In this second article on the question, "What is wellness?" we'll briefly explore two wellness models you see around a lot today.
One quite popular model shows up all over -- and appears to be particularly often used by various universities. It was developed by Dr. Bill Hettler of the National Wellness Institute (which does not appear to have any government affiliation).
This "Six Dimensional Wellnss Model" focuses on domains of experience. In other words, this model encourages you to look at all the different aspects of your life and assess your wellness in each area. The main idea here is building a well-balanced life.
1. Social: emphasizes your relationship with and contribution to your environment and community. This includes relationships with people, nature, and your general living space.
2. Occupational: emphasizes your satisfaction with your work. It's predicted that things will go better for you when your work matches your values and natural gifts, skills, and talents. It's also predicted that things will go better for you when you develop skills rather than remaining inactive and uninvolved in life.
3. Spiritual: emphasizes your search for meaning and purpose in your life, and encourages you to live life in accordance with your values.
4. Physical: emphasizes health and fitness behaviors including healthy food choices, physical activity, and personal safety precautions.
5. Intellectual: emphasizes the personal satisfaction and sense of well-being that comes with continued learning and creative pursuits. It also emphasizes the pursuit of knowledge that helps you be proactive in solving problems in any domain, rather than taking a "wait and worry" approach.
6. Emotional: emphasizes the awareness and acceptance of your feelings, along with managing feelings effectively.
Another interesting wellness model is that promoted by Dr. Donald Ardell. He appears to have revised his model several times over the years. That says to me that life is dynamic, viewpoints change, and Dr. Ardell is still thinking! His most current model features 3 domains and 14 skill areas. The 3 domains are these:
1. Physical domain (including exercise & fitness, nutrition, appearance, adaptations / challenges, lifestyle habits)
2. Mental domain (including emotional intelligence, effective decisions, stress management, factual knowledge, mental health)
3. Meaning & purpose domain (including meaning & purpose, relationships, humor, play)
A lot of people I speak with are pretty clear on the areas of their lives that they're concerned by. Yet at the same time, these things overlap, and we all have our blind spots. So just for the wellness of it, why not run your life quickly through each of the models we've just introduced and see if you find a stuck point you weren't fully conscious of?
If you're ready to take on a new wellness-promoting project in your life, be sure to check out our Wellness Coaching options.
Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
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