The Wellness Wheel: A Tool for Understanding Whole Person Health

 

You are on a journey of wellness. And wellness means maintaining balance in all aspects of life - spiritual, physical, emotional, social, intellectual and vocational. The Wellness Wheel provides a picture of this process. It reminds us that being well is about being in balance and that wellness begins as you are claimed by Christ through the waters of Baptism.

 

Spiritual well-being

Loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength impacts everything you do and everything you are.   Spiritual health is the “rim” of the wellness wheel that provides stability on your journey of wellness. Your    relationship with God is nurtured through daily prayer, worship, Bible study and devotion. Knowing that God is always present and has given us the gift of grace through our Savoir Jesus keeps us grounded.

 

Social well-being

We were created to be social persons and God calls us to help and love each other. We are nourished by the love and intimacy of our family and friends. Isolation increases the risks for depression and premature death. Whether we are introverted or extroverted, regular social contact is essential. Being socially well involves healthy relationships with family, friends, co-workers, and others. Studies have also shown that service to     others actually lengthens life.

 

Intellectual well-being

While we cannot be certain that we will never experience dementia or similar conditions as we age, using our minds keeps us alert and active. The old adage is true, use it or lose it! Always remain curious. We can stretch our minds by experiencing new things - music, art, hobbies, or travel. Pushing ourselves at work by seeking out new responsibilities and pursuing lifelong learning also keeps us healthy and growing.

 

Vocational well-being

Having a sense of purpose is an important factor in living well. We all want to feel that we are using the gifts God has given us to make this world a better place. Staying aware of our gifts and talents and making good use of continuing education opportunities to hone our skills is an important part of our walk of wellness. These gifts can be invested not only in our occupation, but also through volunteer activities in our church and community.

Physical well-being

We are marvelously created by God. While we are not all born perfectly healthy and no one makes it through life without injury or illness, by God’s grace we can live well even in the midst of disabilities, injuries, or       illness. As we know, the gift of physical health can be negatively impacted as a result of unhealthy lifestyles and behaviors. The Wellness Wheel is a great reminder to care for our body through good nutrition, physical activity, and avoiding high risk behavior.

 

Emotional well-being

Being emotionally well means feeling the full range of emotions and expressing those emotions appropriately. Not feeling emotion can be a sign of stress or depression, just as having emotions that you cannot control may be the sign of emotional distress. Of course, our emotional well-being can impact other aspects of our personal wellness. One example is anger and hostility, an emotion that puts one at significantly greater risk for heart disease.

 

Conclusion

We encourage you to stay sensitive to your life’s balance and to be a good steward of your health and wellness.              Martin Luther said, “The process is not yet finished, but it is actively going on. This is not the goal, but it is the right road. At present, everything does not gleam and sparkle, but everything is being cleansed.” We are all saved through the redemptive power of Christ. May God give you the grace and strength to persevere until that day we will all gleam and sparkle. May this blessing give you joy and energy along your journey of wellness!

Information provided by

 

Beth MacMartin

Parish Nurse