Five Facets of Wellness

Wellness represents more than just your physical health and well-being. It relies on striking a balance between major aspects of life that contribute to happiness and well-being. The most commonly described facets of wellness are physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual, and a deficit in any of these areas can reduce your quality of life and overall well-being.

Physical

• Maintaining your physical well-being is a crucial aspect of wellness. This means consuming a well-balanced diet so you get the nutrition necessary to keep your body functioning properly. Other aspects of physical wellness include getting enough sleep each night so your body can build and repair itself, as well as engaging in physical activity to keep your muscles, bones and cardiovascular system strong. Avoid bad habits such as smoking and excess alcohol consumption, and get routine checkups from your doctor.

Emotional

• Life is unpredictable and ever-changing, making emotional wellness critical for coping with the challenges of daily life. Reduce your stress and engage in emotionally healthy activity to promote this facet of wellness. Activities that support emotional well-being include taking a vacation from work, meditating, relaxing exercise such as yoga, getting a massage, taking up a hobby and learning new skills.

Social

• Don't underestimate the importance of social wellness -- people with strong social bonds tend to live longer and lead a better quality of life, according to Harvard Medical School. Developing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships with your family, friends and community promotes social wellness, which can be increased by attending events to meet new people, joining a club or organization with a common goal that interests you, getting to know your co-workers and maintaining a healthy positive relationship with your family members.

Intellectual

• Intellectual wellness plays a role in enhancing your quality of life. Acquiring new skills, keeping your mind sharp and increasing your knowledge base enhances your functioning. Like your body, your mind needs exercise as well, so seek out creative and intellectually stimulating activities. Some examples include reading a book, visiting a science museum, joining a philosophy group or attending a skills workshop.

Spiritual

• Spiritual well-being refers to developing and maintaining strong values and beliefs that serve as a compass to guide you through life. You don't necessarily have to practice a religion. Spiritual wellness includes being connected with the world around you and doing things for the betterment of others. For example, volunteering at a senior citizen community or donating your time to child welfare causes are ways to promote spiritual wellness.