morning!
For our last Wellness Wednesday, this one will be full of resources about the 8 dimensions of wellness. They are:
1. Emotional
2. Spiritual
3. Intellectual
4. Physical
5. Environmental
6. Financial
7. Occupational
8. Social
Check out the link below, followed by a breakdown of each dimension, with additional resources.
The 8 Dimensions of Wellness: Where Do You Fit In?
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/8-dimensions-of-wellness-where-do-you-fit-in-0527164
1. Emotional wellness is the ability to cope effectively with life and build satisfying relationships with others. It helps you feel confident and in control of your behaviors and feelings. Your emotional wellness can be improved by doing activities that involve your senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. Listen to music, eat your favorite food, play with your pet, watch your favorite movie or the sunset, visit your friends and extended family virtually through facetime or zoom.
The National Institute of Health has more suggestions on improving your emotional health here:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/emotional-wellness-toolkit
2. Spiritual wellness is related to the values and beliefs that help you find meaning and purpose. Signs of strong spiritual health include having clear values, a sense of self-confidence and a feeling of inner peace. To improve spiritual wellness, some people volunteer, some pray (and church services are online now to make it more accessible), some meditate, others find comfort spending time in nature. You may be helped by finding a quiet space where you can be alone and think or it may feel like a space of playful curiosity. It is about allowing experiences that offer you hope, purpose, and meaning. Think about what makes you feel purposeful. Is it prayer? Is it helping others? Caring for animals? Being kind? What do you do that helps you find meaning and builds up hope?
3. Intellectual wellness is important for everyone. It is not just about the classes you take or an IQ score, but rather it’s being open to new ideas, seeking personal growth through learning new skills, being creative, or exploring new activities. Gaining and maintaining intellectual wellness will keep the brain stimulated and stave off boredom and loneliness. The brain is like any other muscle in our body, it needs to be exercised to do its best work!
Some ideas for improving your intellectual wellness include:
* Doing games or puzzles that stimulate the brain such as crosswords, Sudoku, brain teasers, or logic games.
* Reading for fun – yes, for fun!
* Talk to someone who has a difference of opinion and ask them questions, get curious.
* Learn a new skill or find an online class.
4. Physical wellness is not just about exercise, it is also about incorporating activities that improve your physical health overall. This includes learning about nutrition, eating healthy food, moving your body, and avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
Here are some steps for improving your physical wellness:
* Exercise at least three times a week for 20-30 minutes.
* Walk whenever possible.
* Get consistent sleep.
* Limit or reduce sugar.
What is one way you would like to improve your physical wellness this summer, even just a little bit?
For more ideas, visit the National Institutes of Health at:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/physical-wellness-toolkit
5. Environmental wellness encourages us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of the Earth and our personal environment. We can’t always choose what is in the environments where we live but we can take steps to make them safer or limit our exposure to things that are unhealthy.
Some examples are:
* Monitoring the air quality and knowing when it is unsafe to be outside for long periods of time.
* In hot weather, hydrating by drinking enough water and exercising in the early morning or later in the evening.
* At home, use cleaning products that are better for us and the earth.
6. Financial wellness is learning how to manage financial expenses. Financial stress is common for many adults, so learning how to manage money now can help you better prepare for your future. For some of you, you might be thinking, ‘I’m not old enough to work and earn my own money yet’. However, many teens are given money as gifts, an allowance, and money for lunch and snacks.
You can start tracking and budgeting that gifted money now. Here are a couple ideas:
Try setting a spending budget with the money you have now:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/oh-my-cost/id1077767842
For middle schoolers, but older students can also benefit:
https://www.opploans.com/oppu/articles/middle-school-financial-literacy/
7. Occupational wellness is the ability to find a balance between work (school) and leisure time (free time.) It involves knowing how to manage your stress and getting along with your co-workers or fellow classmates.
Some ideas include:
* Find the positive. Try not to let the bad parts of your day impact your entire day at school. Every school and class has its challenges, so try to focus on the things you do well and what you can do to make your experience better.
* Plan for the future. Remember your long term goals while you get through your day. Graduating from high school, choosing a good job, college - have an idea of your long game to help be successful in the short game.
* Know to ask for help. Reach out to friends that are supportive, ask your teachers for help when you are confused, find other adults on campus (like a school counselor) who can help you navigate the rough spots.
8. Social wellness refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others. Our relationships can offer support during difficult times. Making connections with others improves our well-being and can even extend our lives. Think of creative ways to get involved with others during physical distancing using technology to help!
For ideas and tips, click on this National Institute of Health link:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/social-wellness-toolkit
Like I said, this is long! Take your time with it, revisit it over the summer, have fun with it!
Have an awesome day!!!
