Embodying The Eight
Dimensions of Wellness
Road to Recovery –
A Whole Health Approach
Lauren Spiro
Des Moines, Iowa
June 19-20, 2012
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What is Wellness ?
Wellness is a philosophy or approach
for developing a healthy lifestyle that
positively affects our quality of life.
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Origins of Thinking about
Wellness
• The wellness philosophy dates back centuries.
“A wise man/woman should consider that health is the greatest of
human blessings and learn how to by, his/her own thought, derive
benefit from his/her illness.” –Hippocrates, 460–400 B.C.
•
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For centuries people have aspired to principles for “good
living” that emphasize the importance of a balance between
mind, body, and spirit wellness.
Origins of Thinking about
Wellness
• The wellness philosophy was influenced by Chinese
medical practices and eastern philosophy, which:
– emphasizes interactions of the mind, body, spirit, and
environment; and
– interprets the body’s symptoms as reflective of mental or spiritual
conflict or imbalance.
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Origins of Thinking about
Wellness
500 A.D. Temple Healing
- Ancient Greek temples functioned as a place
to remove one’s self from stress and pulls of
life.
- The focus of ancient Greek healing was on
diet, relaxation, self-examination which was
believed to help restore energy, vitality, and a
sense of wholeness, harmony, and balance.
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Origins of Thinking about
Wellness
Greek Humanism takes a holistic view of the individual;
arts, philosophy, humor, and spirituality were seen as
lifestyle practices to replace:
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stress with harmony;
anger with peace;
despair with hope; and
isolation with community.
Healing in Greek Humanism incorporated modalities
such as music, body work, visual arts, exercise,
healthy nutrition, meditation, play, and imagery.
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The Modern Era
of Wellness
Halbert Dunn (1896-1975)
Former Assistant Surgeon General
Father of the Wellness Movement
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High-Level Wellness
• Promotes personal responsibility
• Wellness is not just the absence of disease, illness, and
symptoms, but the presence of:
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purpose in life;
active involvement in satisfying work/play;
joyful relationships;
a healthy body and living environment; and
the presence of happiness.
High-Level Wellness
•
High-level wellness is an integrated way of living
oriented toward maximizing an individual’s POTENTIAL
within the environment.
“There is not an optimal level of wellness, but rather that
wellness is a direction in the progress towards ever-high
POTENTIAL of functioning.”
Dunn, H. (1961). High-Level Wellness, Basic Books.
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The Impact of Social
Exclusion on Wellness
•
People with mental health and/or addiction challenges
are vulnerable to early mortality due to:
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modifiable risk factors (obesity, smoking);
poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and social isolation;
the impact of psychiatric pharmaceuticals;
challenges accessing health care—getting into care and getting
the right care (culturally attuned, appropriate care); and
– hopelessness/learned helplessness/trauma.
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Social Exclusion
•
People with mental health problems and substance
addiction problems also experience:
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Poor sleep
Poverty
Dental problems
Smoking
Obesity/poor nutritional status
Loneliness and isolation
WELLNESS MODEL
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Attitude shift
Belief in yourself: belief system drives your attitude
Balance
Control/choice
Decisions: Assume personal responsibility to make
informed decisions
Environment that supports your efforts toward a wellness
lifestyle
Eight Dimensions of Wellness
•
Wellness addresses the whole person, taking into
account the following eight dimensions:
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Physical
Spiritual
Emotional
Social
Occupational
Intellectual
Environmental
Financial
Physical
The Physical dimension:
• recognizes the need for regular
physical activity and learn about diet
and nutrition while discouraging the
use of tobacco, drugs, and
excessive alcohol consumption.
• encourages individuals to pay
attention to physical health needs
(e.g., nutrition, exercise, smoking
cessation, stress level).
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Physical (continued)
• promotes developing a balanced routine—such as adequate sleep
and rest, exercise, and other activities (yoga, meditation) that
promote health and counteract the potential negative impact of our
stress responses.
• takes personal responsibility and care for illnesses, including
knowing when to reach out to others for information, assistance, or
support (e.g., alternative healing practitioners, medical attention,
etc.).
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Spiritual
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•
The Spiritual dimension includes connections within and
beyond one’s self that encompasses one’s personal
values and principles and enhance our sense of self.
