7 Dimensions of Wellness
7 Dimensions of Wellness
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What is Wellness?

This 7 Dimensions of Wellness site is about personal wellness. The quiz you are about to take measures your perception of your overall wellness.

Wellness is a philosophy

Wellness is a way of living healthy, a way of living period.

Personal wellness

Personal wellness is defined as a dynamic process of becoming aware of and making conscious choices toward a more balanced healthy lifestyle. It includes learning new coping and communication skills that address both the positive and negative aspects of human existence.

Wellness as wholeness

Wellness as wholeness is a way of cultivating health and well-being of individuals, communities, organizations, societies, and the environment by living and acting with awareness of the wholeness and the interconnectedness of all living systems.

Wellness requires...

Wellness requires personal transformation vs transactions between individuals. Remembering that no one is perfect, and being well requires taking accountability/responsibility for your own experience.

What is Well-being?*

There is no consensus around a single definition of well-being, but there is general agreement that at minimum, well-being includes the presence of positive emotions and moods (e.g., contentment, happiness), the absence of negative emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety), satisfaction with life, fulfillment and positive functioning. In simple terms, well-being can be described as judging life positively and feeling good. For public health purposes, physical well-being (e.g., feeling very healthy and full of energy) is also viewed as critical to overall well-being. Researchers from different disciplines have examined different aspects of well-being that include the following:

· Physical well-being.
· Economic well-being.
· Social well-being.
· Development and activity.
· Emotional well-being.
· Psychological well-being.
· Life satisfaction.
· Domain specific satisfaction.
· Engaging activities and work.

What is the difference between health-related quality of life, well-being, flourishing, positive mental health, optimal health, happiness, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, life satisfaction, hedonic well-being, and other terms that exist in the literature?

Some researchers suggest that many of the terms are synonymous, whereas others note that there are major differences based on which dimensions are independent and contribute most to well-being. This is an evolving science, with contributions from multiple disciplines. Traditionally, health-related quality of life has been linked to patient outcomes, and has generally focused on deficits in functioning (e.g., pain, negative affect). In contrast, well-being focuses on assets in functioning, including positive emotions and psychological resources (e.g., positive affect, autonomy, mastery) as key components. Some researchers have drawn from both perspectives to measure physical and mental well-being for clinical and economic studies. Subjective well-being typically refers to self-reports contrasted with objective indicators of well-being. The term, "positive mental health" calls attention to the psychological components that comprise well-being from the perspective of individuals interested primarily in the mental health domain. From this perspective, positive mental health is a resource, broadly inclusive of psychological assets and skills essential for well-being. But, the latter generally excludes the physical component of well-being. "Hedonic" well-being focuses on the "feeling" component of well-being (e.g., happiness) in contrast to “eudaimonic” well-being which focuses on the "thinking" component of well-being (e.g., fulfillment). People with high levels of positive emotions, and those who are functioning well psychologically and socially are described by some as having complete mental health, or as "flourishing".

In summary, positive mental health, well-being and flourishing refer to the presence of high levels of positive functioning—primarily in the mental health domain (inclusive of social health). However, in its broadest sense, well-being encompasses physical, mental and social domains.

The reasons why well-being and related constructs should be measured and evaluating how these domains can be changed should help inform which domains, e.g., life satisfaction, positive affect, autonomy, meaning, vitality, pain) should be measured, and which instruments and methods to use.

* Much of this material is taken from pages at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention


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7 Dimensions Defined

The 7-Dimensional Wellness model includes the dimensions of Social, Physical, Emotional, Career, Intellectual, Environmental and Spiritual Wellness.

Social

Social wellness is the process of creating and maintaining healthy relationships. The Social dimension of wellness encourages contributing to your human and physical environment for the common welfare of your community. It emphasizes interdependence and cooperation with others. Social wellness acknowledges that I am part of a family, community, group or circle, not the center of it. Social wellness includes the pursuit of harmony within your relationships and family that cultivated positive communication that is direct, honest and resolves conflicts.

Physical

Physical wellness is not only the process of having a flexible, aerobically fit body. The physical dimension encourages regular physical activity that produces cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and strength to pursue everyday life and leisure activities. The physical dimension encourages knowledge and behavior consistent with good nutrition and discourages the use of tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. It includes activities that contribute health and wellness including seat belt use, getting 7-8 hours of sleep per night, managing disease, implementing medical self-care and appropriate use of the medical system.

