Emotional Wellness

Emotional Wellness is being able to recognize and manage one's own emotions. It is the ability to quickly arrive at personal decisions based upon the understanding of one's priorities.  Emotional wellness is having a skill set to handle stress effectively, as well as resolving conflict in a healthy manner.  This dimension of wellness addresses goal setting; you have the knowhow to create challenging goals, with the belief (confidence) that you will be succeed. 

 Emotional wellness is about understanding that you truly are the product of what your choices; knowing and understanding that you choose what to feel and think.  Emotional wellness is about being happy...and all it takes to make that happen for you. 

• I recognize that I create my own feelings and am responsible for them.
• I am happy most of the time.
• I accept responsibility for my own actions.
• I can express all ranges of feelings including hurt, sadness, fear, anger, and joy and manage related behaviors in a healthy way.
• I resolve conflict in a healthy, timely manner.
• I am able to forgive others and myself.
• I can realistically assess my limitations and cope effectively with stress.
• I can say “no” without feeling guilty.
• I set realistic objectives for myself.
• I believe that I will accomplish the goals I set for myself.
• I am able to set priorities.

Vocational - Financial Wellness

Work - for some of you reading this you are being paid to do the things you would do for free – you are doing the thing you always dreamed of doing; for others it is simply just a job. Wherever you fall on this continuum; the most important element is your attitude about your work…whatever it might be. Vocational Wellness is making the best use of your skills and experience. It is about having a job that pays you enough to not only provide the necessities, but also enjoy the things you want to enjoy outside of work. Success in this area is having a great work-life balance that fits your lifestyle.

Financial Wellness is about the money you have, but more importantly it is your relationship with that money. Success in this area is a feeling of security in what you have and/or what you owe. It is a peace around money, rather than anxiety.

At the end of the day both vocational and financial wellness are a direct representation of the choices we made and continue to make. The good news is that it is never too late to make new choices to help you live your best life.

• I enjoy my work.
• I have chosen a job role that matches my values and lifestyle.
• I have chosen a job that challenges me, while making the best use of my skills and talents.
• I am satisfied with the balance between my work and leisure time.
• I am able to manage and control my workload.
• I earn enough money to meet my needs and save to provide economic stability for myself and/or family.
• I have a healthy relationship with money.
• I am proud of the choices I make on a consistent basis around my  money

Environmental Wellness

  When I envision Environmental Wellness I’m drawn to the book ‘Spontaneous Happiness”, by Dr Andrew Weil. In this book he refers to research Richard Louv has accomplished (and written about in his book – Last Child in the Woods) on Nature Deficit Disorder (NDD), a term coined to explain how our disconnect with nature is affecting today's children. Mr. Louv claims there are a wide range of behavioral problems in children, but also emotional and physical ailments in adults who don’t spend enough time outdoors. Scientific evidence is showing that a few of the benefits of spending time in nature include; vitamin D, eye health, and even helping with regular sleep patterns. In addition, there are emotional benefits to spending time outdoors enjoying nature’s beauty…smelling the roses.

  I would add one more piece of the puzzle when it comes to Environmental Wellness, and that is your immediate environment; that place you spend a lot of your time. These may include your home, office, and/or car. If you are surrounded by clutter and chaos, this may be playing a role in your productivity, while limiting your inspiration.

  Environmental Wellness is about enjoying the beauty of nature, as well as the beauty of our environment - those places we spend our time. It is about taking the time to smell the roses; knowing you have that time because you have created an environment of organization.

oI live in harmony with nature and the universe.

oI recognize my impact on the environment and take deliberate action to minimize my impact.

oI try to create an environment that minimizes my stress.

oI beautify those parts of my environment under my control.

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is about the body; how we take care of this one body we were given.  This dimension of wellness addresses the food we eat, the activity we get, how we manage our health, and even personal hygiene.  Physical wellness relies on habit more than any of the other dimensions.  As you begin this first week of 2012, ask yourself what habits you may need to acquire or break to better serve you in your journey to live your best life.

• I have the energy to do the things I want to do.
•    I maintain a consistent exercise regime consisting of aerobic, flexibility. and muscular    strengthening exercises. 
•   I take proactive steps to avoid and prevent injury, illness, and disease.
• I participate in recommended health screenings.
• I get 6 to 8 hours of undisturbed sleep a night.
• I eat a diet that consists of fruits and vegetables along with whole grains. I choose lean cuts of meat, poultry or fish.   
• I limit the amount of fat, salt, sugar and alcohol in diet.
• I avoid using tobacco products.