Wellness - What Does It Mean To You?

By Lisa VanWilliams

Wellness is described as healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It is a view of health that emphasizes the state of the entire being and its ongoing development. It is awareness and the initiative to improve oneself by making better choices.  Are you the happiest and healthiest you can be? It's a work in progress for most of us. Find your balance to achieve optimal health.

What has a big impact on your wellness? Several factors such as social, emotional, physical, intellectual, environmental, occupational, and spiritual may affect your wellness while in pursuit of happiness.

Social -  the ability to function among others in this crazy place called Earth. Ones ability to establish an maintain positive relationships with people.

Emotional - the ability to understand and cope with the challenges life can bring. The ability to share feelings through the highs and lows of this thing called life.

Physical - the ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows one to function. Things like making appointments with doctors, eating a balanced diet, and getting some daily exercise are behaviors that influence your wellness.

Intellectual - the ability to open your mind to new ideas and experiences that can be applied to improve your own life.

Environmental - the ability to recognize our own responsibility for the world around us. The ability to have a positive impact on the environment around you.

Occupational - the ability to get personal fulfillment from your job or career while still maintaining balance in your life.

Spiritual - the ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives. Values and actions.