Don't just live...live WELL!
|
Through our model, the journey toward transformation leads through seven Health and Wellness areas: spiritual, social, environmental, intellectual, emotional, physical, and occupational. These areas are founded on the original model developed by Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute (NWI) in 1976. Based on 5A Elite's extensive knowledge and work in the health and wellness arena, Dr. Hettler's model has been adapted and customized for relevance to the specific needs of the children, families and youth we serve, as well as our qualified and dedicated staff who carry out the work.
|
The Wellness Dimensions overlap and coordinate to provide rich environments for living. Wellness becomes a framework that is valuable for serving the wants and needs of a person.
Spiritual Living with a meaning and purpose in life, guided by personal values, is key to feelings of well-being and connection to the larger world.
Social Interactions with family, friends, neighbors and chosen peer groups can be valuable for maintaining health. Personal contact by joining clubs, traveling, visiting friends and family, engaging in intergenerational experiences is beneficial for everyone.
Emotional Feelings are the lens through which people view the world, and the ability to be aware of and direct one’s feelings helps to create balance in life. Coping with challenges and behaving in trustworthy and respectful ways signal emotional wellness, attributes that can be encouraged through peer counseling, stress management, humor/laughter and personal histories.
Intellectual Engaging in creative pursuits and intellectually stimulating activities is a proven approach to keeping minds alert and interested. There are many ways to stay intellectually active, including taking college courses, journaling, painting or joining a theater company, and challenging oneself with games and puzzles.
Environmental Surrounded by natural and man-made environments, good stewardship means respecting resources by choosing “green” processes that re-use and recycle goods. It also means looking at ways to bring people into the natural environment and encourage active living through urban and property designs emphasizing walking paths, meditation and vegetable gardens and similar options.
Physical The goal of living independently is one shared by many people, and physical wellness is necessary to achieve this. Lifestyle choices that can maintain or improve health and functional ability include engaging in physical activity, choosing healthy foods with adequate nutrition, getting adequate sleep, managing stress and limiting toxic intake.
Occupational Work that utilizes a person’s skills while providing personal satisfaction is valuable for society as well as the individual. Participating in the paid and unpaid workforce means maintaining or improving skills, and helping others. Leisure-time vocations in the arts and through hobbies maintain occupational skills.
Spiritual Living with a meaning and purpose in life, guided by personal values, is key to feelings of well-being and connection to the larger world.
Social Interactions with family, friends, neighbors and chosen peer groups can be valuable for maintaining health. Personal contact by joining clubs, traveling, visiting friends and family, engaging in intergenerational experiences is beneficial for everyone.
Emotional Feelings are the lens through which people view the world, and the ability to be aware of and direct one’s feelings helps to create balance in life. Coping with challenges and behaving in trustworthy and respectful ways signal emotional wellness, attributes that can be encouraged through peer counseling, stress management, humor/laughter and personal histories.
Intellectual Engaging in creative pursuits and intellectually stimulating activities is a proven approach to keeping minds alert and interested. There are many ways to stay intellectually active, including taking college courses, journaling, painting or joining a theater company, and challenging oneself with games and puzzles.
Environmental Surrounded by natural and man-made environments, good stewardship means respecting resources by choosing “green” processes that re-use and recycle goods. It also means looking at ways to bring people into the natural environment and encourage active living through urban and property designs emphasizing walking paths, meditation and vegetable gardens and similar options.
Physical The goal of living independently is one shared by many people, and physical wellness is necessary to achieve this. Lifestyle choices that can maintain or improve health and functional ability include engaging in physical activity, choosing healthy foods with adequate nutrition, getting adequate sleep, managing stress and limiting toxic intake.
Occupational Work that utilizes a person’s skills while providing personal satisfaction is valuable for society as well as the individual. Participating in the paid and unpaid workforce means maintaining or improving skills, and helping others. Leisure-time vocations in the arts and through hobbies maintain occupational skills.