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How the Seven Dimensions of Wellness Help You Reach a Higher Level of Well-Being

November 27, 2020

“Health is a state of body. Wellness is a state of being.”
– J. Stanford

Now that you or your loved one are in your retirement years, it’s normal to want to focus more time on following your passions. And one of the best ways to ensure that you can stay active and focus on your hobbies is to improve your wellness.

While it’s true that the definition of wellness can vary from person to person, there is a set standard that seniors can follow. In fact, that’s why senior living communities, like Franciscan Ministries, use the seven dimensions of wellness to help residents thrive. Let’s take a look at what the seven dimensions of wellness are and how they can help reach a higher level of well-being.

What Are the Seven Dimensions of Wellness?

What is the first thing that comes to mind after reading the word “wellness”? You probably thought of physical wellness, but that’s only one part of the whole picture. The seven dimensions of wellness takes into account your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual and vocational wellness.

The Seven Dimensions of Wellness include:

Physical Wellness: Working to stay physically fit is essential to your health and wellness as you age. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise are great places to start.
Intellectual Wellness: It’s challenging to reach your highest level of wellness without addressing your mind. It’s important for seniors to keep their minds engaged to help reduce the risk of memory loss and cognitive decline. You can give your mind a workout by reading, watching a documentary or even doing a crossword puzzle in the morning.
Emotional Wellness: If you can keep a positive outlook on life, your mood will follow suit. By practicing this skill, you’ll be better equipped to handle and manage negative emotions that you may experience. You can get started by practicing meditation, keeping a journal or doing yoga.
Social Wellness: As human beings, all of us have the desire to have connections with other people. Meeting new people and building on existing relationships is essential to your health.
Environmental Wellness: When was the last time you took a moment to reflect on the comfort of your environment? It can give you a sense of pride and balance. Environmental wellness is taking time out of your day to appreciate your surroundings.
Spiritual Wellness: Investing time into your faith can give you a higher sense of purpose in each day. Spiritual wellness can involve practicing religion or following a set of values you believe in.
Vocational Wellness: Even if you’re retired, you can still share the knowledge that you’ve acquired over your career. You can use that experience to give back to your community. You could volunteer your time to a professional organization or mentor a young professional in your chosen career path.

How Can the Seven Dimensions of Wellness Help You Thrive?

They Can Help You Find More Purpose in Each Day

During the early stages of retirement, it’s common for seniors to lose a bit of their direction after working for so many years. The good news is, the seven dimensions of wellness can help you find a greater sense of purpose. By working on each dimension of wellness, you will be able to develop goals as you enjoy your retirement.

It Can Help Seniors with Socialization

Out of the seven dimensions of wellness, social wellness can be a challenge for seniors. But at a senior living community, you or your loved one will be surrounded by friends and peers. It becomes much more convenient to spend time with friends and participate in meaningful activities.

You’ll Experience Less Stress and Anxiety

As we naturally age, it’s normal to experience a heightened state of stress and anxiety at times. But the seven dimensions of wellness can help you better manage those stressful moments. It all starts with being more invested in all aspects of your health. For example, let’s say one day it’s more difficult for you to exercise. Being more invested in the other aspects of your health can lower the amount of stress and anxiety you would feel.

Continue Your Retirement with Purpose at Franciscan Ministries

At Franciscan Ministries, we focus on the seven dimensions of wellness to help residents at all of our senior living communities live joyfully. Life is a series of moments, and we want to help you or your loved one make the most out of them.

If you’re interested in learning more about what life can be at Franciscan Ministries, we’d be happy to help. Contact us today to get an inside look at the levels of senior care that we offer and how our unique approach to senior living can help you or your loved one thrive.

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