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Embodying The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Road to Recovery – A Whole Health Approach

Lauren Spiro Des Moines, Iowa June 19-20, 2012

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What is Wellness ?

Wellness is a philosophy or approach for developing a healthy lifestyle that positively affects our quality of life.

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Origins of Thinking about Wellness

• The wellness philosophy dates back centuries.

“A wise man/woman should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings and learn how to by, his/her own thought, derive benefit from his/her illness.” –Hippocrates, 460–400 B.C.

• For centuries people have aspired to principles for “good living” that emphasize the importance of a balance between mind, body, and spirit wellness.

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Origins of Thinking about Wellness

• The wellness philosophy was influenced by Chinese medical practices and eastern philosophy, which:

– emphasizes interactions of the mind, body, spirit, and environment; and

– interprets the body’s symptoms as reflective of mental or spiritual conflict or imbalance.

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Origins of Thinking about Wellness

500 A.D. Temple Healing- Ancient Greek temples functioned as a place to remove one’s self from stress and pulls of life.

- The focus of ancient Greek healing was on diet, relaxation, self-examination which was believed to help restore energy, vitality, and a sense of wholeness, harmony, and balance.

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Origins of Thinking about Wellness

Greek Humanism takes a holistic view of the individual; arts, philosophy, humor, and spirituality were seen as lifestyle practices to replace:

– stress with harmony;

– anger with peace;

– despair with hope ; and

– isolation with community.

Healing in Greek Humanism incorporated modalities such as music, body work, visual arts, exercise, healthy nutrition, meditation, play, and imagery.

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The Modern Era of Wellness

Halbert Dunn (1896-1975)Former Assistant Surgeon GeneralFather of the Wellness Movement

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High-Level Wellness

• Promotes personal responsibility

• Wellness is not just the absence of disease, illness, and symptoms, but the presence of:

– purpose in life;

– active involvement in satisfying work/play;

– joyful relationships;

– a healthy body and living environment; and

– the presence of happiness.

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High-Level Wellness

• High-level wellness is an integrated way of living oriented toward maximizing an individual’s POTENTIAL within the environment.

“There is not an optimal level of wellness, but rather that wellness is a direction in the progress towards ever-high POTENTIAL of functioning.”

Dunn, H. (1961). High-Level Wellness, Basic Books.

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The Impact of Social Exclusion on Wellness

• People with mental health and/or addiction challenges are vulnerable to early mortality due to:– modifiable risk factors (obesity, smoking);

– poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and social isolation;

– the impact of psychiatric pharmaceuticals;

– challenges accessing health care—getting into care and getting the right care (culturally attuned, appropriate care); and

– hopelessness/learned helplessness/trauma.

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Social Exclusion

• People with mental health problems and substance addiction problems also experience:– Poor sleep

– Poverty

– Dental problems

– Smoking

– Obesity/poor nutritional status

– Loneliness and isolation

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WELLNESS MODEL

• Attitude shift

• Belief in yourself: belief system drives your attitude

• Balance

• Control/choice

• Decisions: Assume personal responsibility to make informed decisions

• Environment that supports your efforts toward a wellness lifestyle

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Eight Dimensions of Wellness

• Wellness addresses the whole person, taking into account the following eight dimensions: – Physical

– Spiritual

– Emotional

– Social

– Occupational

– Intellectual

– Environmental

– Financial

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Physical

The Physical dimension:

• recognizes the need for regular physical activity and learn about diet and nutrition while discouraging the use of tobacco, drugs, and excessive alcohol consumption.

• encourages individuals to pay attention to physical health needs (e.g., nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, stress level).

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Physical (continued)

• promotes developing a balanced routine—such as adequate sleep and rest, exercise, and other activities (yoga, meditation) that promote health and counteract the potential negative impact of our stress responses.

• takes personal responsibility and care for illnesses, including knowing when to reach out to others for information, assistance, or support (e.g., alternative healing practitioners, medical attention, etc.).

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Spiritual

• The Spiritual dimension includes connections within and beyond one’s self that encompasses one’s personal values and principles and enhance our sense of self.

