Written by Lucia Torres
When we talk about Mental Health Awareness, we also need to talk about our own personal ways of resolving daily situations and what we need to do to increase our overall wellness. Recognizing that traumatic experiences influence the way we cope with those daily situations will help us to become aware of our needs and find strategies to achieve wellness.
Wellness is a broad concept that invites us to be healthy in many areas of our lives. Creating balance in our lives is an important part of wellness. Awareness of what balance means according to our resources, culture and circumstances is also very important. Balance means to know and have the time to do things that make us happy and fulfilled. This may include working, having fun, spending time with friends and family, participating in the community, being physically active, praying or meditating, relaxing and sleeping.
A specific wellness approach from the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal recognizes the eight following dimensions: physical, intellectual, financial, social, emotional, spiritual, environmental and occupational.
The Physical Dimension includes a healthy body, proper nutrition, exercise and appropriate health care access. Awareness of what we can do to improve in this area will help us to maintain and feel in control and gain a sense of empowerment to control other areas in our lives.
The Intellectual Dimension involves different things that make our brain active and expand our intellect. Learning new skills, continuing education, learning a new language and participating in activities provided by our community library are important activities to improve and keep our brains active.
The Financial Dimension involves things such as income, debt, savings and one’s understanding of financial processes and resources. Being aware of how our job allows us to meet our obligations, seeking information to make plans to pay debts, opening a savings account to plan for unexpected life events and the future are all important. Being aware and informed about our finances will help improve this area and therefore our wellness.
The Social Dimension involves having healthy relationships with friends, family and the community and having an interest for the needs of others and humankind. For example, staying in touch with family, having dates with friends, getting out and meeting people with similar interests or volunteering in local non-profit agencies, such as your local preschool or library. These types of activities will help improve wellness.
The Emotional Wellness Dimension involves the ability to express feelings, to cope with life’s stressors and to adjust to emotional crisis. Being open to and acknowledging our feelings without judgement, recognizing our limitations and learning from mistakes, joining support groups, recognizing stress triggers and welcoming and cultivating empowering thoughts and emotions are ways to maintain a balanced emotional lifestyle.
The Spiritual Wellness Dimension represents one’s personal beliefs and values and involves meaning, purpose, a sense of balance and peace. Being aware of the significant differences in religious beliefs and respecting practices, reaching out and helping others when they are in need and taking time to meditate or reflect on our belief systems are ways to bring spiritual wellness to our lives.
The Environmental Wellness Dimension involves being able to be safe and feel safe. Accessing clear air, food, water, recycling, composting, checking our car emissions, spending time on protected public green spaces and organizing your own workspace, are activities that will improve your environmental wellness.
The Occupation Wellness Dimension involves participating in activities that provide meaning and purpose and reflect on personal values, interests and beliefs. This includes working for a wage or volunteerism. Having a career that fits your values, having a job that offers personal satisfaction and stimulation, volunteering in the community, having a job that offers you a sense of accomplishment are activities that will increase your wellness.
When we are dealing with difficult times, balance is especially important. During this time our positive habits and routines can help us deal with our sorrow, stress or illness. Focusing on ourselves and the roles that we play in the lives of others – such as mother, friend, coworker or community member – will help us to achieve wellness.
Lucia Torres is the Site Supervisor of the Betty Sanchez preschool and Carpinteria Infant and Toddler centers. Both programs under the Children’s Services of CommUnify and is a board member of HopeNet of Carpinteria. HopeNet of Carpinteria is a grassroots organization whose vision is to improve the mental wellness of Carpinteria residents and lessen the number of attempted and completed suicides in our community thought support, advocacy, and information about mental health resources. Visit hopenetofcarp.org or contact hopnetofcarp@gmail.com.
