Occuptional Wellness

By applying the model, a person becomes aware of the interconnectedness of each dimension and how they contribute to healthy living. This holistic model explains:

• how a person contributes to his or her environment and community, and how to build better living spaces and social networks;
• the enrichment of life through work, and its interconnectedness to living and playing;
• the development of belief systems, values, and creating a world-view;
• the benefits of regular physical activity, healthy eating habits, strength and vitality, as well as personal responsibility, self-care and when to seek medical attention;
• self-esteem, self-control, and determination as a sense of direction;
• creative and stimulating mental activities, and sharing your gifts with others.

Applying a wellness approach can be useful in nearly every human endeavor. As a pathway to optimal living, wellness is being applied to related fields, sch as health promotion and holistic health, and has been a growth in "helping professions" including counseling and medical arts and practices. The National Wellness Institute devised three questions that can help persons and organizations assess the degree to which wellness is incorporated into a particular approach or program:

• Does this help people achieve their full potential?
• Does this recognize and address the whole person (multi-dimensional approach)?
• Does this affirm and mobilize people's positive qualities and strengths?

*from Six Dimensions of Wellness Model, 1976, National Wellness Institute, Inc.