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The Dimensions of Wellness Your Wellness in Action!

October is for Emotional Wellness!

This month, POWER is highlighting Emotional Wellbeing. We will be focusing on how to recognize, understand, and manage our emotions in healthy ways. Emotional wellbeing is about more than just reducing stress; it’s about building resilience, finding balance, and creating space to care for yourself and others. Click the link to find on-campus activities where you can practice Emotional Wellbeing!

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What is Wellness?

Wellness is more than just physical health—it’s about finding balance and thriving across all areas of life. At the University of Kentucky, we use the Eight Dimensions of Wellness to guide our approach: emotional, physical, occupational, intellectual, financial, social, environmental, and spiritual.

These dimensions are interconnected, with each one building on the others to shape your overall well-being. Wellness is about the choices you make every day and the joy, fulfillment, and health you experience along the way.

The Dimensions

Emotional Wellness

Emotional wellness means being aware of and accepting your feelings, managing stress, and coping effectively with life's challenges.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Put on a song that matches or shifts your mood. Go for a walk without your phone, notice how you feel or the things around you. Join a support group or campus workshop.

UK Resources:

Physical Wellness

Physical wellness involved taking care of your body through physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and regular medical care.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Do a quick stretch for your neck, shoulders, and back. Prep snacks for the day, including hydration! Schedule an appointment or refill prescriptions.

UK Resources:

Social Wellness

Social wellness is about building healthy, supportive relationships and maintaining a sense of connection and belonging.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Send a check-in text to a friend, classmate, or family member. Make a micro-connection! Make a phone call, meet for coffee, or chat in the hall. Attend a student club or organization meeting or event.

UK Resources:

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness encourages learning new things, engaging in creative activities, and challenging your mind.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Practice reframing a thought into a positive perspective. Read an article or post about a new topic - or skip the news for the day! Look into a new skill, game, or activity and start to engage with it.

UK Resources:

Occupational Wellness

Occupational wellness involves finding personal fulfillment and balance in work, school, and career pursuits.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
List your tasks and highlight top 2 priorities for the day. Introduce yourself to a teacher, advisor, or mentor. Update your resume or look into options to add.

UK Resources:

Environmental Wellness

Emotional wellness relates to the surroundings you occupy, whether that be social surroundings and safety or natural surroundings.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Quick space reset (put away clothes, wipe down table, make bed). Take a quick walk in nature or bring a plant into your space. Look into ways to create a more sustainable routine, like reducing plastic use.

UK Resources:

Financial Wellness

Financial wellness includes managing your finances, budgeting wisely, and planning for the future.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Look at your bank account. Set or adjust your monthly financial goals. Download a financial planning app and start using it.

UK Resources:

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual wellness involves finding meaning, purpose, and connection, whether through faith, reflection, or values.

5 MINUTE PRACTICE 30 MINUTE PRACTICE 1 HOUR PRACTICE
Engage in a deep breathing practice and name 1-2 things you're grateful for. Spend time thinking about intentional ways to serve others and act on them. Participate in a retreat, service, or practice that connects with your values.

UK Resources:

Wellness for Students

Students may download the supplemental worksheet to practice the Dimensions of Wellness and become familiar with assessing personal needs based around the SAMHSA model. 

MY WELLNESS IN ACTION SHEET

Wellness for Campus Partners

Campus partners may download the supplemental worksheet to align their programs, services, events, tabling, social media, and campaigns with these themes throughout the academic year. 

2025-26 Monthly Dimensions of Wellness

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