Emotional

Emotional wellness is the process of creating and maintaining a positive realistic self concept and enthusiasm about life. The emotional dimension wellness emphasizes an awareness of feelings and acceptance of the fact that you create your own feelings. Emotional wellness includes the degree to which you feel positive and enthusiastic about yourself and life. It includes the capacity to talk about feelings of fear, hurt, anger, sadness and joy, and to manage related behaviors. This includes being able to realistically asses your limitations, develop autonomy and to cope effectively with stress and ego.

Career

Career wellness is the process of making and maintaining choices that are meaningful and that contribute to your own personal growth, as well as to the growth of your employer and your community. The career dimension, occupation or personal work, includes preparing and continuing to prepare for work you enjoy. It includes helping to create a healthy organization that contributes to your own and other's well-being. Occupational wellness is related being responsible to your work and the ability to balance work with the rest of your life.

Intellectual

Intellectual wellness is the process of using your mind to create a greater understanding of yourself and the universe. The intellectual dimension encourages creative, stimulating mental activities. An intellectually well person uses the resources available to expand knowledge, improve skills and increase the potential for sharing with and contributing to others. Intellectually well people use intellectual and cultural activities to question themselves, to re-examine judgments and questions authority.

Environmental

Environmental wellness is the process of making choices to create sustainable human and ecological communities, improving qualities in air, water, land and space. The environmental dimension recognizes that we are accountable for the quality of air we breathe, nourishment we seek, water to quench our thirst and the space to grow. The environmentally well person takes personal and social responsibility for creating sustainable communities that include all of earth's creatures, encourages minimizing use of disposable products, evaluates purchases and conveniences base upon environmental impact.

Spiritual

Spiritual wellness is the process of 'experiencing life' while seeking meaning and purpose in human existence. Spirituality allows one to have consistency between values and behaviors. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life, death and understanding of universal consciousness, (i.e. the 'master stories' or 'archetypes' that represent a commonality or biological imprints derived from the experience of the different races and are present in the unconscious of all individuals). Spiritual people are strongly aware of a wellspring of inner power and development of soul and that there are many paths to take in 'experiencing life' and that every spiritual tradition recognizes and teaches the basic precepts or laws of wise and conscious human conduct, (J. Campbell, The Power of Myth). Spirituality allows one to have consistency between values and behaviors because of the depth of understanding and precepts that re integrated into our 'spiritual Practice' within everyday life of work, family and relationships, (J. Kornfield, A Path with Heart). Generic principles of spiritual wellness include the acceptance of the concept of 'wholeness', i.e. connection with everything in creation. Spiritual wellness includes three working principles: acceptance of: (1) individual uniqueness, (2) diversity and (3) the need for community or bonding (Miriam Therese MacGillis, O.P. Genesis Farm).


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All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Be Your own Wellness Coach

What does this mean?

Becoming your own wellness coach is a concept developed for those who want to review the basics in personal wellness and take the next step toward transformation.

How can I achieve this?

You can become your own wellness coach by having a desire to be a responsible, self-directed and proactive individual.

This is a personal tranformation that occurs over time and involves the following:

  • Self-examination
  • Individual learning
  • Paying attention
  • Responding to and being aware of your responses
  • Accepting accountability for your choices
  • Seeking inner strength and external resources
  • Sharing responsibility for community and compliance to "human values"

Relevance for Wellness Professionals

Employers, Teachers, Wellness Professionals, Trainers and Health Coaches will find that 7dimensionsofwellness.com offers complementary options to assist clients in taking the next steps for well being and that of transformation and insights into connection, consciousness and universal human values, a place in which one finds consistency in "head, heart and hands".

Professional Assessment Plans Menu

All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wellness Quiz FAQs



Before you take the assessment, you may want to review the following FAQs

What does this assessment do?

The 7 Dimensions of Wellness Assessment/Quiz is the first step in making Wellness changes.

This requires being aware.

The assessment provides a holistic measure of perception of the seven dimensions of wellness. The assessment requires being honest and authentic. You must "walk the talk" by being an active participant currently.

The assessment is based upon what the brain believes/perceives and drives the "action" one takes by producing different physiological responses resulting in feelings from optimism to fear.

