Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness involves developing an awareness of your feelings and your response to everyday interactions. This awareness allows you to better understand why you are feeling that way and can actively respond to your feelings.

You can foster your emotional wellness by:

• Taking time to yourself to quiet your mind and reflect.

• Smiling and laughing! Sometimes humor is the best medicine to decrease stress and put life’s challenges in perspective.

• Seeking or accepting help and support from others when needed.

• Sharing your thoughts and feelings with someone you trust. Remember to listen to others’ emotions too.

• Practicing gratitude.

• Accepting mistakes and learning from them for next time.  

• Taking care of your body. Eating, being active, and sleeping – your mental & physical well-being are interconnected.

• Being kind to yourself.  

Resources:

• NIH Emotional Wellness Toolkit

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness is the ability to maintain a quality of life that allows you to get the most out of your daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. Physical wellness recognizes that our daily habits and behaviors have an impact on our overall health, well-being and quality of life.

You can foster your physical wellness by:

• Finding time to move your body. 

• Using the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator, if you’re able.

• Learning to recognize warning signs when your body begins feeling ill.

• Eating foods that make you feel good.

• Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Resources:

• NIH Physical Wellness Toolkit

• Big Foot Recreation District

• Adult Immunization Schedule

• Addiction Resources 

Occupational Wellness

Occupational wellness encourages you to pursue the opportunities you enjoy the most. This dimension of well-being recognizes the importance of satisfaction, enrichment and meaning through work.

You can foster your occupational wellness by:

• Reflecting often – where do you find joy and meaning in your life?

• Keeping an open mind.

• Exploring different career and/or volunteer opportunities that arise.

• Practicing open communication and proper conflict management with your colleagues.

• Setting realistic career goals for yourself and working towards accomplishing these goals.

Resources:

Social Wellness

Social wellness focuses on building and nurturing meaningful and supportive relationships with individuals, groups and communities. It enables you to create boundaries that encourage communication, trust and conflict management. 

You can improve your social wellness by:

• Reflecting on yourself and your social needs. 

• Making an effort to keep in touch with supportive friends, family and mentors.

• Participating in group discussions and practicing active listening.

• Joining a club or organization.

• Participating in study groups.

• Volunteering in the community.

Resources:

• NIH Social Wellness Toolkit

• Walworth County Volunteer Opportunities

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness allows us to define our individual purpose and find meaning in life events. Spirituality can incorporate beliefs, faith, values, ethics or moral principles that provide purpose and direction in our lives. A healthy spirit helps us remain resilient and better prepared to face life’s challenges.

You can strengthen your spiritual wellness by:

• Exploring your inner self. Take time for self-reflection.

• Meditating or practicing mindful relaxation.

• Practicing acceptance.

• Being curious.

• Looking for a religious faith that aligns with your values.

• Traveling and experiencing other cultures.

Resources:

• HeadSpace - Subscription services that provides guided meditations, mindfulness practices and much more.

• Free meditation resources

• Calm - Meditation App to improve sleep quality, reduce stress or anxiety, improve focus, etc.

• Guerrilla Yoga - Sunrise yoga classes in-person and online

• Deep Breathing - 15 minute online deep breathing exercise

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness encourages us to foster lifelong learning and curiosity. Intellectual wellness can be developed through academics, cultural involvement, community involvement and personal hobbies that expand your knowledge and skills while allowing you to share your knowledge and skills with others.  

You can foster your intellectual wellness by:

• Being open-minded.

• Active Listening. 

• Picking up a hobby. Hobbies are great ways to increase your skill set. They can also be fun!

• Studying abroad or traveling. The best way to gain knowledge as well as an appreciation for another culture is to experience it yourself.

• Reading for pleasure.

• Checking out a seminar or conference on something new to you.

• Learning another language.

• Engaging in research opportunities.

Resources:

• Lakeshore Library System + Creative Bug - Use your local library card (can be obtained at Walworth Memorial Library or Fontana Public Library) and access online video classes

• BadgerLink - Access numerous educational resources for all interests exclusively created for Wisconsin Residents

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness refers to leading a lifestyle that values the relationship between ourselves, our community and the environment, with respect for nature and all species living in it.

Strengthen your environmental wellness by:

• Picking up trash.

• Spending time outdoors. 

• Biking or walking for your commute.

• Using reusable bags and water bottles.

• Being mindful of your water use.

• Recycling.

• Going to the farmer’s market.

• Turning off lights and computers.

• Unplugging from technology.

• Donating unwanted clothing.

Resources:

• Walworth County Parks Division

• BFUHS Board Policy 8405

• NIH Environmental Wellness Toolkit

Financial Wellness

Financial Wellness involves the process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives, and it can impact your health and overall well-being. 

You can enhance your financial wellness by:

• Starting with small changes that will add up over time (i.e. make your own coffee rather than buying it).

• Utilizing resources to expand your budget.

• Starting a savings account – add a small monthly automatic payment, if possible.

• Identifying and addressing any financial problems before they start.

• Planning ahead and setting budget goals.

• Making a list or reviewing your bank account of all purchases in one week.

• Writing a list before you go shopping.

• Asking yourself “do I really need this?” before an unplanned purchase.

Resources:

• Mint - allows you to review transactions, monitor your spending and track your net worth all in one place

• NerdWallet - Find the best deals on credit cards, loans, insurance, mortgage rates and more