During National Wellness Week, September 17-23, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has asked community organizations to host events and promote messages encouraging the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.  The Eight Dimensions of Wellness are a holistic guide to physical and mental wellness.

Wellness is defined as a state of being healthy in both body and mind. This includes all aspects of a person’s life: mental, emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, and spiritual.  Each of these aspects can affect the overall quality of life.

Wellness for those with mental health challenges includes all of these aspects. Quality of life comes from finding purpose, being actively involved in satisfying work and recreational activities, having healthy relationships with those they love, and living in a healthy environment.  In addition, a healthy mind goes hand-in-hand with a healthy body.

SAMHSA encourages incorporating the Eight Dimensions of Wellness in your life:

• Emotional – Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships
• Environmental – Good health by occupying pleasant, stimulating environments that support well-being
• Financial – Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
• Intellectual – Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills
• Occupational – Finding satisfaction and enrichment from one’s work
• Physical – Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy foods and sleep
• Social – Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system
• Spiritual – Expanding a sense of purpose and meaning in life

To learn more about ways to participate in National Wellness Week, visit www.samhsa.gov.

-Tresa Salters, PIN