The individual Quiz Results Section outlines basic wellness concepts. Examples are given to demonstrate how wellness is a dynamic process and how each dimension is interrelated with the others.

What does the assessment cover?

The assessment covers the 7 dimensions of wellness: Social, Physical, Emotional, Career, Intellectual, Environmental and Spritual.

How long does the assessment take?

The free 7 Dimensions of Wellness Assessment takes from 20 to 30 minutes. The professional assessments can take up to 45 minutes, depending on which optional compnents have been selected.

What kind of results do I receive?

Everyone receives an individual report to view or print immediately after taking the quiz.

Professional subscribers receive additional reports: Percentile and Well-being, Individual with Group Average, Individual Scores with Group Percentiles, Individual Scores with Global Percentiles, Time Tracking.

How do I use my assessment results?

We have done the research for you and provide you with the following simple steps toward taking action.

  1. Awareness and Knowledge.
  2. Questioning self worth and/or self efficacy.
  3. Shifting Perceptions in a positive direction and Improving Competencies.
  4. Taking Actions.

How many have taken the assessment?

We have had 6268 participants complete our on-line quiz and receive a results summary.

What other assessment options are available?

Advanced Individual and Professional Assessment Plans


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All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Corporate Wellness



What is Workplace or Corporate Wellness?

Workplace Wellness is defined as:

An organized employer-sponsored program that is designed to support employees (and sometime, their families) as they adopt and sustain behaviors that reduce health risks, improve quality of life, enhance personal effectiveness, and benefit the organization's bottom line.” as defined by Leonard L. Berry, Ann M. Mirabito, and William B. Baum in What's the Hard Return on Employee Wellness Programs? Harvard Business Review. Dec. 2010 pp 1-9.

What is Health Promotion?

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health promotion as the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behavior towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions.

  • When providing wellness programming, health promotion defines the basic marketing and promotion of risk reduction health programs. These health programs are grounded in the disciplines of social marketing, health communication, business marketing and use of incentives that address consumer health "needs" and customer "wants."

Health promotion/wellness programs Defined

  • Comprehensive wellness strategies are based on population health research. Determinates of individual health are attributed to four main factors.
    • 30% of individual's health is based on health behaviors
    • 40% of individual's health is based on social and economic conditions
    • 40% of individual's health is based on physical environments
    • 10% of individual's health is based on good clinical care

  • Example of health promotion programs include but are not limited to:
    • Disease management programs
    • Increased productivity
    • Risk reduction
    • Nutrition and exercise
    • Stress management
    • Health coaching
    • Marketing
    • Communications
    • Incentives

  • Wellness however is based upon a holistic approach that requires individual transformation delivered through focusing on the 7 dimensions of wellness: Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Career, Environmental, and Social.

What is the Health Care Continuum Concept?

  • Introduction to the Health Care Continuum Concept was started In 1970,.by John W. Travis, M.D., MPH. He envisioned the idea for the Illness-Wellness Continuum that placed "wellness" in a revolutionary new context and bridged health and human potential. This early health continuum model bridged the relationship between wellness, medically driven treatment models and high-level wellness

Health Care Continuum
  1. Individuals moving from the center or neutral point to the left or treatment model moved to deteriorating states of health and finally premature death.
  2. Individuals moving to the right of center increased their levels of health and well-being through awareness, education and wellness growth.
  3. One of the core concepts of the continuum was that the Treatment Paradigm could only take individuals back to the neutral point, where the symptoms of disease have been alleviated. The Wellness Paradigm, which could be utilized at any point on the continuum, moved individuals toward higher levels of wellness.

  • In 2012, Eddington introduced a new Health Care Continuum Concept in which he emphasized "Instead of aiming for a return to the status quo, a focus on positive health would move us beyond the status quo toward outcomes that exceed expectations. While risk reduction and health maintenance are noble, it is time to move the focus and efforts toward positive health potential through improved physical, mental, and social capabilities."

Beyond Zero


Who is the Benefit professional?

In larger organizations, the benefit professional works more closely with decision makers to keep the business afloat. They may be or work closely with the Corporate Financial Officer (CFO). They make benefits design based upon real time data analysis, e.g. data mining, in terms of benefit design to save money. In smaller businesses, the benefit design me be done by human resources or outsourced to a broker. See https://www.ifebp.org/

Benefit vs. Human Resource Professionals.