•
Spirituality recognizes our search or our need for
meaning and purpose. It includes the development of a
deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and
natural forces that exist in the universe.
Emotional
The Emotional dimension:
• promotes the ability to manage one’s feelings and the situation with
a realistic assessment of one’s role and limitations and one’s
resources to cope effectively.
• supports the notion that curious inquiry and tolerance enhances our
awareness of and acceptance of a wide range of feelings and
behaviors expressed by self and others.
• encourages the ability to live and work interdependently, realizing
the importance of giving and receiving information, resources, and
support in a culturally attuned (trauma-informed) manner.
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Emotional (cont.)
• encompasses the ability to take risks
and recognize conflict as a learning
opportunity.
• promotes acceptance of self and others
as we pursue our vision, values, and
goals.
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Social
The Social dimension:
• encourages contributing to the environment and community and
emphasizes the interdependence between others and nature.
• promotes establishing and maintaining better communication with
those around you.
• encourages enhancing personal relationships and important
friendships, as well as creating or maintaining a healthy living space
and community, are key attributes.
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Occupation
• The opportunity to participate in activities that are
meaningful and rewarding and you feel that
contribute your unique gifts, skills, and talents
• The opportunity to participate in activities that are in
line with personal values, interests, and beliefs
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Personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life is
derived from participation in work and volunteer
activity, as well as activities and tasks from which
we derive meaning, pleasure, and gratification.
Intellectual
The Intellectual dimension includes:
• recognizing our creative abilities and finding
ways to expand our knowledge and skills
while discovering the potential for sharing
our gifts with others.
• spending time pursuing personal interests—
expanding our minds.
• keeping abreast of current issues and
ideas.
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Environmental
The environment includes our living, learning, and working
spaces and the larger communities where we participate as
members.
The Environmental dimension encourages:
•finding pleasant, stimulating environments that support physical,
social, and emotional well-being.
•finding or creating places that promote learning, contemplation, and
relaxation.
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Financial
The Financial dimension includes:
• Feeling in control of your personal finances; for example,
budgeting, creating a plan to manage debt, and investing
for your future.
• Satisfaction with current and future financial situations
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Wellness Approach
v
Pathology Approach
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Wellness Approach v.
Pathology Approach
WELLNESS APPROACH
Multi-dimensional.
Includes physical,
mental-emotional,
intellectual, social,
environmental, and
spiritual dimensions.
• Spiritual dimension
viewed as strength.
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PATHOLOGY APPROACH
• Narrowly focused on
illness, symptoms,
deficiencies, and
incapacity.
• Spiritual dimension viewed
as pathology.
Wellness Approach v.
Pathology Approach
WELLNESS APPROACH
PATHOLOGY APPROACH
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(Re)-establish valued
roles and pursuit of
recovery goals
The individual is
empowered to assume
personal responsibility for
health and lifestyle.
•
Symptom reduction and
rapid stabilization
The individual is expected
to adhere to the advice of
professionals.
Wellness Approach v.
Pathology Approach
WELLNESS APPROACH
PATHOLOGY APPROACH
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Provider offers education,
guidance, and support
Motivation for change is
health and personal
control
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Provider acts as expert
and prescribes what they
feel is in the best interest
of the person
Motivation for change is
fear
Wellness Approach vs.
Pathology Approach
WELLNESS APPROACH
PATHOLOGY APPROACH
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The individual is expected
to comply or adhere to
the professional advise.
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Emphasis on
pharmacological
intervention
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The individual is
responsible to selfmonitor health and modify
activity as appropriate
when the individual
perceives an imbalance.
Emphasis on personal
responsibility, personal
strengths, and innate or
natural resources
In Appreciation
Special acknowledgment and appreciation is given to
Peggy Swarbrick
for generously sharing materials she has developed on
wellness and the eight dimensions of wellness, including
many of the slides featured as part of this presentation.
Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick, Ph.D., O.T.R., C.P.R.P.
Director, Institute for Wellness and Recovery Initiatives
Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSP-NJ)
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Nothing About Us Without Us
Lauren Spiro, M.A.
Director
National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery
www.ncmhr.org, laurenspiro1@gmail.com
&
Mental Health Communications Manager
SAMHSA Education for Social Inclusion
Project
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