What is Health and Wellness?
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
-Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.
EHHD's 7 Dimensions of Wellness:
Some organizations suggest there are 6 dimensions of wellness. Some say there are 7. Others say there are 8 or 9 dimensions. While the exact number is not important, the message is! Health is not just a lack of illness or disease. At EHHD, we work to address wellness on 7 dimensions. These dimensions are:
- Physical Wellness: Balancing physical activity, nutrition and mental well-being to keep your body in top condition, as well as having access to affordable, timely healthcare.
- Emotional Wellness: Understanding your own feelings and expressing emotions in a constructive way. Having the ability to deal with stress and cope with life's challenges.
- Occupational Wellness: Getting personal and financial fulfillment from your job or academic pursuits and contributing to knowledge and skills while maintaining a work-life balance.
- Spiritual Wellness: The ability to practice openly the values and beliefs that provide a purpose in one's life.
- Intellectual Wellness: Engaging in creative and mentally stimulating activities that expand your knowledge through cultural, artistic or skill-based learning.
- Environmental Wellness: Having a safe, healthy living environment in which to live, learn, and play. Using available resources responsibly and fostering a safer and healthier environment for others.
- Social Wellness: Building and maintaining a diversity of supportive relationships and dealing effectively with interpersonal conflict.
-Adapted from the UMatter Campaign (Princeton University)
Through our Health Promotion services we strive to empower our region to improve their wellness by considering each of these 7 dimensions. We do this through employee wellness programs such as Be Well, community health policy initiatives like CHART, or public health campaigns like 9-5-2-1-0 for Health! To learn more about our health and wellness promotion service contact us at be_well@ehhd.org or call us at (860) 429-3325.
“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”