I mentioned last week that I had a lot of plans in the works. So many, you’d think I was crazy. But it’s all part of one big plan. Well, this is that plan.

The Wellness Wheel.

Ta-da! Google Wellness Wheel and you’ll find lots of different descriptions, but it all leads to the same idea: a life of balance. I’ve seen wheels with different descriptions in their pie pieces, some say “Career” instead of “Intellectual,” and some only have 6 slices. For me, I went with the one I saw on my alma mater’s website. I prefer the emphasis on my intellect, rather than just my career.

Financial – Accessing the resources and skills that allow you to accomplish your goals

• Developing skills to manage resources.
• Planning for future needs.
• Learning to spend wisely.
• Living on a budget.

Spiritual – A positive perception of the meaning and purpose of life.

• Participating in spiritual activities, however you define them.
• Respecting your individuality and allowing yourself to grow and change.
• Being open to different cultures, religions and philosophies.
• Reflecting on your life, perhaps spending time to meditate daily.

Emotional – Possession of a secure self-identity and a positive sense of self-regard; also the ability to cope with and/or improve unpleasant mood states.

• Keeping a positive attitude.
• Being sensitive to your feelings and the feels of others.
• Learning to cope with stress. Being realistic about your expectation.
• Taking responsibility for your own behavior.
• Viewing challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles.

Intellectual – Exploring and developing your intellect.

• Exploring what interests you; opening yourself up to new experiences.
• Developing active listening skills.
• Leaning because want to – not because you are told to.
• Learning through varied experiences and media.
• Listening; observing what’s around you.
• Questioning.

Physical – A perception and expectation of physical health.

• Exercising regularly; living an active life.
• Developing an awareness of your eating and drinking habits and how they impact your health.
• Getting regular check-ups.
• Eating healthy.

Social – Participating in positive social relationships, including friends, family, community and work groups.

• Respecting and honoring diversity; developing and understanding and appreciating differences.
• Contributing your time and energy to activities within your community.
• Learning to constructively express ideas and opinions.
• Developing friendships.
• Budgeting and balancing your time to include both responsibilities and relaxation.
• Being comfortable with and liking yourself as a person

Environmental – Developing an awareness of the environment that surrounds you, and enhancing your relationship with it.

• Finding satisfaction and worth in your working and living environments.
• Working to ensure the stability and longevity of our natural resources.
• Ensuring that your work environment and relationships are comfortable.
• Being aware of your place in the natural environment. 

If you picture your life like a wheel, it will only roll along nicely if each of the seven sections are fulfilled equally. Otherwise your get a bumpy ride, right? Clichéd, but true.

I’m hoping that this approach will help bring focus and structure to my life. And my blog. I’m going to be document my efforts to address each section of the wheel in my life. Failures and successes. I will still write the random crap I’ve always written, don’t worry.

Anyway… I have to go focus on my Environment, it’s a mess.

Resources:

http://www.vanderbilt.edu/wellnesscenter/WellnessWheel.html

https://www.washington.edu/provost/studentlife/healthandwellness/students/wellnesswheel.html