Understanding Wellness from a Holistic Perspective
Posted: April 15, 2022
In our society today, we often take a reactive approach to illness and physical health. According to research conducted by the Milken Institute and the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, approximately 75% of all healthcare spending in the United States goes to treating chronic illnesses, once they are discovered. A very small percentage of the remaining funds is devoted to research and initiatives toward prevention of such illnesses. However, there is a growing awareness of how wellness initiatives can proactively address several of the lifestyle factors that often lead to the development of these chronic illnesses. Even still, defining wellness can be a challenge.
What is Wellness?
One of the reasons wellness is not easily defined or measured is that the word can have different meanings to different people. In defining wellness, one could ask, “What is the opposite of being well?” Or, stated differently, how might you define what it means to be “unwell?” Many of us would think of physical sickness or a chronic illness. Others might answer with certain emotions: feeling sad, discouraged, or some other unpleasant combination of affect. Still others of us might think of being “unwell” as having a negative attitude (thoughts or self-esteem) or acting in a dangerous way to self or others (behaviors). From a holistic view of wellness, each of these answers would be partially correct. A more comprehensive understanding of wellness, however, leads to defining it as an entire way of life.
The concept of wellness in modern psychology includes aspects of physiological health and fitness in addition to several other categories of equal significance. The “Wheel of Wellness” model, as described by Whitmer, Sweeney, and Myers (2000) includes the following major categories or “life tasks”:
Interpreting the Wheel of Wellness Model
This diagram can be understood by starting from the middle and working out through each layer:
- Spirituality – a sense of being connected to a cause and/or a being greater than oneself.
- Self-Direction – several qualitative aspects of life that one decides or controls. This category includes physical health choices, sense of control, sense of humor, gender and cultural identities, stress management, and others.
- Work & Leisure – satisfaction through a balance of career or vocation (including volunteering and/or other social causes or involvements), with relaxing activities and rest.
- Friendship – social connectedness through relationships, often including some element of “fun.”
- Love – a sense of belonging and intimate connection in close relationships.
- “Spirituality” is located in the center, at the core of the wellness wheel. The idea here is not that people must ascribe to a religious tradition or particular belief system. Rather, spirituality refers more generally to an individual’s core values and sense of meaning and purpose in life. For some this is interpreted through religion, a pursuit of a “greater good,” and/or a Higher Power, while for others it is a more individualistic and self-focused process.
- As the hub of the wheel in this model, spirituality serves as the backdrop for all other layers of a person’s wellness.
- The second ring in the wheel is “Self-Direction.” This is where our choices, personalities, and worldviews come into consideration.
- Each of the “spokes” on the wheel is a subcategory of “Self-Direction” and a way that we control (or don’t control) our experience of life.
- Beyond the “spokes” of Self-Direction is the level of “Work & Leisure, Friendship, & Love.”
- Work & Leisure – satisfaction through a balance of career or vocation (including volunteering and/or other social causes or involvements), with relaxing activities and rest.
- Friendship – social connectedness through relationships, often including some element of “fun.”
- Love – a sense of belonging and intimate connection in close relationships.
- The final ring of the wheel lists some of the major experiences and influences of life in which our wellness pursuits play out. These include experiences that directly impact our lives: religion, family, media, etc. all have an impact on us and our worldview, but they are factors that extend beyond our control and individual experience of life.
- The space outside of the wheel represents the influence of “global events” that happen outside of our direct experience of life. While we don’t often think of these factors as having a direct impact on our lives, it is important to acknowledge how our perceptions of global events can indirectly impact our moods, stress levels, and overall wellness.
- Spirituality: Where do you find your meaning and purpose in life? What motivates you at your core? What are your more important values and aspects of your identity?
- Self-Direction: Which “spokes” would you consider to be strengths, currently contributing to your overall wellness? Which “spokes” are being neglected and/or are disappointing you in your life at this point? Which ones are controlled by someone or something else?
- Work & Leisure, Friendship, Love: Which of these experiences in your life are bringing you life, energy, and joy? Which areas are causing you stress and/or feel non-existent?
- Exterior experiences: How “content” are you in your experience of these areas of life? Do any of them stand out as areas in which to work out better boundaries or expectations?