How healthy are you really? 'The Six Dimensions of Health'
What is health? Can you define it?
The World Health Organisation (WHO), define health as ‘a state of complete physical, social and mental well-being, and not merely the absence of illness or disease’. So, lets look at what it takes to be considered ‘truly’ healthy.
Our lives are made up of many different aspects that can be categorized into six general areas - Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual, Occupational & Social. To live a happy, balanced and fulfilled life, balance in all six of these areas is desirable. However, this is so much easier said than done, especially with our busy, fast paced lives. So, let’s look at what each of these dimensions entail.
Physical Health – Physical health involves taking care of our ‘physical body’. Including regular exercise and appropriate, wholesome nutrition to accommodate our daily needs.
Intellectual Health – ‘Finding a way to engage in creative and stimulating activities that allow you to share your gifts and expand your knowledge is essential to your overall health. Those that have high intellectual wellness:
- Engage in the exploration and their understanding of new ideas.
- Cherish stimulation and mental growth.
- Get involved in cultural and intellectual activities’ (http://www.md-health.com).
Emotional Health – Emotional health involves being aware and in touch with your internal feelings, thought processes and resulting behaviours. Those with a strong sense of emotional wellness work towards the following things –
- ‘Keep a positive attitude.
- Learn to manage their conditions.
- Maintain a balance in life by setting their priorities.
- Seek support for expressing their emotions appropriately.
- Remain aware of their thoughts and feelings’ (http://www.mdhealth.com).
Spiritual Health – Spiritual health involves discovering a set of values, morals and beliefs that resonate with you and bring you great harmony, fulfillment and contentment. It is important to be open minded and sensitive to the beliefs of others, yet strong willed/minded when it comes to yours. Those with a strong sense of spiritual health tend to do the following –
- Apply values to actions and decisions.
- Make time to relax each day.
- Accept the views of others.
- Make time for prayer or meditation (http://www.mdhealth.com).
Social Health – Social health involves the ability to socialize, communicate and develop healthy, sustainable relationships with others around you.
Occupational Health – Occupational health refers to ability to maintain ‘balance’ and manage ‘stress’ by harmonizing your work commitments with leisure time. It is also vital to ensure you are working in an occupation that brings you a sense of ‘purpose’ and fulfillment in life.
So there is a brief overview of the ‘Six Dimensions of Health’. Can you look at those and say to yourself – ‘Yep I can confidently say that I am balanced in all of those areas!’ If so, that is FANTASTIC! I believe it is completely impossible to have ‘the perfect balance’ between all of those dimensions. However, ‘awareness’ is our finest tool, and so identifying which dimension needs attention is the best thing we can do to work towards a life of happiness and fulfillment.
