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Learn & Unlearn: Anti-racism Resource Guide

Lesson 2: The 8 Elements of Wellness

Original post on @saic.maffairs posted 11/7/2020.

Foundation: Wellness

Lead Question: Wellness or well-being is a complex, multidimensional, interconnected and evolving process

Well-being is actually a combination of 8 elements: “physical/nutritional, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, financial, and environmental” and occupational wellness.1

  • Physical/Nutritional: Focuses on physical activity, diet, sleep and nutrition.
  • Emotional: Focuses on navigating through your feelings and being able to share those feelings with others.
  • Social: Focuses on developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well developed support system.
  • Spiritual: Focuses on expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life. 
  • Intellectual: Focuses on creating abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills. 
  • Financial: Focuses on having satisfaction with current and future financial situations. 
  • Environmental: Focuses on your personal surrounding and how your environment supports your health, wellbeing and safety.
  • Occupational: Focuses on personal satisfaction and enrichment derived from one's work.2

Quote

“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit - the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being.”- Greg Anderson

“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”- B.K.S. Iyengar

To Read

To Research

To Listen

To Watch

To Follow

Mental Wellness Collective @thementalwellnesscollective
The Therapy Blackprint @thetherapyblackprint
Simone Saunders @thecognitivecorner

To Reflect

What do I feel when I feel most in-tune with myself? 
What distractions get in the way of me prioritizing my health and wellness?
What does each part of my body, each finger, each foot, each vertebrae feel in this moment?
What emotions, thoughts am I holding on to? 

To Act

Use this worksheet to keep track of your 8 elements of wellness ranking your satisfaction in each category.

Sources

Works Cited

  1. Jenna Templeton, “The 8 Pillars of Holistic Health and Wellness,” Ask the Scientist, 2020
  2. J. Flowers Health, “8 Dimensions of Wellness - Online Test and Worksheet,” J. Flowers Health Institute, 2020