What Are the Dimensions of Wellness?

Wellness is defined as “the quality or state of being in good health, especially as an actively sought goal.” Being in a state of wellness means striving to practice healthy habits in order to reach your full potential.

At Astral at Auburn, our Encompass self and wellness program is the foundation of our senior living community in Auburn, Indiana. Our life enrichment programs provide residents with the tools and support to achieve their personal wellness goals. 

So what are the dimensions of wellness? When looking at wellness, it’s important to understand how the seven dimensions of wellness contribute to good health and quality of life. Here’s our guide to these dimensions to help you better understand each aspect of your wellness and how senior living can help.

The 7 Dimensions of Wellness

Many people believe that wellness revolves around exercise and diet, and while both contribute to good health, the full spectrum of wellness is more complex.

The dimensions of wellness focus on aspects outside of physical health, going deeper into the things that drive us in life, give us motivation and provide positivity in our lives.

Emotional

Emotions are the tools we use to cope with difficult moments, express how we feel and allow us to appreciate the feelings of others. “Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life’s stresses and adapt to change and difficult times (nih.gov).”

Managing emotions in a constructive way helps us view the world around us in a positive and engaging light, creating a balance in our awareness and passions in life.

Physical

Living independently is the main goal for many people, and physical wellness is essential to a safe, independent lifestyle. Many habitual changes can be implemented to improve and maintain our physical health, including getting enough physical activity.

Occupational

After retirement, many older adults can feel like they’ve lost the daily drive and motivation they once had in the workplace. However, it’s important to note that occupational wellness doesn’t just revolve around one’s career. Instead, this dimension of wellness recognizes the importance of satisfaction, enrichment and meaning through work.

Older adults can contribute to their community, peers, and their own wellbeing in many occupational ways. For example, by volunteering, mentoring and participating in vocational hobbies, it’s easy to fulfill the occupational spaces in your life to improve wellness.

Social

Humans are social creatures by nature, but as people age, it can be challenging to get enough social connection for various reasons. For example, changes in mobility or a lack of transportation can impact a person’s ability to stay connected with others.

Social wellness involves building healthy and supportive relationships and fostering a genuine connection with those around you. Senior living in Auburn is an excellent way to reap the benefits of socialization through joining clubs, talking with friends over dinner and finding new opportunities to meet like-minded people in your community.

Spiritual

Spiritual wellness doesn’t necessarily have to do with personal faith or belief but rather with finding purpose in life. Astral at Auburn understands how essential finding fulfillment can be to a person’s lifestyle, so our community focuses on providing the tools residents need to discover new opportunities for purposeful living. 

Guided by personal values, spirituality is what connects individuals to the world around them, as well as to a higher meaning in life. Through personal meditation, mindful exercise and spending time in nature, a person can be inspired to find the purpose that drives them. 

Intellectual

Creative pursuits, intellectually stimulating activities and learning new things can help individuals find even more purpose in life and help to promote cognitive wellness. 

Giving your brain a workout is essential for healthy aging, as it can help to stave off early signs of dementia and memory loss. For instance, journaling, painting, reading books, taking courses and challenging yourself with puzzles and games are all ways to stimulate intellectual wellness.

Environmental

By understanding how your social and natural environments contribute to your overall wellness, you can become more aware of the effects of your daily habits on the physical environment. For example, contributing to the wellbeing of the planet can help you feel more connected to the world around you and help you feel a sense of accomplishment and healing. 

Astral at Auburn created the Encompass program to help residents get in touch with all seven dimensions of wellness while also focusing on five areas of self – health, endurance, knowledge, wisdom and happiness. Choosing senior living in Auburn, Indiana, means you’re one step closer to finding opportunities to implement each dimension of wellness into your lifestyle!

If you’re ready to learn more about our senior living community in Auburn, Indiana, give us a call at 260-525-3157 or contact us online!