Benefits are different in that they use an actuary approach in using numbers to evaluate the likelihood of future events, and designing creative ways to reduce or manage undesirable events. Benefits role is to “keep the business afloat”. Human resources usually implements benefit plans, hires and motivates employees to perform at their best by exchanging rewards for performance. See http://www.shrm.org/

What is Productivity ROI?

Productivity measurement may provide a better link than disease management to corporate America's bottom line. Example: The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) is a pioneer, leader and nonprofit supplier of health and productivity research, measurement and benchmarking. See http://www.ibiweb.org/

What is Value-based Health Care?

VBHC strives to remove barriers and align both financial and non-financial incentives and rewards for living healthy and productive lives by using prevention, (population health) health enhancement strategies (internal policy, rewards & management support) and health care services (prevention and managed care).

Value-based Insurance Design

V-BID is an innovative approach that can improve clinical outcomes and contain costs. The basic premise of V-BID is to align consumer incentives with value by reducing barriers to high-value health services and providers ("carrots" or intrinsic motivation) and discouraging the use of low-value health services and providers ("sticks" or extrinsic motivation). When "carrots" are coupled with "sticks" in a clinically nuanced manner, V-BID improves health care quality and controls spending growth.

The concept of clinical nuance recognizes that:

  1. Medical services differ in the benefit provided; and
  2. The clinical benefit derived from a specific service depends on the patient using it, as well as when and where the service is provided. See
http://vbidcenter.org/

What is a Wellness Benefit Manager?

This new role combines skill sets of the benefit specialist and the wellness professional with the purpose integration of wellness into benefit design and of enhancing communication. See Abbott Solutions

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All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

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7 Dimensions of Wellness Research Opportunities

In 1990, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point academic program in Wellness and Health Promotion created the 7 dimensions of wellness assessment under the direction of R. Anne Abbott, PhD. (Professor Emeritus of Health Promotion). The 7-dimension model was the first to include the environmental dimensions of wellness. Although the 7 dimensional model has been adapted and replicated around the globe, no research to determine validity or reliability has ever been published.

We are seeking transparency and support in proposing a Well-Being Study, Thanks you for your consideration!

If you would be interested in working with us please contact us.

Thank you,

R. A. Abbott
1351 Maple Ridge
Amherst Junction, WI 54407
Phone: 715-340-6493
Email: abbottsolutions@wi-net.com
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All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Thank you for sending your message to Abbott Solutions!

We will try to respond to you withing the next few days.

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All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

Research Opportunities

7 Dimensions of Wellness Research Opportunities

In 1990, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point academic program in Wellness and Health Promotion created the 7 dimensions of wellness assessment under the direction of R. Anne Abbott, PhD. (Professor Emeritus of Health Promotion). The 7-dimension model was the first to include the environmental dimension of wellness. Although the 7 dimensional model has been adapted and replicated around the globe, no research to determine validity or reliability has ever been published.

We are seeking transparency and support in proposing a Well-Being Study. Thank you for your consideration!

If you would be interested in working with us please contact us.

Thank you,

R. A. Abbott
1351 Maple Ridge
Amherst Junction, WI 54407
Phone: 715-340-6493
Email: abbottsolutions@wi-net.com
Research Application Cancel

All material © Copyright 2017 and trademarked ® by Abbott Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Now that you have completed the wellness quiz and gained some familiarity with the concept of wellness, you may want to consider the next logical step:
Become Your Own Wellness Coach
What does this mean?

Becoming your own wellness coach is a concept developed for those who want to review the basics in personal wellness and take the next step toward transformation.

How can I achieve this?

You can become your own wellness coach by having a desire to be a responsible, self-directed and proactive individual.

This is a personal tranformation that occurs over time and involves the following:

  • Self-examination
  • Individual learning
  • Paying attention
  • Responding to and being aware of your responses
  • Accepting accountability for your choices
  • Seeking inner strength and external resources
  • Sharing responsibility for community and compliance to "human values"
Track Your Progress
These assessment plans can help you track your wellness progress

 Assessments for the individual
Individual report showing percentile scores for the 7 dimensions, global health and well-being

Individual report showing percentile scores for the 7 dimensions, global health and well-being

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Individual report showing calculated scores for the 7 dimensions, global health and well-being

Individual report showing calculated scores for the 7 dimensions, global health and well-being

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Individual Results Report: This is part of the Individual Report which shows results in each of the 7 dimensions. This report is available in the free, standard and advanced individual accounts.

