Health & Wellness Resources

What is Wellness?

Wellness is a continuous and active process of achieving an optimal state of health, where an individual becomes aware of or makes choices towards a more whole-self lifestyle. The process of wellness is conscious, self-directed, and evolving to help an individual achieve their full health potential!  

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization is “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. Wellness could be considered the path to get there. Wellness is holistic, and multidimensional, thus understanding wellness can help us to achieve optimal health!

The seven dimensions of wellness
 

1. Environmental — Taking care of both the global environment as well as your immediate personal environment through sustainable practices and organization skills.

2. Spiritual — Establishing peace and harmony in our lives by demonstrating an individual purpose and reflecting your values and beliefs in your actions.

3. Emotional — Understanding and coping with feelings and emotions through a positive attitude and strong sense of self.

4. Professional — Professionally, or in school, you should have fulfillment in your work. There is also a balance between work and leisure.

5. Intellectual — Being open to new experiences and ideas by creatively, curiously and critically thinking and seeking out new challenges.

6. Social — Relating and connecting to others by engaging in the community and building and being a part of supportive social networks.

7. Physical — Maintaining a healthy body through smart diet and activity choices.

The dimensions of wellness listed above can be explored further in University of Delaware Cooperative Extension's very own Get Experience in Mindfulness GEM Curriculum.