Finding Balance in Your Life: 7 Dimensions of Wellness
I often fantasize about a slower-paced life, which I feel can apply to most folks. One where I don’t wake up to an alarm clock, don’t carry the pressures of working full-time, stressing about what to make for dinner, or feel that exercising is a “chore”. While I feel grateful to have the opportunity to start my own practice and become more mindful of my time management, I know this is not the case for the vast majority of Americans.
When we prioritize finding a sense of balance in our daily routine, it feels more achievable to get the things done that we want to get done. We still have responsibilities to take care of, but we also allow ourselves enough time to have a reset emotionally, physically, and mentally.
It is often within conversations with friends and family that we hear the phrases:
“If only I had more time in the day, I would exercise.”
“I wish I could get more restful sleep, but I have a hard time putting my phone down.”
“Work has been just so busy lately and I’m eating out more.”
Among these statements, I hear so much awareness of what needs to change in their lives, but also an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty of where to begin. We need to view ourselves with more context, understanding that we are a whole person, not just the one thing we want to improve upon. That is where the balancing act comes into play.
Let’s break down our 7 dimensions of wellness and explore what balance ideally would entail when you put all of those areas together. Coming together to be your best self and more serene in life.
Emotional: This is when we are seeking the ability to maintain awareness and acceptance of our personal feelings. We have the ability to learn from the past, plan for the future, but stay focused on the present moment to bring a sense of peace.
Mental: Involves cultivating our critical thinking skills, having the ability to distinguish between facts and opinions, and embracing all knowledge to enhance the quality of our life by asking questions.
Physical: This is when we maintain a healthy body through regular exercise and activity, healthy eating patterns, and general self-care. We focus on sleep hygiene, reducing alcohol or drug consumption, and taking medications as needed.
Environmental: Can go beyond a simple respect for the earth and a love of nature by encompassing all external factors that affect your well-being. This includes things, places, and people around you such as keeping your home/work environment organized and clean.
Spiritual: Focuses on searching for the answers to existential questions with a spirit of open-mindedness and non-judgment. This means developing a set of values, beliefs, and principles that help to explain the meaning of your life and purpose.
Social: This is when we find the delicate balance between our needs with the needs of others. Trying to focus on maintaining a sense of independence and fulfillment in various relationships we may have.
Occupational: Addresses the ways in which our work life affects our total sense of wellness and includes finding a career that fits in with other lifestyle choices, while still remaining financially supported. Identifying career goals that promote our own satisfaction and sense of purpose.
The goal is not to have all of these areas be equal all of the time, but using this as a framework to guide an overarching sense of balance in your life. When you notice more energy being put into your occupation for several weeks at a time, you also have to find the balance with holding boundaries to promote fulfilling self-care.
I would encourage you to create your own list of activities/behaviors that show how you feel fulfilled in each of these individual areas. This becomes your accountability plan for the future. If we feel overwhelmed with emotions, we typically feel stuck in how to balance ourselves back out. We may say, “I know journaling would help, but I don’t feel like writing or thinking.” So then we don’t journal and don’t move forward. But if we have a multitude of options that can help restore us, we are setting ourselves up for success.
Balance is achievable in life no matter what your life circumstances are. There are periods of time that it will get thrown off, which is just part of the normal human experience. But you have the full capability of getting back on track.
You deserve to feel less drained, burnt out, or stressed on a regular basis.
You are worthy of a life that is fulfilling and stable.
Reach out today if interested in finding balance in your daily life! Finding a routine that works best for YOU!
References:
Stoewen DL. Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. Can Vet J. 2017 Aug;58(8):861-862. PMID: 28761196; PMCID: PMC5508938. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5508938/
