According to the World Health Organization, wellness is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Every minute of every day, your behavior (thoughts, feelings, actions) contributes to the world as you know it. Wellness is a word that describes you, as doing your best. Wellness is your life at a balanced optimum. Wellness is health in the deepest and broadest sense of the word. It is a practice and a process. It requires patience and persistence.

Wellness embraces your entire being, accepts you as you are and loves you unconditionally. Wellness walks with you.

Overall wellness includes eight components:

  1. Emotional. Having high self-esteem and confidence, satisfying relationships, a support network, and staying optimistic.
  2. Financial. Maintaining a balanced budget for expenses while also practicing money-saving techniques. Preparedness for all expenses, including short-term, long-term, and emergencies
  3. Intellectual. Getting the most out of life by asking questions, being open to new ideas, learning new skills, and studying effectively.
  4. Physical. Maintaining optimal health by getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and avoiding unhealthy habits.
  5. Social. Having a supportive social network, contributing to society, and valuing cultural diversity.
  6. Spiritual. Possessing a set of guiding beliefs, principles, or values that give meaning and purpose to life, having a clear understanding of right and wrong, seeing the beauty in life, and finding joy in everyday life. Spiritual wellness is also the capacity to love, have compassion for others, have forgiveness, joy, and fulfillment.
  7. Time Management. Managing time smartly to have more time to do the things we want to do.
  8. Work (paid or unpaid). The ability to get personal fulfillment from our work while still maintaining balance in our lives. Our desire is to contribute and make a positive impact on the organizations we work in and on society as a whole.

Assessment and management of personal wellness is available through UWA Counseling Services.