Featured Dimension

October Featured Dimension: Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual Wellness recognizes creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills. Many of us work in higher education because we embody the term “life-long learners” and remain open-minded and curious about exploring the world around us. Intellectual wellness is important to our overall well-being because it motivates us to try new things, can improve our cognition, concentration, and memory, enhance clarity in thinking, help develop our personal values and opinions, and can even allow us to experience a more stimulating life. There are many ways you can “flex” your mental muscles, including:

• Actively learning throughout life - learning never stops

• Being open to new ideas

• Being involved in creative activities (like writing, photography, and community assistance)

• Reading, both fiction and non-fiction

• Staying updated on current affairs

• Participating in hobbies

• A connection to the arts - whether it’s music, dance, or painting - find whatever artistic expression speaks to you

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website.

September Featured Dimension: Physical Wellness

Physical Wellness encompasses the functional process of the body and recognizes the need for physical activity, healthy food, and rest. Some ways to incorporate physical wellness at work include 

• Setting an alarm to remind yourself to drink water throughout the day

• Taking short 1-2 minute breaks each hour to stand up, stretch, or walk around to promote circulation and give your eyes a break from screens. Check out some previous suggestions on the ways to improve well-being with higher levels of technology use

• Incorporating some breathing exercises to lower your stress levels and heart rate, such as the ones on the Wellness Maricopa website or from Healthline

• Trying some calming teas like chamomile, lemon balm, passionflower, or green tea

• Checking out some chair stretches or standing stretches you could do, such as a spinal twist or the cross-arm stretch

• Taking the stairs, if possible, to get some extra activity and engage different muscle groups

• When the weather cools off, take a walk outside or find out if there is an indoor area on campus to get some steps in until temperatures are lower

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website.

August Featured Dimension: Financial Wellness

Financial Wellness is focused on satisfaction with current and future financial situations. To achieve better financial health, read more on helpful financial tips, including:

• Set specific goals: including short, mid-range, and long-term savings goals

• Budget, track, and adjust

• Use credit cards with caution

• Take advantage of savings incentives

• Keep a good credit rating

• Look for savings

• Engage your family and support network

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

July Featured Dimension: Social Wellness

Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system

We learn how to begin navigating the world when we are babies. Our experiences from our senses and our relationships (near and far) help us to understand our surroundings and how we fit in. We learn how to interact with others, express ourselves, conduct everyday health habits, and be a part of different communities. Positive social habits can help us build support systems and stay healthier mentally and physically. Find out more about social wellness and use this helpful toolkit. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

June Featured Dimension: Spiritual Wellness

Expands a sense of purpose and meaning in life

Spiritual wellness is connecting to your inner and outer worlds to support you in living your values and purpose. Visit our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) website and check out Mind Companion Self-Care, a digital self-paced mental well-being program and meditation application within the EAP website. To enter the EAP website, go to resourcesforliving.com, click on “Company Log In/Register,” enter the Employee/Organization Username: MCCCD and the Access Code: EAP, and click on “Log Into Site”. Scroll down the page and click on “Explore your benefits,” then look for Mind Companion. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

May Featured Dimension: Occupational Wellness

Occupational Wellness is personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s vocation. 

Occupational wellness is defined as your sense of well-being with your work or vocation. To put it another way, your personal satisfaction in your job/career. We spend, on average, over 33% of our adult lives at work. And now with remote work, some would argue we spend more time at our jobs and careers. What we do at work and at our jobs has a significant impact on our mental health and well-being, so maintaining a healthy work-life balance, including managing workplace obligations and stress, as well as maintaining healthy relationships with co-workers, may be challenging. Still, it is necessary for a satisfying career. More satisfaction in one’s job or career is shown to boost mood and increase self-esteem. Read the Occupational Wellness article to see some ways to help you identify whether your work is good for your health.  

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

April Featured Dimension: Environmental Wellness

Good health by occupying pleasant surroundings and environments that support mental well-being.

Environmental wellness is living in a caring and healthy environment, as well as being aware of and respectful of the environment in which we live. The environment in which you live has a significant influence on how you feel. Having a nice atmosphere around you, as well as doing your part to protect the environment, can make you feel more fulfilled overall. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

March Featured Dimension: Financial Wellness

Satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

Financial Wellness is the ability to assess and meet your basic needs and manage money for the short- and long-term. Financial wellness is important all year long, but specifically now that it is tax season your financial wellness should be a priority. 

There are many ways you can seek assistance. Contact a financial planner, or access your employee assistance program (EAP). Your EAP provides you with free consultations and discounts with a tax planner. Call Resources For Living at 1-888-238-6232 or visit resourcesforliving.com, employer ID: MCCCD, access code: EAP. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

February Featured Dimension: Intellectual Wellness

Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills.

