The term wellbeing covers so many difference aspects of our health, and feel daunting when you first look into it. It’s overwhelming especially when there’s so much conflicting advice out there. Which is why the Pillars of Wellbeing theory is a more manageable way to look at your wellbeing. It can help you prioritise feeling good inside and out.
We’re always told that the body is a temple and we should look after it that way too. A temple has many pillars to keep us up and each of those pillars is a different dimension of our wellbeing.
Wellbeing is more than what we eat and how much we exercise (although that is a part of it). It encompasses much more than that and is more holistic; encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment. Things like our morning routine are so so important when it comes to our wellbeing!
What are the pillars of wellbeing?
The six dimensions of wellbeing is a theory developed by Dr Bill Hettler from the National Wellness Institute.
So, what are these pillars, I hear you ask? The basic 6 pillars are physical, emotional, intellectual, environmental, occupational and spiritual. However, there are so many other areas too – two significant ones being digital wellbeing and financial wellbeing.
Wellness means different things to each of us. Because of this, the importance of different dimensions may vary significantly between us all. Some people may derive their greatest sense of satisfaction or purpose from their work, while others place greater value on their physical health, spirituality, or family relationships.
Why looking after our wellbeing is important with a chronic illness
Wellbeing and mindset is essential for a chronic illness. Not only does it help us manage symptoms better, but it also makes life more enjoyable.
Just because our health isn’t great that doesn’t mean that we can’t still be happy and find wellness.
A lot of people think that our overall wellbeing and life satisfaction is determined mainly by our genetics and our life circumstances. However, that’s not true!!
A study conducted by Sonja Lyubomirsky showed that whilst our genetics do play a part in how we react to things and our happiness (50%), only 10% of our life satisfaction is impacted by life circumstances. Our actions and thoughts, which we have control over, impact our base happiness and overall life satisfaction by 40%!
How crazy is that, we have so much control over our happiness and wellbeing. Which is why being active and intentional with our wellbeing practices are so important.
It’s is the reason I’m so passionate about wellbeing. It plays such a massive role in our overall life satisfaction but actually, it’s something we can often forget about or not give priority to.
To me, wellness isn’t just been in a state of good health. It’s a state of mind and a way of living. It isn’t held solely to people who spend their life at yoga retreats eating kale (not that that is a bad thing).
The overall ‘aim’ of wellness is to achieve happiness and joy and be ‘well’. However there is more than just physical health which we can work on.
Breaking down the pillars of wellbeing
So we know what the pillars are, and why they’re so important. So it’s time to break down each of the pillars…
Physical Wellbeing
Physical wellbeing encompasses SO much and doesn’t just mean being ‘well’. It includes eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough sleep. It’s unique to every single person. Even if you have a chronic illness, you can still achieve your version of physical wellbeing.
Maybe it’s finding a gentle form of exercise such as swimming or yoga. How about making sure you’re getting enough fruit and veggies.
If you’re making any changes to your diet or exercise regime, it might be worth having a chat with your specialist nurse or doctor.
Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional wellness is something I’m constantly working on. It’s important for us all to keep in check with our mental health and there are lots of ways to do so.
Having a chronic illness doesn’t mean that you have to be unhappy. Yes, it can be hard and there will be ups and downs. But remember, NO ONE is always happy. Life is about learning from the ups and downs and learning how to pick yourself up.
Social Pillars of Wellbeing
Social wellbeing is all about the personal connections we have with people and who we surround ourselves with.
Living with a chronic illness can be isolating. Maybe it’s because you can’t leave the house or because you feel like no one gets you.
However, humans are programmed to need social interaction.
You may class yourself as an introvert. But being an introvert doesn’t mean that you don’t need social interaction. It means that the type of social interaction is different. You can still crave time to yourself but you might find it easier being in small groups and one-on-one rather than a big mass of people.
But how can you find social wellbeing with a chronic illness? Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends. If leaving the house is too much for you, have a phone call or FaceTime. If you’re looking to make new friends who understand your illness, try and find a support group.
Environmental Pillars of Wellbeing
There are two aspects to environmental wellness; being in nature and your environment (aka your house/room).
Having a relationship with nature has so many benefits, including positively impacting mental health and reducing stress level.
Getting outside in the fresh air and amongst nature is one of the best things you can do.
However, chronic illness can limit your access to nature. Some ways in which you can incorporate the environment into your life include;
- having house plants and bringing nature indoors
- opening your windows and doors and getting fresh air
- sitting in your garden
- use essential oils
Creating calm spaces in your house is a great way to improve your environment.
Intellectual Wellbeing
Intellectual wellbeing isn’t about how smart or clever you are. It’s more how you stimulate your mind, how you grow and how you challenge yourself and your mindset.
Reading books (especially non-fiction), watching Ted Talks, going to lectures and talks, debating and taking up new hobbies are all great ways to feed your intellectual wellbeing.
The best thing is you can do all of these in some capacity at home if you’re not feeling well enough to leave the house.
Spiritual Wellbeing
Spiritual wellbeing can mean different things to different people. It doesn’t have to mean religious spirituality. It’s something I’ve been looking into recently and for me, spiritual wellness includes yoga, mediation, quiet reflection and gratitude practice.
Finding something which keeps you grounded, allows for reflection and achieving calmness is key for me.
Make sure you check out this post on reasons to get up early in the morning!
Leave a Reply