Dimensions of Wellness

The most common approach to understanding the dimensions of wellness follows the paradigm developed in 1976 by Dr. Bill Hettler. He created a 6-Dimensional model that required balance in all areas of the hexagon.

In the more than 30 years that have passed, the only significant change is that some organizations add a seventh category for environmental wellness.

Regardless, the basic breakdown is pretty similar across the board and goes something like this:

Social wellness refers to successful relationships with others. This includes friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances. It entails a sense of connectedness and well-being in our relationships and community.

Intellectual wellness refers to a flexible, open mind and creativity. It entails adaptability to new ideas and a keen desire to learn new concepts and skills, an engagement in the world around us and a willingness to seek out learning challenges.

Spiritual wellness refers to an inner sense of harmony, direction and belief that our life has meaning. It entails living within our ethical boundaries, and a connection to a larger, universal sense of the value of all life.

Physical wellness refers to a responsive, healthy body for our age. It entails good nutrition, regular exercise, preventative care and a positive connection to our body.

Emotional wellness refers to positive self-image and self-esteem. It entails the ability to cope successfully with life's challenges, understand our emotions and communicate them in a positive and productive way.

Occupational wellness refers to a feeling of personal satisfaction at the workplace. It entails good relationships with others and a feeling of being a contributing member of society through satisfying and meaningful work we enjoy. It also entails keeping the rest of our lives, and the other dimensions of wellness in balance.

Environmental wellness refers to accepting our responsibility for stewardship of the Earth and its biosphere. It entails awareness of the limitations of our natural resources and the importance of biodiversity. It is also an awareness that we can have a positive impact, be it in our homes, offices, communities or globally.

Diving deeper:

This model works well because it is broad, rather vague and allows for expansion and overlap. Maybe the hexagon or 'wheel's' strengths are its weaknesses. Or maybe it is expressing a horizontal look at the dimensions, and if you want to go deeper you've got to dive in.

Some questions to consider are:

Is each of these areas actually equal? Is an evenly divided wheel an accurate image?

What happens if there is an imbalance and we do not experience wellness in one or two of these areas, but we do in others? How do we rebalance? Can we transfer strengths and well-being from one area and use it to help lift us in another area?

Is there something deeper than the wheel? Is there a guiding principle we can call on that applies to all the dimensions of wellness?

Connection plays a central role throughout each area of the wheel. Is that the secret to wellness?

There's a lot we'll be exploring. We most certainly are putting our own spin on the old wheel. And you, what do you think? We'd love to hear from you.

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Connection plays a central role throughout each area of the wheel. Is that the secret to wellness?
There’s a lot we’ll be exploring. What do you think? We’d love to hear from you.