-Ms. Kierstead
For our last Wellness Wednesday, this one will be full of resources about the 8 dimensions of wellness. They are:
1. Emotional
2. Spiritual
3. Intellectual
4. Physical
5. Environmental
6. Financial
7. Occupational
8. Social
Check out the link below, followed by a breakdown of each dimension, with additional resources.
The 8 Dimensions of Wellness: Where Do You Fit In?
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/8-dimensions-of-wellness-where-do-you-fit-in-0527164
1. Emotional wellness is the ability to cope effectively with life and build satisfying relationships with others. It helps you feel confident and in control of your behaviors and feelings. Your emotional wellness can be improved by doing activities that involve your senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound. Listen to music, eat your favorite food, play with your pet, watch your favorite movie or the sunset, visit your friends and extended family virtually through facetime or zoom.
The National Institute of Health has more suggestions on improving your emotional health here:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/emotional-wellness-toolkit
2. Spiritual wellness is related to the values and beliefs that help you find meaning and purpose. Signs of strong spiritual health include having clear values, a sense of self-confidence and a feeling of inner peace. To improve spiritual wellness, some people volunteer, some pray (and church services are online now to make it more accessible), some meditate, others find comfort spending time in nature. You may be helped by finding a quiet space where you can be alone and think or it may feel like a space of playful curiosity. It is about allowing experiences that offer you hope, purpose, and meaning. Think about what makes you feel purposeful. Is it prayer? Is it helping others? Caring for animals? Being kind? What do you do that helps you find meaning and builds up hope?
3. Intellectual wellness is important for everyone. It is not just about the classes you take or an IQ score, but rather it’s being open to new ideas, seeking personal growth through learning new skills, being creative, or exploring new activities. Gaining and maintaining intellectual wellness will keep the brain stimulated and stave off boredom and loneliness. The brain is like any other muscle in our body, it needs to be exercised to do its best work!
Some ideas for improving your intellectual wellness include:
* Doing games or puzzles that stimulate the brain such as crosswords, Sudoku, brain teasers, or logic games.
* Reading for fun – yes, for fun!
* Talk to someone who has a difference of opinion and ask them questions, get curious.
* Learn a new skill or find an online class.
4. Physical wellness is not just about exercise, it is also about incorporating activities that improve your physical health overall. This includes learning about nutrition, eating healthy food, moving your body, and avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.
Here are some steps for improving your physical wellness:
* Exercise at least three times a week for 20-30 minutes.
* Walk whenever possible.
* Get consistent sleep.
* Limit or reduce sugar.
What is one way you would like to improve your physical wellness this summer, even just a little bit?
For more ideas, visit the National Institutes of Health at:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/physical-wellness-toolkit
5. Environmental wellness encourages us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of the Earth and our personal environment. We can’t always choose what is in the environments where we live but we can take steps to make them safer or limit our exposure to things that are unhealthy.
Some examples are:
* Monitoring the air quality and knowing when it is unsafe to be outside for long periods of time.
* In hot weather, hydrating by drinking enough water and exercising in the early morning or later in the evening.
* At home, use cleaning products that are better for us and the earth.
6. Financial wellness is learning how to manage financial expenses. Financial stress is common for many adults, so learning how to manage money now can help you better prepare for your future. For some of you, you might be thinking, ‘I’m not old enough to work and earn my own money yet’. However, many teens are given money as gifts, an allowance, and money for lunch and snacks.
You can start tracking and budgeting that gifted money now. Here are a couple ideas:
Try setting a spending budget with the money you have now:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/oh-my-cost/id1077767842
For middle schoolers, but older students can also benefit:
https://www.opploans.com/oppu/articles/middle-school-financial-literacy/
7. Occupational wellness is the ability to find a balance between work (school) and leisure time (free time.) It involves knowing how to manage your stress and getting along with your co-workers or fellow classmates.
Some ideas include:
* Find the positive. Try not to let the bad parts of your day impact your entire day at school. Every school and class has its challenges, so try to focus on the things you do well and what you can do to make your experience better.
* Plan for the future. Remember your long term goals while you get through your day. Graduating from high school, choosing a good job, college - have an idea of your long game to help be successful in the short game.
* Know to ask for help. Reach out to friends that are supportive, ask your teachers for help when you are confused, find other adults on campus (like a school counselor) who can help you navigate the rough spots.
8. Social wellness refers to the relationships we have and how we interact with others. Our relationships can offer support during difficult times. Making connections with others improves our well-being and can even extend our lives. Think of creative ways to get involved with others during physical distancing using technology to help!
For ideas and tips, click on this National Institute of Health link:
https://www.nih.gov/health-information/social-wellness-toolkit
Like I said, this is long! Take your time with it, revisit it over the summer, have fun with it!
Have an awesome day!!!
-Ms. Kierstead