The nine dimensions of health and wellness: a holistic approach to well-being

March 12, 2024 - Defence Stories

What are the dimensions of health?

Well-being means much more than the absence of disease or illness. It considers the whole person, beyond any one dimension of health. Each dimension affects and influences the others, contributing to your overall well-being. By nurturing these dimensions and creating balance between them according to what fits with your life, you can enhance your quality of life and develop your sense of resilience.

All dimensions exist in a dynamic and ever-changing state that can decline or improve given the right set of circumstances. In this series, let's explore each dimension highlighted in the Total Health and Wellness Strategy and what we can do to create meaningful change in each of these areas of life.

Workplace dimensions

• Physical Work Environment (including your workspace, ergonomics, and lighting)
• Psychosocial Work Environment (including workplace culture and relationships with your clients, colleagues, and manager)

Personal life dimensions

• Family (including developing and maintaining positive relationships with those around you)
• Social/Cultural (including a sense of belonging and connection to your various communities)
• Financial (including financial literacy and having a sense of control over your finances)
• Physical environment (including the elements that make up the space you live in, such as your personal security, noise levels, temperature, light exposure, air quality, and how accessible amenities are to you such as stores, hospitals, schools, transportation, etc.)

Individual health

• Mental (feeling empowered, resilient, and mentally fit – this is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes one's own potential and is able to cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and contribute to one's own community)
• Spiritual (connecting meaning, purpose, and your values with your actions, providing a sense of peace and balance)
• Physical/Personal (feeling fit enough to engage in activities you enjoy, pursue goals, and take care of your body through nutrition, exercise, sleep, and the avoidance of unhealthy behaviours; being aware of personal needs and limitations)

Ultimately, the nine dimensions of health are a framework that can help you think about how different elements of your life come together to create your overall sense of wellness.

Where can I learn about the programs available to me?

A range of programs and services are available to support Defence Team members in creating and maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Should you wish to learn more about the tools and services available to support your health and wellness, visit the following web pages:

• The Total Health and Wellness web page is a one-stop shop for Defence Team wellness information and tools. You can find resources and tips on managing your work-life balance, coping with change, practicing mindfulness, managing finances, spiritual guidance, and more.
• The Organizational Well-Being team's SharePoint (accessible only on the National Defence network) provides helpful information about the services and resources available to DND public service employees and their family members. This SharePoint site is designed to enable a proactive approach to supporting your well-being.
• The Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services web page offers programs and services that contribute to operational readiness by making our members stronger at the individual and community level.

Where can I learn more about this holistic approach to health?

Keep an eye out for more articles in this series that will go deeper into each dimension and give you some advice and tools on how to help you reach and maintain your personal and professional objectives.