• Spirituality recognizes our search or our need for meaning and purpose. It includes the development of a deep appreciation for the depth and expanse of life and natural forces that exist in the universe.

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Emotional

The Emotional dimension:

• promotes the ability to manage one’s feelings and the situation with a realistic assessment of one’s role and limitations and one’s resources to cope effectively.

• supports the notion that curious inquiry and tolerance enhances our awareness of and acceptance of a wide range of feelings and behaviors expressed by self and others.

• encourages the ability to live and work interdependently, realizing the importance of giving and receiving information, resources, and support in a culturally attuned (trauma-informed) manner.

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Emotional (cont.)

• encompasses the ability to take risks and recognize conflict as a learning opportunity.

• promotes acceptance of self and others as we pursue our vision, values, and goals.

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Social

The Social dimension:

• encourages contributing to the environment and community and emphasizes the interdependence between others and nature.

• promotes establishing and maintaining better communication with those around you.

• encourages enhancing personal relationships and important friendships, as well as creating or maintaining a healthy living space and community, are key attributes.

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Occupation

• The opportunity to participate in activities that are meaningful and rewarding and you feel that contribute your unique gifts, skills, and talents

• The opportunity to participate in activities that are in line with personal values, interests, and beliefs

• Personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life is derived from participation in work and volunteer activity, as well as activities and tasks from which we derive meaning, pleasure, and gratification.

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Intellectual

The Intellectual dimension includes:

• recognizing our creative abilities and finding ways to expand our knowledge and skills while discovering the potential for sharing our gifts with others.

• spending time pursuing personal interests—expanding our minds.

• keeping abreast of current issues and ideas.

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Environmental

The environment includes our living, learning, and working spaces and the larger communities where we participate as members.

The Environmental dimension encourages:

•finding pleasant, stimulating environments that support physical, social, and emotional well-being.

•finding or creating places that promote learning, contemplation, and relaxation.

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Financial

The Financial dimension includes:

• Feeling in control of your personal finances; for example, budgeting, creating a plan to manage debt, and investing for your future.

• Satisfaction with current and future financial situations

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Wellness Approach

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Pathology Approach

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WELLNESS APPROACH

Multi-dimensional. Includes physical, mental-emotional, intellectual, social, environmental, and spiritual dimensions.

• Spiritual dimension viewed as strength.

PATHOLOGY APPROACH

• Narrowly focused on illness, symptoms, deficiencies, and incapacity.

• Spiritual dimension viewed as pathology.

Wellness Approach v. Pathology Approach

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WELLNESS APPROACH

• (Re)-establish valued roles and pursuit of recovery goals

• The individual is empowered to assume personal responsibility for health and lifestyle.

PATHOLOGY APPROACH

• Symptom reduction and rapid stabilization

• The individual is expected to adhere to the advice of professionals.

Wellness Approach v. Pathology Approach

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WELLNESS APPROACH

• Provider offers education, guidance, and support

• Motivation for change is health and personal control

PATHOLOGY APPROACH

• Provider acts as expert and prescribes what they feel is in the best interest of the person

• Motivation for change is fear

Wellness Approach v. Pathology Approach

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WELLNESS APPROACH

• The individual is responsible to self-monitor health and modify activity as appropriate when the individual perceives an imbalance.

• Emphasis on personal responsibility, personal strengths, and innate or natural resources

PATHOLOGY APPROACH

• The individual is expected to comply or adhere to the professional advise.

• Emphasis on pharmacological intervention

Wellness Approach vs. Pathology Approach

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In Appreciation

Special acknowledgment and appreciation is given to

Peggy Swarbrick

for generously sharing materials she has developed on wellness and the eight dimensions of wellness, including many of the slides featured as part of this presentation.

Margaret (Peggy) Swarbrick, Ph.D., O.T.R., C.P.R.P.

Director, Institute for Wellness and Recovery Initiatives

Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSP-NJ)

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Nothing About Us Without Us

Lauren Spiro, M.A.DirectorNational Coalition for Mental Health Recoverywww.ncmhr.org, laurenspiro1@gmail.com&Mental Health Communications ManagerSAMHSA Education for Social Inclusion

Project