Occupational wellness

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.

It is good to know in this difficult economy that occupational wellness is not limited to a particular job. Luckily it is much broader and has more to do with an attitude toward work than a specific work situation.

It does relate to personal satisfaction in the workplace and that is impacted by the state of the economy. In hard times where layoffs are all too frequent it can be hard to feel comfortable and secure. You know the prayer to have the wisdom to distinguish what we can change from what we can't. Even if we can't change what others do, we can control our responses.

That's a lot of what this dimension is about. Imagine the best of playing fields -- economic boom times, you own your own business or love where you are employed, you are passionate about your work and the money and bene's are great. Even then there is constant flux. There are forces at play, customers, colleagues, partners and bosses to satisfy, changing landscapes in abundance. Even in the best of times the components of this wellness dimension will serves us well: good relationships, personal satisfaction, proper balance, our personal best performance.

In these times where many work with an invisible axe lurking in the office, the components of occupational wellness can make a huge difference. Where others are stressed and anxious, a calm and positive energy can be very healing. Where others may already be job hunting in their minds just in case, a person who resonates connection to the workplace and to their colleagues can stand out as a model. Where relations in the work place are strained and competitive, a person projecting well-being can be a healing force.

Even one person projecting a sense of well-being in the midst of chaos can help soothe frazzled nerves. Should the axe actually fall, if there is the possibility of keeping one employee it is most likely to be the one who is calm, competent and engaged. I we are let go, we still need to deal with the workplace as we job hunt, network and interview, and all those characteristics becme even more important.

Leaving the economy aside, occupational wellness entails another component - balance. At the end of a life, with one foot in the grave I don't believe anyone ever said - "Darn, I am filled with regret. I should have worked more hours when I had the chance." But how many people regret not spending enough time with their children when they grew up too fast, or sharing precious moments with loved ones or playing, dancing under the stars or walking on the beach?

I don't even want to know, but I invite Americans in particular to consider this point because the American work norm does not easily lend itself to a life in balance. It leads to seeking what the economists refer to as 'productivity.' In human speak that equates to something like "And just how many last drops were you able to squeeze out of that lemon?"
As always, as in each of the dimensions it's up to us. We look at the larger picture, make our decisions and take responsibility for our choices.