What can you do to improve each dimension? Read over each dimension and pick one suggestion that you can put on your Wellness Wheel Let’s look at the EIGHT Dimensions. Take notes on each one and after think of someone in your life who is strong in this dimension.

Emotional Wellness Definition - involves acknowledging feelings and improving skills for self-care, relaxation and stress reduction.  Engage in positive self-talk. Seek emotional support when necessary. If you like animals, get a pet—they love unconditionally. Pamper yourself regularly—take a walk, soak in a bath, get a massage, daydream. Do you have lots of stress, anger, depression, blame others?

Environmental Wellness Definition - understanding and becoming conscientious of one's impact on the environment. Ride your bike, walk or take public transportation instead of driving. Recycle and compost. Plant and tend a garden. Use natural cleaning products. Choose your own healthy habit in this category. Wasteful? Are you aware of your impact on our environment?

Intellectual Wellness Definition - expanding knowledge/improving skills through scholastic, technical, or cultural endeavors. Learn/practice a challenging new skill. Delve into current events. Read a classic or intellectually stimulating book. Attend a lecture or watch/listen to an educational show. Learn a new language. Do you like learning new ideas? Curious about the world around you?

Occupational Wellness Definition - finding personal satisfaction and enrichment from paid or unpaid work endeavors. Create a balance between work and leisure. Practice safety every day—Think safe. Act safe. Be safe. De-clutter and organize your home or workplace. Find ways to make your vocation/avocation challenging and meaningful, or find another opportunity. Do you care or want to explore options or do you hate the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

Physical Wellness Definition - maintaining a healthy body through exercising, eating well, and getting adequate sleep/rest.   Eat 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. Increase whole grains (pasta, rice, flour, etc.) to replace refined grain options. Maintain a healthy weight—if overweight, reduce caloric intake and/or increase physical activity. Get 30 - 60 minutes of physical activity daily, including balance training and weight-bearing exercise. Get adequate rest—try to get 7 - 8 hours of sleep per night and/or take a nap during the day. If you smoke or chew tobacco, start a cessation program.

Social Wellness Definition - developing and nurturing relationships with others and creating a support system. Become active in a club, group, or organization. Call or write to far-away friends or family. Cultivate new friendships outside of your family. Turn off the TV/computer/cell and interact with people. Maintain regular contact with a lonely person.

Spiritual Wellness involves seeking meaning and purpose through religious faith, values, ethics, and/or moral beliefs.  Deepen your existing spiritual or religious commitment or seek out a new tradition. Learn/practice meditation, yoga or tai chi. Take time to quietly reflect each day. Forgive freely. Choose your own healthy habit in this category. Do you feel your life has meaning or purpose?

Financial Wellness Definition - managing your financial wellbeing, by being a responsible spender and managing your debt. Be aware of your financial situation. Do not take on more debt/spending that you can handle. Set up a budget and stick to it. Plan to save 10% of your income for emergencies. Do not understand budgeting nor finances. Saving for future purchases.

Are you balanced? 1. Complete the Wellness Self-Assessment (Occupational and Financial are combined) 2. Label each spoke of your wheel (8 dimensions). 3. Place a dot on each spoke to indicate how satisfied you are doing in that area. 4. In each dimension, record what you are doing well (2+) and what you need to work on (2+). 5. Include 1+ visual/symbol.