There is a quote we love, “We must come together with one heart, one mind, one love and one determination.” – William Commanda.

Mental wellness is the key element for positivity, structure, support, well-being, promise, success, etc. Without caring for your mind, the rabbit hole of consequences could change those, as mentioned above. At Alta Loma Transformational Services, we are different from the pack, aligning mental well-being into treatment from addiction to mental illness.

From day one, we work with our clients on finding and treating mental setbacks. But what are those setbacks? How can I address something that I may not know about? Why do I consistently get a diagnosis for something that may not treat the whole situation? At Alta Loma, we get these questions a lot, and when looking for mental health services in and near the Austin area, we want you to know you are not alone!

This blog wants to outline the eight dimensions of wellness – emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, environmental, financial, occupational, and social. Achieving wellness in each area is vital. When out of sync, any of the eight dimensions of wellness can impact others. When mental health and/or substance abuse is an issue, it’s crucial to seek treatment to improve overall health. A holistic approach to wellness is essential for sound physical health and mental health. Now that we have that out of the way — here is your guide…

Ready to get your mental wellness in check?!

Alta Loma is Austin’s leading mental health team and we are ready to help you!

Emotional Wellness

The ability to handle stress and deal with loss is associated with emotional wellness. Stress is pressure from the outside that causes discomfort on the inside, challenging your emotional health. Stress can also lead to anger as a secondary emotion.

Stress is not always negative. For example, getting a long-anticipated promotion can lead to feelings of stress because the employee may worry about how they will handle more responsibilities. The pressure they feel may cause them to work diligently to excel at new duties. Once they become comfortable with the new position, anxiety may give way to confidence.

How an individual copes with loss is another aspect of emotional wellness. Examples of losses include death, relationships and financial independence. Loss can lead to low self-esteem, loneliness and feeling like a failure. Achieving healthy emotional wellness requires working through these issues.

An unhealthy mental state can lead to conditions like high blood pressure and depression, so it’s essential to engage in practices that promote good health. Healthy eating, exercising to reduce stress and meditation are suggested methods to help you take control of your health. Other options are anxiety disorder treatment, getting to the root of emotional trauma with family therapy and working on a self-improvement plan.

Spiritual Wellness

For some individuals, spiritual wellness aligns with religion; for others, it’s about their beliefs, purpose and values. Attitudes toward spiritual wellness may come from upbringing or experiences. Some people have difficulty achieving spirituality as they try to balance what they learned during their formative years with what they observe as adults. For example, when they spend time with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, they may realize they have a misinformed view of other groups.

Achieving Strong Spiritual Health

People seeking spiritual wellness may consider different philosophies, teachings and viewpoints. They may set aside time for meditation, personal reflection, study or prayer as they seek to improve themselves and achieve spiritual health. A person’s stage of life can influence spiritual thinking. As people contemplate leaving a legacy of service, they often seek ways to help others. It’s not unusual for spiritually healthy people to volunteer.

Intellectual Wellness

Most people have heard the cliché, “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it,” referring to the mind. Being well intellectually includes feeding and exercising the brain to keep it functioning optimally. Some studies show eating a nutrient-dense diet, including various fruits and vegetables, may enhance brain health. Stimulating the brain through learning is a way to improve intellectual wellness. Substance abuse can affect intellectual wellness, so getting treatment can help.

The Brain Needs Exercise

Reading, exercising critical thinking skills and problem-solving are intellectual wellness activities that help keep the brain working well. One of the easiest ways to engage in all these activities is to take a course. Expanding knowledge by learning a different language or taking a class in creative writing or music appreciation are examples of learning opportunities that can help you achieve intellectual wellness. There’s no need to worry about going to campus; you can find courses of all types online, and many are free.

Physical Wellness

Physical health is one of the eight dimensions of wellness that can be the foundation for overall well-being. Physical well-being comes from taking care of the body by consuming healthy food and getting adequate physical activity and rest.

The Role of Nutrition and Exercise in Physical Wellness

Good nutrition helps people avoid illnesses associated with poor eating habits. Preventing chronic disease can save money on health care costs that impact financial wellness. Healthy choices, such as adding more plant-based foods to meals, can boost immunity. If you’re like many people, you need exercise or physical activity. Going for a 30-minute walk most days of the week can help you maintain a healthy weight. Outdoor activities like working in a community garden can be a healthy way to spend leisure time.

