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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Achieving Wellness: To reach your goals, start small
What if I told you that the secret to finally reaching your health goals has nothing to do with going to the gym or eating more vegetables? (At least not at first.)
We often measure our overall health based on two things: how we look, and how we feel. So naturally, when we want to improve our health, we’re quick to set goals that we’re taught will directly impact what we see in the mirror. And while our physical health is important, without balance in other areas of our lives, sticking to a new fitness regimen or combating our sweet cravings long term, will always feel like a mental tug of war. This means it is only a matter of time before we “fall off the wagon,” forcing us to start back at square one, or worse, stop trying all together.
Health professionals have identified eight dimensions that make up our overall well-being: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational, financial and environmental. These dimensions are highly interconnected, each one impacting the other. Understanding the connection between the different dimensions of wellness in our own lives can help us pinpoint any “low hanging” opportunities for change. Tackling these less obvious, bite-size changes first, creates a positive snowball effect, making more difficult changes, more achievable.
Environmental
Occupying pleasant, stimulating environments. (Impacts: occupational, intellectual, emotional, physical.)
- Revamp your surroundings — organize your workspace, declutter your home, create a home workout “zone.”
- Find songs or playlists that get you motivated, improve focus, or encourage relaxation.
- Find value and purpose in living sustainably.
Financial
Achieve satisfaction with current and future financial situations. (Impacts: environmental, social, emotional, physical.)
- Gain control of your finances through budgeting.
- Learn how to manage your budget, credit cards, checking and savings accounts, investments, and retirement funds.
- Find local resources.
Occupational
Finding fulfillment from one’s job. (Impacts: emotional, physical, social, financial.)
- Choose a career path that matches your values, interests, and aptitudes.
- Leverage education assistance and other on-the-job training offered by your current employer.
- Hone your professional skills, including assertiveness, confrontation, feedback, time management, active listening, and motivation, to boost your job prospects.
Spiritual
Having a sense of purpose and meaning in life. This may or may not involve religious activities. (Impacts: emotional, social, intellectual.)
- Gain an understanding of how values evolve and transform through life experiences.
- Build integrity by behaving in a manner that aligns with your values.
- Investigate the concepts linked to mortality and your own mortality.
Intellectual
Recognizing your creative abilities and finding ways to expand your knowledge and skills. (impacts: emotional, social, occupational, financial.)
- Embrace new experiences and ideas in all aspects of your life.
- Hone your skills of creation, development, analysis, critique, concentration, comprehension, problem-solving, prediction and evaluation.
- Play brain games, relax with word puzzles, practice mental math instead of using a calculator.
Social
Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system. (Impacts: emotional, physical, spiritual, occupational.)
- Develop and nurturing close friendships.
- Feel confident engaging with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
- Develop an awareness of your responsibility toward different communities' welfare.
- Embrace and accept those with different sexual orientations, gender identities, races, ethnicities, religions, socioeconomic statuses, and life experiences.
- Foster a “global consciousness” by recognizing the interconnectedness of cultural, global, and national issues and needs.
Emotional
Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships. (Impacts: physical, environmental, financial, occupational, intellectual, social, spiritual.)
- Try out different stress management techniques, such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, yoga, or journaling.
- Establish healthy self-esteem and self-concept to encourage positive feelings about yourself.
- Identify and communicate your needs to the important people in your life, such as your partner, boss, children, or parents.
Physical
Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods, and sleep, as well as preventing illness and injury or managing chronic health conditions. (Impacts: emotional, intellectual, occupational, financial, social, spiritual, environmental.)
- Understand how and why your body works. Become aware of how a lack of sleep, stress, and non-activity affect your body.
- Feel comfortable with your physical appearance.
- Develop well-balanced and healthy eating habits.
- Engage in regular movement to improve flexibility, strength, aerobic, and cardiovascular health.
- Develop and cultivate leisure activities.
- Seek medical care when needed for illness, injury and preventive care.
Wellness is a journey. Small changes over time can lead to significant improvements in our overall well-being. By focusing on small changes in all areas of our well-being, you’ll create a more fulfilling and balanced life, setting yourself up for long-term success and happiness.
Jordan Cummings is a certified wellness coach at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.
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