6 Dimensions of Wellness & Understanding the Urgency to Adopt an Integrative Health Approach
- Mar 2, 2024
- 6 min read
what is wellness?
When you think about wellness, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Perhaps you are asking if you are getting enough exercise, or receiving proper nutrition, or should you include meditation into your routine? The truth is, that wellness encompasses much more than just the physical and emotional aspects of health. There are many dimensions of wellness and attention must be given to all of the dimensions. Neglect of any of the diemsions over time, will adversely affect others, and ultimately our health. The statistics on health in society today will shock you, the cost of healthcare is skyrocketing and in some cases, healthcare is financially out of the reach for families. There is an urgent need for us to self-advocate, educate and understand how we can improve our health and wellness. In this article, we explore what wellness is and the science behind why healthcare is shifting to an integrative approach in medicine and ways you can include this approach in your lives. So let’s dive in……
Wellness has ancient and modern meanings. There are aspects of the wellness concept firmly rooted in several intellectual, religious, and medical movements in the United States and Europe dating back to the 19th Century. The origins of wellness are ancient. According to The Global Wellness Institute wellness traces back to 3000-1500 B.C. to Ayurveda. The modern movement of wellness we know today as promoted by one of the leading pioneers in integrative medicine, Deepak Chopra is certainly no new phenomenon. The fundamental pillars of wellness are based on ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Asia.
The term wellness has been applied in many ways. Although there might be different views on wellness, below are definitions of health and wellness so we can get a better understanding.
The Difference Between Health and Wellness
World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (illness).”
World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellness as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups,” and wellness is expressed as “a positive approach to living.”
Therefore, the difference between them is that:
Health is the goal.
Wellness is how we achieve the goal.
Dimensions of Wellness
Wellness is a societal dimension involving 88 measurable aspects: mental, emotional, social, social, spiritual, vocational, economic, and environmental. There are several dimensions of wellness that touch on all the different areas required for a happy, healthy, balanced life. The National Wellness Institute (NWI)—along with the help of leaders in health and wellness—shared many interpretations and models of wellness.
Welltress Living Company is a member of the (NWI). They are a national leader in providing opportunities and effective tools that support individuals in a variety of disciplines, promoting whole-person wellness. Dr. Bill Hettler, a co-founder of (NWI), created six dimensions of wellness back in 1976.
6 Dimensions of Wellness Model
He originally created this six-dimension model to teach the public about the interconnectedness of each dimension and how all of these factors add up to create a holistic sense of wellness and fulfillment.
The six dimensions of wellness are designed to develop strong people: The dimensions are:
Physical
Emotional
Social
Intellectual
Spiritual
Occupational (Also includes Financial Security)
In order to reach optimal health, we must first develop a wellness foundation. Building a foundation is essential for improving the quality and living a happy and fulfilled life.
The Importance of Building a Wellness Foundation
Brent A. Bauer, M.D at The Mayo Clinic [2] Natural Healing & Director of Research, Integrative Medicine and Health, says “No approach – conventional or integrative – can help your health goals if you don’t take steps to build your foundation of wellness first”. He outlines the following basic components of a healthy life:
Nutrition
Exercise
Stress Management
Strong Support Network
Once your foundation is in place, we can start to explore other dimensions of wellness.
Improve Your Health and Wellness With Integrative Medicine
A vast amount of evidence supports the adoption of an integrative approach that combines conventional western medicine with holistic and naturopathic ways to improve health and wellness.
What Is Integrative Medicine?
There are seven core areas including Sleep, Resiliency, Environment, Movement, Relationships, Spirituality, and Nutrition. Integrative medicine is defined as “healing-oriented medicine that takes into account the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle.”
Examples of Complementary Health Approaches:
Nutritional (diets, herbs, probiotics, supplements, and vitamins)
Psychological (meditation and mindfulness)
Physical (massage, spinal manipulation)
Combinations such as psychological and physical (e.g., yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, dance, or art therapies) or psychological and nutritional (e.g., mindful eating).
Nutritional approaches include what National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) previously categorized as natural products, whereas psychological and/or physical approaches include what was referred to as mind and body practices.
Examples of Conventional Health Approaches:
Conventional Medicine
Psychotherapy
Physical Rehabilitation
Nutritional approaches include what National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) previously categorized as natural products, whereas psychological and/or physical approaches include what was referred to as mind and body practices.
