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What is wellness?

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Wellness is the holistic integration of mind, body, and spiritual well-being (Stoewen, 2017), which requires constant and consistent maintenance.

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Health vs Wellness

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Health refers to the "state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (WHO, 1946), while wellness is the "active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence" (National Wellness Institute, 1976). In short, health is a state, while wellness is a conscious, ever-changing process.

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Maintaining wellness helps us attain health.

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The 10 dimensions of wellness

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Categorizing wellness into various dimensions not only helps us view wellness holistically but also helps us realise that wellness can be attained in diverse ways.

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At Total Wellness Initiative Singapore, we have identified 10 dimensions of wellness to ensure a fulfilling life.

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1. Physical wellness:

  • Ability to maintain physical health

  • Examples of physical wellness include exercising regularly, eating healthy, etc

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2. Psychological wellness:

  • Ability to maintain a positive mental health

  • Examples of psychological wellness include regular meditation/muscle relaxation exercises, practising gratitude

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3. Social wellness:

  • Ability to maintain meaningful relationships and have healthy interactions with others

  • Examples include spending quality time with loved ones, engaging in volunteer work

 

4. Occupational wellness:

  • Ability to achieve work-life balance, address workplace stress, and build collegial relationships.

  • Examples include healthy communication with colleagues, conflict resolution at work, finding ways to make the job more fulfilling/meaningful, balancing work and leisure.

 

5. Digital wellness

  • Ability to intentionally maintain a healthy relationship with technology.

  • Examples of digital wellness include setting time limits on social media usage, using "Do Not Disturb" mode.

 

6. Intellectual wellness

  • Ability to recognize abilities and expand knowledge and skills.

  • Examples include pursuing personal/professional development, learning new skills, expanding personal hobbies.

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7. Spiritual wellness

  • Ability to expand one’s sense of purpose and meaning in life, understanding one's own values/beliefs/morals that guide actions.

  • Examples include praying, reflecting on self and the meaning of life.

 

8. Environmental wellness​​

  • Ability to create or place oneself in an environment that supports health/well-being, directly (decluttering) or indirectly (adopting environmentally healthy practices).

  • Examples include spending time in nature, purchasing from sustainable businesses, ensuring the workstation is neat/pleasing to the eye.

 

9. Financial wellness​

  • Ability to manage one’s finances well, make prudent financial decisions, and feel secure in financial future.

  • Examples include living within one’s means, reducing debt, saving for retirement.

 

10. Creative wellness​

  • Ability to appreciate and participate in art and cultural experiences, to get in touch with one’s creative side.

  • Examples include journaling, doodling, dancing.

 

 

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References

Our Framework

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