29 Sep 2010 The wellness wheel

The five main components of wellness are physical, social, spiritual, emotional and intellectual. How one lives life determines how “well” they are in each category. For example, if an individual is sedentary, smokes, eats a high fat diet, is obese and has excessive, unmanaged stress levels, then this individual’s physical wellness score would be very low.

Lifestyle is a major factor in determining one’s physical component of wellness. After being in the fitness field for more than 20 years, I am convinced that being a consistent exerciser is one of the most important tools that can be utilized to achieving a higher level of wellness. If you are moving, you are improving!

Individuals who take part in a regular exercise program have a lower risk for heart attacks and strokes and will have more energy to accomplish daily tasks and duties. Their body composition, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance will be at a much healthier state than non-exercisers. The physical component of the wellness wheel is a critical part of achieving optimal wellness.

The second “spoke” of the wellness wheel is spiritual. It deals with a person’s ability to live with a value system and a code of conduct that comes from faith in a spiritual being. Christians, for example, focus their faith and living by looking at Jesus Christ and what He has done for the entire world. For Christians, the Bible is the supreme “How to Live Your Life” book and is used to provide comfort, hope and peace.

In terms of overall wellness, having a strong spiritual dimension is very important in living a fulfilling life and having an inner peace that is helpful in the daily struggles and hassles that we face.

The third spoke involves emotional health. Individuals that are free from depression or emotional/mental illnesses are considered to be emotionally healthy and probably are good at handling stressful situations. They are generally happy, positive people. These folks see the glass half full instead of half empty.

Social wellness is the fourth dimension of wellness, and it involves relationships between individuals. Socially healthy individuals are characterized by having a network of friends and family members that are available when needed. Research shows that individuals with a strong network of family and friends are less prone to depression and loneliness, which are hazardous to one’s health.

Intellectual wellness is the last portion of the wellness wheel. This is really an indicator of how well informed one is when making daily decisions. It basically is the opposite of being ignorant and uninformed. Individuals who score fairly strong in this part of the wellness scorecard are probably avid readers and generally enjoy learning. “Knowledge is power” is a theme for folks who are considered intellectually “well.”

All five components directly impact a person’s quality of life and how they view life as a whole. People who are physically healthy, have a good network of family and friends, are connected to a church home and are informed and emotionally stable will most likely have a life that is fulfilling and rewarding. The more you are into wellness, the more positive your outlook on life will be. Wellness is being positive and is the antithesis of illness and negativity.

The key is to strive to achieve a healthy balance in all five components of wellness. For example, one can be in really good physical shape, but they may be lonely or lack a church family.

This scenario would be considered unbalanced when looking at the “big picture” of wellness.

A healthy balance of the five dimensions of wellness is desirable and can help you become more satisfied with your life as a whole. As the 60s band The Moody Blues once wrote, “It’s a Question of Balance.”