Individual Results Report: This is part of the Individual Report which shows results in each of the 7 dimensions. This report is available in the free, standard and advanced individual accounts.

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Individual vs. Group Percentile Report: This report shows your individual results in percentile in comparison with the average percentile results in each of the 7 dimensions for all users who have taken the assessment. This report is available in the standard and advanced individual accounts.

Individual vs. Group Percentile Report: This report shows your individual results in percentile in comparison with the average percentile results in each of the 7 dimensions for all users who have taken the assessment. This report is available in the standard and advanced individual accounts.

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Individual vs. Group Results Report: This report shows your individual results in comparison with the average results in each of the 7 dimensions for all users who have taken the assessment. This report is available in the standard and advanced individual accounts.

Individual vs. Group Results Report: This report shows your individual results in comparison with the average results in each of the 7 dimensions for all users who have taken the assessment. This report is available in the standard and advanced individual accounts.

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Time Tracking Report - Bar Graph Format: This report shows your individual results in each of the 7 dimensions over time. The bars are color-coded by date and are clustered in each dimension. This report is only available in the s advanced individual account. Users with the Advanced Individual Account can take the assessment up to 5 different times.

Time Tracking Report - Bar Graph Format: This report shows your individual results in each of the 7 dimensions over time. The bars are color-coded by date and are clustered in each dimension. This report is only available in the s advanced individual account. Users with the Advanced Individual Account can take the assessment up to 5 different times.

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Time Tracking Report - Line Graph Format: This report shows your individual results in each of the 7 dimensions over time. Each color-coded line represents a date the assessment was taken. the 7 dimensions are represented on the vertical axis with the scores on the horizontal axis. This report is only available in the s advanced individual account. Users with the Advanced Individual Account can take the assessment up to 5 different times.

Time Tracking Report - Line Graph Format: This report shows your individual results in each of the 7 dimensions over time. Each color-coded line represents a date the assessment was taken. the 7 dimensions are represented on the vertical axis with the scores on the horizontal axis. This report is only available in the s advanced individual account. Users with the Advanced Individual Account can take the assessment up to 5 different times.

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Standard Individual Account

Includes:

  1. Individual Report
  2. General Guidelines for Making Healthy Changes
  3. Individual vs Group Comparison Report
  4. Individual Percentile Report
  5. Selected Consumer Resources
  6. Level I BYOWC Certificate
Pricing and Ordering

Advanced Individual Account

Includes:

  1. Individual can take up to 5 assessments over time
  2. Individual Report
  3. General Guidelines for Making Healthy Changes
  4. Individual/Group Comparison Report
  5. Individual Percentile Report
  6. Time Tracking Report comparing up to 5 results taken over time
  7. Selected Consumer Resources
  8. Level II BYOWC Certificate
Pricing and Ordering


Group Accounts for Employers, Teachers, Wellness Professionals, Trainers, Health Coaches. Wellness professionals, trainers and health coaches will find that 7dimensionsofwellness.com offers complementary options to assist clients in taking the next steps for well being and that of transformation and insights into connection, consciousness and universal human values, a place in which one finds consistency in "head, heart and hands".
Professional Group Free Trial Account

Includes:

  1. Ability to create and administer assessments to your own groups
  2. Group Aggregate Reports
  3. Group Comparison Reports
  4. Demographic Breakdown Reports
  5. 35 Free assessment
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Standard Professional Group Account

Includes:

  1. Ability to create assessment groups and administer assessments to your own groups
  2. Group Aggregate Reports
  3. Group Comparison Reports
  4. Demographic Breakdown Reports
  5. Advanced Ad Hoc Reporting
Pricing and Ordering

Advanced Professional Group Account

Includes:

  1. Ability to create and administer assessments to your own groups
  2. Ability to create time tracking groups
  3. Group Aggregate Reports
  4. Group Comparison Reports
  5. Demographic Breakdown Reports
  6. Time Tracking Reports available for individuals
  7. Advanced Ad Hoc Reporting
Pricing and Ordering


Resources to grow by
Career Wellness