The Plunge: The Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Today, we’re exploring how to build a balanced and fulfilling life by aligning your needs, standards, and states across the 8 dimensions of wellness. When these elements click together, you tap into a deeper sense of well-being, purpose, and spiritual growth.
Getting the balance right between what you need, the standards you set, and your overall well-being is key to living a life that’s true to your values and supports holistic wellness. By looking at these through the lens of the 8 dimensions of wellness, you ensure that every aspect of your life contributes to your health, happiness, and personal growth.
John 10:10 reminds us that God wants us to live full, abundant lives: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." To achieve this, we must take care of every part of our well-being and ensure our actions align with our true needs and values.
The 8 Dimensions of Wellness connect to our Needs, shape our States, and help to establish our Standards.
Physical Wellness
Needs: Nutrition, exercise, rest.
Standards: Commit to regular exercise, a balanced diet, and enough rest.
States: Vitality and energy show that your physical needs are met and standards are upheld.
Emotional Wellness
Needs: Support, stress management, self-esteem.
Standards: Regular self-care and seeking support when needed.
States: Emotional stability and resilience mean your emotional needs are covered.
Cognitive Wellness
Needs: Mental stimulation, learning, problem-solving.
Standards: Engage in activities that challenge your mind.
States: Mental clarity and engagement indicate cognitive wellness.
Spiritual Wellness
Needs: Connection with God, inner peace, spiritual growth.
Standards: Time for prayer, meditation, spiritual study.
States: A sense of peace and purpose reflects spiritual wellness.
Environmental Wellness
Needs: A safe, clean, supportive environment.
Standards: Keep your living space clean and organized.
States: Comfort in your surroundings shows good environmental wellness.
Social Wellness
Needs: Meaningful relationships, social support, belonging.
Standards: Nurture relationships and engage in community.
States: Connection and support reflect strong social wellness.
Occupational Wellness
Needs: Job satisfaction, work-life balance, purpose.
Standards: Pursue meaningful work and maintain balance.
States: Job satisfaction and purpose indicate good occupational wellness.
Financial Wellness
Needs: Financial security, budgeting, savings.
Standards: Practice smart financial management and plan for the future.
States: Stability and security reflect financial wellness.
What are some things you can do to align your Needs, Standards, and States to aid your well-being?
Assess Your Needs: Reflect on your needs in each dimension. Spot areas where you’re falling short.
Set Realistic Standards: Create standards in each dimension that address your needs and fit your life.
Monitor Your State: Regularly check your physical, emotional, and mental state to maintain your standards.
Adjust As Needed: Be flexible. If something’s off, tweak your standards or how you meet your needs.
Ask yourself:
Which dimension of wellness is lacking for you?
Do your current standards align with your needs, or do you need to adjust them?
How does your physical, emotional, or mental state reflect the alignment between your needs and standards?
Pick a dimension where your needs aren’t fully met and set a new standard to address it.
At the end of each day, think about how well you met your standards and how it affected your state.
Set a weekly check-in to review your needs, standards, and states and adjust as needed.
By aligning your needs, standards, and states across all dimensions of wellness, you can create a balanced, fulfilling life that is in tune with God’s desire for you to live abundantly.
Take a moment today to consider how your needs, standards, and states align across the 8 dimensions of wellness and where you might need to make adjustments to live more fully and intentionally.
As always, in Christ, engage, adapt, and overcome.
Remy Sharpe