[EJ1] Spinning Towards Wellness: My Ferris Wheel of Health
Updated: Jun 3
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Last February 20, our class delve into concept of Holistic Wellness, introducing to the definition of Wellness, the Wheel of Wellness Model by Sweeney and Witmer (1991 & 1992), and discussed the different dimensions under this model. From the discussion, a quote by D. Stoewen, “Sufficient self-care prevents us from harming those we serve,” struck a chord with me. It made me realize that being healthy in all aspects through the means of self-care is a crucial part when serving people. The positive energy that we project when we feel good sets a great example to the people we serve, promoting holistic well-being. Ultimately, self-care enables us to fulfill our roles more effectively and compassionately. As a result of realizing the importance of self-care and improving my well-being, I felt inspired to make my own wellness model for my first eJournal entry, which I named “My Ferris Wheel of Health" (see Figure 1).
Originally, the Wheel of Wellness Model had eight dimensions: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial, and environmental. However, in creating my own Wheel of Wellness model, I decided to focus on the dimensions that I believe need more improvement to boost my well-being, namely the physical, financial, emotional, and social dimensions.
Firstly, I chose the physical dimension because I have noticed that I have been progressively gaining weight and lacking energy as a result. I easily get tired and often oversleep.
Second, I selected the financial dimension because I have noticed that I spend too much money on my wants, such as clothes, makeup, and going to coffee shops. I realized that in times of emergency or when in need of money, I would not have enough savings to rely on.
Third, my lack of time management and low productivity has been taking a toll on my mental health. Besides addressing this problem, I would like to adopt practices that can help me cope during stressful times, particularly with school-related activities. Hence, I chose the emotional dimension as a component of my Wheel of Wellness.
Lastly, I chose the social dimension because living in this fast-paced world made me realize the importance of showing affection and appreciation, as well as keeping relationships closer with the important people in my life, even in the smallest ways.
From the four dimensions of wellness I have chosen, I have selected eight subcategories, represented by the eight smaller circles inside the wheel, to focus on improving each dimension. These eight subcategories are as follows: exercise, nutrition, savings, budgeting, stress management, mindfulness, relationships, and social engagement. Each category will have two subtasks, which are activities I can focus on until they become part of my routine. I chose these subcategories because I believe they are the aspects where I need the most improvement.
In terms of the eight triangles inside the wheel (see Figure 1), these represent the expected outcomes of each subcategory when all subtasks are practiced regularly. For example, under the subcategory "Exercise," I plan to do low-intensity workouts for 30 minutes three times a day, and one to two sets of dance workouts after each low-intensity workout. By consistently doing these activities, I expect to achieve the outcomes of weight management and increased energy. This example applies to all subcategories. By performing these subtasks under each subcategory, each wellness dimension is gradually improved and strengthened.
Now, after continuously practicing these subtasks, leading to the improvement of the four dimensions, inner growth and better well-being, which are placed at the core of the circle (see Figure 1), will finally be achieved. By improving and strengthening these dimensions, I believe that I will be able to achieve the following: a greater sense of life and overall well-being, which are essential for inner growth (physical dimension); navigating challenges more effectively, leading to greater resilience and inner peace (emotional dimension); reducing stress, guilt, and anxiety related to money, allowing me to focus on personal growth and well-being (financial dimension); and improving social connections and relationships that can provide emotional support, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for personal growth and development (social dimension).
In achieving inner growth and better well-being, the people around me (represented by light purple circles in the wheel), such as my family, friends, community, and companion, as well as myself, will significantly benefit from this result. With the help of my own version of the Wheel of Wellness, it can help me create a balanced and more fulfilling life, which can lead to a better version of myself and a having more meaningful relationships with these important people in my life.
So, how can improving and strengthening the four chosen dimensions of wellness be achieved? For this version of my wellness wheel, I created a Wellness Action Plan (see Figure 1.2). This contains specific subtasks per subcategory, which will aid in enhancing my four chosen dimensions. For example, under the financial dimension, savings subcategory, I plan to save PHP 600.00 every month for my emergency fund. In addition, instead of paying PHP 40.00, I will wake up early and take the three-minute walk to the jeepney terminal to save PHP 10.00. These activities will be implemented into my routine, and my progress will be tracked using a Reviewing Progress Template. Through this, I can keep track of my progress and determine the next course of action to continue improving my inner being and well-being.
Furthermore, to rate the progress I have been making in each dimension, below is my Wellness Action Plan Scale (see Figure 1.3), which can evaluate the progress I have been making.
Through the discussion about Holistic Wellness, particularly the Wheel of Wellness, which highlighted the interconnectedness of various dimensions of well-being, I have been more inspired to improve my well-being. Reflecting on this topic, I realized that integrating this model into my life is not only improving on different aspect of wellness in myself, but also enhancing the experience of the people I serve and will serve in the future. In addition, I believe that prioritizing my chosen dimensions of mine through self-care practices will not only improve my health and deepen my sense of purpose, but also strengthen the relationships around me. With this, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn the concept of Holistic Wellness, having a significant impact on my life. This opportunity empowered me to take better charge of my inner and outer health, guiding me towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.
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