Examples of Conventional Health Approaches:
Conventional Medicine
Psychotherapy
Physical Rehabilitation
In a special edition of Natural Healing, published by The Mayo Clinic, Brent A. Bauer, M.D, says research in integrative medicine is growing. The studies show that integrative medicine practices can help improve your health, recover from illness and or surgery, and can help with chronic conditions.
The Science Behind Why Healthcare Is Shifting to an Integrative Approach
Well-being is proactive, prevention and self-reliance driven. People who focus on preventative care, ensure maximum vitality. They adopt an attitude and a lifestyle that prevents disease and enhances health. Dr. Kenneth R Pelletier- Integrative Medical Pioneer [3], states that we are seeing a “transition from a disease management industry to a true healthcare system”. Dr. Pelletier is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Dept. of Medicine; Dept. of Family and Community Medicine; and Dept. of Psychiatry at the University of California School of Medicine (UCSF) in San Francisco. he continues that Biology is no longer destiny. Our DNA doesn’t determine our health and disease prospects, as geneticists once believed. According to the new science of epigenetics, the vast majority of our genes are fluid and dynamic—and their expression is shaped by what we think and what we do. Our genetic profile may signal an inherited vulnerability to disease but:
Our choices and behaviors determine whether these genes will be switched on or off
Each of us can influence our genes to create optimal health and longevity.
And there is more science supporting preventive approaches in health.
The Science of Epigenetics & How It Prevents Disease
Epigenetics is defined at Cancer.gov [4] as “The study of how age and exposure to environmental factors, such as diet, exercise, drugs, and chemicals, may cause changes in the way genes are switched on and off without changing the actual DNA sequence. These changes can affect a person’s risk of disease and may be passed from parents to their children”.
The facts:
Patients with the deteriorated condition have adapted the reactive and episodic interactions with doctors and clinicians providing care.
Patients who focus proactively on preventative care, ensure maximum vitality. They adopt an attitude and a lifestyle that prevents disease and enhances health.
The Urgency Behind Why We Need to Shift to an Integrative Approach
Chronic diseases are the dominant drivers of health care costs in the United States. According to an article in the National Library of Medicine (NIH) [5] by Wullianallur Raghupathi and Viju Raghupathi, “nearly half (approximately 45%, or 133 million) of all Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease and the number is growing. Chronic diseases—including, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, respiratory diseases, arthritis, obesity, and oral diseases—can lead to hospitalization, long-term disability, reduced quality of life, and death.”
Furthermore, as more information is available to us, we have become more concerned about the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs and the toxic overload chemicals in our food, personal care, cosmetics, beauty products, and our environment. It is no surprise that society is pivoting toward seeking natural solutions to treating ailments and diseases.
In an article published by John Elfien [6] titled “Chronic disease prevention in the U.S. – Statistics & Facts,” the CDC estimates:
Six in ten adults in the United States currently live with chronic diseases
Avoiding chronic disease risk factors and following preventative behaviors can greatly reduce one’s risk of developing a chronic disease, these include:
Avoiding smoking
Avoid excessive alcohol use,
Healthy eating and weight management
Exercise regularly.
Sleep
Screen regularly for certain diseases.
Evidence on the Medicinal and Health Benefits in Cancer Care
The Cancer Treatment Centers of America [7] say “An integrative approach to cancer care treats the disease with surgery, chemotherapy and other conventional tools, while also supporting patients’ strength, stamina and quality of life with evidence-informed therapies.”
Over the past decade, an overwhelming amount of research, clinical trials, and studies have been carried out throughout the world, that all support the traditional use of integrative medicine.
We hope that you have enjoyed this article. The shocking health statistics illustrate the urgency for us all to adopt an integrative approach to our health care. Stay tuned for more articles in this series.
References:
[1]National Wellness Institute (NWI) https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/
[2] Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/integrative-medicine-health/sections/overview/ovc-20464567
[3] Dr. Pelletier, Dr. Pelletier is a Clinical Professor of Medicine, Dept. of Medicine; Dept. of Family and Community Medicine; and Dept. of Psychiatry at the University of California School of Medicine
[5] National Library of Medicine (NIH) An Empirical Study of Chronic Diseases in the United States: A Visual Analytics Approach to Public Health https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/3/431
[6] John Elfien “Chronic disease prevention in the U.S. – Statistics & Facts https://www.statista.com/topics/8951/chronic-disease-prevention-in-the-us/
18;15(3)
[7] https://www.cancercenter.com/integrative-care#:~:text=An%20integrative%20approach%20to%20cancer,life%20with%20evidence%2Dinformed%20therapies.
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