Dimensions of health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing

The state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual existence characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

Physical health and wellbeing

Relates to the state and functioning of the body and its systems; it includes the physical capacity to perform daily activities or tasks.

Physical HWB factors

- Appropriate levels of fitness

     - Physical capacity to perform daily tasks   

     - Healthy body weight

     - Well-functioning body, systems and organs   

     - Absence of illness, disease or injury

     - Optimal blood pressure

     - Optimal levels of energy

Social health and wellbeing

Relates to the state and quality of the interactions and relationships that an individual has with other people. It includes the ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations.

Social HWB factors

- Effective communication with others

- Supportive and well-functioning family

- Productive relationships with other people

- Supportive network of friends

- Ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations

Mental health and wellbeing

The current state of wellbeing relating to the mind or brain and the ability to think and process information. 

Mental HWB factors

 - Low levels of stress and anxiety

      - Optimal self-esteem

      - Ability to think and process information

- High levels of confidence

- Positive thought patterns

- Use logic and reasoning to form opinions and make decisions

Emotional health and wellbeing

Relates to the ability to express emotions and feelings in an appropriate way. 

Emotional HWB factors

- Recognise and understand emotional actions and reactions 

- Effectively express and manage emotional actions and reactions

- Experience appropriate emotions in given scenarios

- Have a high level of resilience

Spiritual health and wellbeing

  - A sense of belonging and connection to the world

- Positive meaning, place and purpose in life

- Peace and harmony

- Developed personal values and beliefs

- Acting according to values and beliefs