Having worked in and for the NHS for over 30 years there is a realisation that our system is based on illness rather than wellness. Often the term wellbeing is used here in the UK, but I like the term Wellness which incorporates a wider view of our health across many facets.
The image here is that of the National Wellness Institute in the USA http://www.nationalwellness.org and shows 6 dimensions of wellness
- Physical
- Emotional
- Intellectual
- Spiritual
- Social
- Occupational
I like this model as it reflects practical everyday life, taking into account not only the condition of our body but also how we feel about ourselves, how we interact with others and how we perform in work, handle our finances etc.
In order to lead a fulfilling and happy life attention needs to be paid to all these areas of our life. We know all too well what the pressures of work can be e.g. the stressed out businessman who ignores his family, but at the other extreme boredom can have a huge impact too.
So much physical illness is actually a manifestation of mental health e.g. pain which is often better managed with a positive mental attitude and ways in which to apply it. Its a complex area, but life is a journey and Wellness skills are vital to us leading a long and healthy life. At The Health Dispensary we want to help in any way we can to you addressing some of these lifestyle issues and also gain a better understanding of how we work… inside and out.