Sleep Is Essential for Physical Wellness

Getting at least eight hours of sleep can contribute to a healthy weight and help individuals feel energized. Adequate sleep enables employees to remain alert, contributing to occupational wellness. Safe work environments are vital when employees provide medical care or transportation services or use hazardous equipment.

You may need help developing healthy habits. Eating healthy can be challenging when you eat to feel better emotionally. Food addiction may be an issue if you have problems setting healthy boundaries. Mental health services that include counseling for eating disorders can improve your overall wellness.

Do you get enough sleep? Do you exercise your brain?

When you come to Alta Loma’s Ranch, your mind will awaken and we will get you mental health aligned!

Environmental Wellness

Clean and clutter-free spaces can help you achieve environmental wellness. Imagine going to your favorite park and seeing litter strewn over the grounds and plastic bottles floating around the lake’s edge. The peaceful natural surroundings you’ve come to enjoy wouldn’t feel so comfortable anymore.

The Impact of Clutter

Achieving environmental well-being is one of the eight dimensions of wellness that involves appreciating your environment, whether in your home, office or favorite outdoor space. If areas in your home are difficult to navigate due to piles of items, you might feel overwhelmed and depressed by it all.

Some people find it hard to get rid of things they don’t use and end up with living spaces filled with tripping hazards or places that attract insects and rodents. If this describes your home or office, maybe it’s time to talk with someone and determine why you’re emotionally attached to stuff. You can learn how to manage environmental wellness and create spaces that put you on the path to overall well-being.

Financial Wellness

 It may seem odd to see finance included in one of the eight dimensions of wellness. Still, money problems can be a source of stress. Financial wellness can be difficult to achieve when individuals have limited resources. Financial wellness means being secure in meeting current financial commitments with a plan for a secure financial future.

Financial Challenges

Financial challenges can lead to bad credit, not enough money for expenses and bankruptcy. Financial literacy plays a role in managing financial health. Knowing about credit, saving and investing helps individuals and families make wise purchases and avoid financial problems such as excessive credit card debt.

Financial strain can lead to divorce, stress, substance abuse and other family problems. Recovering the distress from money problems may require mental health services and resources to improve your financial situation. Overspending due to bipolar disorder, for example, may require a change in bipolar disorder treatment. When drug abuse or alcohol addiction contributes to the problem, treatment can help.

Occupational Wellness

Working in a nurturing, safe and clean environment contributes to occupational wellness. A workplace that exposes employees to bullying, harassment and conditions that cause injury and illness can be hazardous to mental health and physical health. If you work for an organization that makes it challenging to achieve occupational wellness, it may be time for a career change.

Social Wellness

Socially well individuals enjoy strong and supportive relationships. They have family, friends and acquaintances who seek their best interests and will be there when the going gets tough. However, your social wellness is not dependent on lots of friends. A healthy social dimension may mean healthy relationships with a few people whose company you enjoy and who make up a healthy support network.

Some people have difficulty creating satisfying relationships. Others find themselves in toxic relationships where they endure constant physical or verbal abuse from a family member or other relationship problems. You may feel unloved and anxious if this describes you, always expecting the worst.

Toxic Relationships and Social Wellness

During childhood, people who experience toxic relationships may associate with toxic individuals in adulthood. Toxic environments can lead to drug addiction or alcohol addiction. Breaking free from such relationships requires help to see how mentally and physically draining they can be. Whether the solution is family therapy, personality disorder treatment or supportive living, an Austin mental health professional can help with good communication skills and social wellness.

Incorporating the 8 Dimensions of Wellness into Your Recovery

The eight dimensions of wellness are intertwined. When you experience difficulty in one of the dimensions of wellness, you may feel the impact on another. You can get help to improve overall wellness and create a well-developed support system. Extended care recovery and treatment programs in Austin, TX, can aid you in identifying the source of your problems and finding solutions to improve all dimensions of wellness along with your mental and physical fortitude. 

To learn how you can incorporate this guide into your life, call Alta Loma today