The 8 dimensions of self-care and well-being are shown in the picture below. Basically, self-care means to take care of yourself as much as you can in all areas of your life. Those areas are often referred to as the 8 dimensions and each one is an important part of your overall well-being.

A big part of self-care is taking action, but it also includes thoughts and feelings along with skills and abilities. Each person is unique as are their circumstances. There are different levels of well-being in each dimension for different people.

When you do something good for yourself, it will have a positive impact on one or more of the 8 dimensions. If you are suffering in some way in any area, it may also have a negative impact on other areas of your life.

It’s like a ripple effect or a domino effect. Each aspect of your well-being is a distinct area and yet each one can be impacted by some or all of the others.

If some aspect of your well-being is not what you want it to be, give that area some extra attention to bring things into a better balance.

Self-care is an on-going process. Your current level of well-being might be different than it was a year ago. Also, it might change by this time next year.

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Even when you are doing your best for your self-care, there may be a need for something beyond what you can do for yourself. Do not hesitate to see a doctor, dentist or other professional when the need arises.

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Here is an outline about each one of the 8 dimensions as well as a few tips for that part of your life.

Physical

Self-care and well-being for the physical dimension includes things such as physical activity, eating a healthy and balanced diet and getting adequate sleep.

Depending on your age and overall physical condition, there are numerous physical activities that are good for you. The activities range from low-intensity to vigorous and include yoga, walking, running, bike riding, skiing, dancing, tennis, gardening and so on.

Going to the park or the zoo with your kids or grandkids is a great way to get out and move around. The extra steps you take when you park farther away from a store is just an example of a simple thing that can help make a positive difference.

You are probably already aware that smoking and being overweight can be a disadvantage to your health. It’s in your own best interest to make healthy changes. Sorry, I didn’t mean for that to be a lecture – I’m just telling it like it is.

Emotional

This aspect is about how well you cope with life. It’s also about creating satisfying relationships with others.

A person with good emotional health is usually confident and in control of their feelings and behavior. Also, they are better able to handle challenges in their life.

A person’s emotional health can be maintained or improved with the help of recreational activities that involve some or all of the senses: smell, taste, touch, sight and sound.

Examples of recreational activities that can be good for emotional health include:
• Listening to music
• Eating a favorite food
• Enjoying a scented candle
• Playing with a pet
• Watching a favorite movie
• Taking pleasure in the sunset

Intellectual

Your intellectual well-being is the part that recognizes your unique talents and abilities, whatever they may be. Your intellectual area can also help you find ways to expand your knowledge and skills.

Intellectual well-being can be maintained or improved by reading, doing puzzles (such as crossword or Sudoku), lively conversations with others, learning to play a musical instrument, learning a new language or getting involved with a new hobby.

People that pay attention to their intellectual well-being will often realize that their concentration is better, they have a better memory and their thinking skills are better.

Social

Social well-being is a sense of connection, a feeling of belonging and a strong support system.

Your social well-being is sustained and/or strengthened when you:
• Ask a colleauge or acquaintance out for lunch
• Join a club or organization
• Use good communication skills
• Be truthful and genuine with others
• Treat others with respect

Occupational

Occupational well-being refers to the level of satisfaction and enrichment a person gets from their current job or profession.

A person is more likely to have a higher level of occupational well-being when:
• They like the work and find it meaningful
• The work fits their values, interests and skills
• They feel adequately rewarded for their work
• The workplace culture is supportive
• The co-workers and management are genial

Even when you enjoy your work, it can be stressful at times. That is one of the reasons it’s important to have a good balance between work and leisure time.

Financial

Financial well-being is a feeling of satisfaction concerning your current financial status as well as the future outlook for your financial situation.

Your well-being in this area is about much more than just income. It’s about having a good balance between income and expenses.

My grandfather taught me a valuable lesson about financial situations. When I was young, I admired the “rich folks” with the big homes and fancy cars. Grandpa Joe was a farmer. Although he lacked a formal education, he was both smart and wise.
• He spent less than he made
• He paid his bills on time
• He added to his savings account each month
• He gave to a few charities to benefit others

It turns out that Grandpa Joe was worth a small fortune. On the other hand, many of the “rich folks” were heavily in debt because their spending habits were higher than their income. Over the years, several of those “rich folks” lost most of what they had due to foreclosure and/or bankruptcy. We should all be more like Grandpa Joe.

Finances are a common source of stress for many people. Having a good financial plan for you and your family can have a positive impact on your overall well-being.

Environmental

Your environmental well-being is related to your surroundings, both social and natural.

These things can benefit your environmental well-being:
• Minimize clutter and disorganization in your home
• Conserve energy by turning off water and lights when not in use
• Buy products with minimal packaging
• Recycle and reuse when ever possible
• Plant a personal or community garden
• Support anti-littering and anti-pollution programs
• Promote a neighborhood watch for safety and security

Spiritual

Spiritual well-being is refers to your values and beliefs. Those values and beliefs can help you find a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Spiritual well-being can come from activities such as self-reflection, meditation, prayer, spending time in nature or volunteering.

A person with strong spiritual well-being is more likely to have self-confidence and a feeling of inner peace.

Well-being in the spiritual aspect can be maintained or improved when a person has a quiet place for solitude or a place for curiosity and lightheartedness.

Questions for self-reflection:
• Of the 8 dimensions, which are your strongest?
• Which areas would you like to improve?
• What would you life be like if you made those improvements?

Setting goals for yourself in each area of your life will help add to your fulfillment and overall well-being.

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Here’s a related video.

After you have read about the 8 dimensions of self-care and well-being, you may want to return to the Home page