There are 7 Aspects of Wellness that create a whole and complete life. These major life areas are Emotional, Intellectual, Physical, Social, Spiritual, Occupational, and Environmental. Striking a balance in each of these life areas is what total wellness is all about, and this means being aware of each aspect and what role it has
in the way we feel.
When there is a breakdown in one area, or numerous
areas, of our wellness, anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings and depression are a common result. The full
spectrum of our well-being runs across all 7 Aspects simultaneously.
When one area is affected, other areas are affected as well, whether we realize
it or not. Think of them like dominoes: when one falls, others will soon follow.
The same is true for the contrary: when we work to raise one aspect of wellness,
the others will follow suit. Each of the 7 Aspects of Wellness are separate on one
level, but on another level they are forever interlocked, and it is nearly
impossible to practice health in one area without practicing health in the
others.
As breakdowns in our wellness occur, anxiety and feelings of depression can become challenges we must face and overcome. Dwelling
on past regrets can cause depression, and thinking only about the future can
create feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. It’s important to try to
stay present in the moment. Learning from past mistakes, feeling nostalgia
for good times of the past, and planning for the future are all helpful, but being
present in the here and now is one of the most important things you can do
to support your total wellness.
Depression and anxiety can come about quickly
and deceptively. Often it seems very hard to get “out of your head” when
you’re feeling anxious about tomorrow. Depression too, as many of us can attest, causes hopelessness and may be very difficult to overcome.
When there is imbalance in the 7 Aspects of Wellness, we might begin to feel
a sense of lack, like we haven’t accomplished something or that something
is missing in our lives. This can lead to even more breakdowns in our sense of well-being,
as feelings of powerlessness or uncertainty keep us from practicing good wellness-related
habits in other life areas, such as self-care, chores, friendships and social
activities.
Life is defined by the only real constant—change.
Change is the inevitable factor, but our personal growth is optional. In our own constant
state of change, we must learn to recognize, accept, and handle the pitfalls
that are a natural part of life—the breakdowns in wellness everyone experiences
from time to time. When these breakdowns happen, it’s important to step
back and determine where we are on the path to positive change, understand
what prevented us from making positive improvements in the past, learn how
we can make changes in our lives, and predict when certain pitfalls and breakdowns
may affect us again.
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Once we can identify where the breakdowns in
wellness are occurring, and how they lead directly to emotional issues like anxiety and depression,
we can begin to understand the source and its real purpose in our lives. Only
then can we find ways to successfully overcome those breakdowns and rebuild
and revitalize our overall health and wellness.
Author: Peter Holy
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