Intellectual Wellness involves the active pursuit of an optimal intellectual state. It includes new ideas, critical thinking, and expanding your knowledge and skills to discover more about yourself and your potential. Are you looking for ways to boost your brainpower, think faster, increase your cognitive capacity, and improve your overall health and happiness? If yes, then it’s time to focus on increasing your intellectual wellness.

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

December/January Featured Dimension: Social Wellness

Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system.

Social wellness is measured by the relationships and connections we have with others in the world around us. Without a strong capacity for social wellness, we can feel alone, floating on our own island, and less likely to reach out to others for help. Social wellness can significantly impact our overall health in several ways. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

November Featured Dimension: Physical Wellness

Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy food, and rest

To begin engaging in physical activity the best course of action is to start slowly. Listen to your body. Physical comfort is important for wellness. Talk to your doctor before taking part in physical activities. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

October Featured Dimension: Emotional Wellness

Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships

Emotional (emotional intelligence) and how it impacts the workplace!

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the ability to manage both your own emotions and understand the emotions of people around you. There are five key elements to EI: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. People with high EI can identify how they are feeling, what those feelings mean, and how those emotions impact their behavior and, in turn, other people. It’s a little harder to “manage” the emotions of other people - you can’t control how someone else feels or behaves. But if you can identify the emotions behind their behavior, you’ll have a better understanding of where they are coming from and how to best interact with them. Learn more about Emotional Intelligence and how it impacts the workplace. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website.

September Featured Dimension: Emotional Wellness

Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships

Emotional Wellness refers to the ability to express feelings, cope with emotional challenges, and adjust to stresses in life. Personal strengths play a large role in emotional wellness, as well as your awareness of improving yourself and helping others. Some questions you might ask are: 

• Do I acknowledge my feelings openly and without judgment? 

• Do I have relationships where I can safely express my feelings? 

• Do I routinely practice stress-relieving activities like yoga or stretching? 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website and in this article.

August Featured Dimension: Spiritual Wellness

Expands a sense of purpose and meaning in life

Spiritual wellness is defined as expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in our lives. This can include one's morals and ethics. Spiritual wellness may or may not involve religious activities. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

July Featured Dimension: Occupational Wellness

Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one's vocation

Occupational wellness pertains to personal satisfaction in your job/career. Did you know that we spend an average of 33% of our time at work? Some might argue we spend more time than that. So, it is not a surprise that what we do at work and at our jobs has a significant impact on our mental health and well-being. Challenging and satisfying careers and jobs have been shown to boost mood and increase self-esteem. Here are some ways to help you identify whether your work is good for your health. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website. 

June Featured Dimension: Financial Wellness

Involves satisfaction with current and future financial situations.

Financial wellness is one of eight dimensions that contribute to overall health and wellness and is an integral part of well-being balance. Specifically, financial wellness encompasses all aspects of wellbeing pertaining to finances including knowledge and skills of financial planning and managing expenses. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website 

May Featured Dimension: Social Wellness

Developing a sense of connection, belonging, and a well-developed support system. 

Social wellness speaks to how our relationships affect our overall health. In an environment of non-face-to-face digital social networking, people are becoming more isolated than ever, and the health risks of isolation have been proven to be comparable to those of smoking cigarettes, high blood pressure, and obesity. The reason why social wellness is so important is that people who have healthy relationships and a strong social network tend to live longer and respond better to stress. The reduction in stress and anxiety results in a healthier endocrine system, improved cardiovascular functioning, and an enhanced immune system. 

One of the biggest benefits of having good social wellness is the presence of a social support network. The network can consist of close friends and/or family members to turn to when you are in crisis or need someone to listen to you. Your support team can offer assistance, perspective, and insight into a situation that may have caused your judgment to become clouded. This support can come in three different forms:

• Emotional – when someone else's actions make you feel cared for.

• Instrumental – something physical such as lending money or cooking a meal.

• Informational – providing information to help someone else.

To assess and determine whether your social well-being is healthy, it is important to nurture your relationships. Your relationships should be mutually beneficial. Are you the one always in need or are you also providing support? Just as you might care for a child or a special pet, your most important relationships should be a priority and something you work on every day. Interestingly, being the support person is correlated with better mental health outcomes for the supporter as long as there is a healthy balance in the relationship. Here are some things to consider for a lasting relationship:

• Devote time each week to your relationships to set it as a priority

• Always be honest and supportive of another’s feelings, hopes and dreams

• Be supportive in your relationships by focusing on the positives in a situation

• Always demonstrate your appreciation in verbal and nonverbal ways

• Get the whole picture before jumping to conclusions in your relationships 

• Although relationships are a two-way street, work on giving, not taking

• Try not to be competitive or jealous of successes that aren't your own

Relationships that increase stress or deplete energy may not be healthy. This might happen when you are in a relationship with someone who is critical and negative or maybe showing unhealthy and self-destructive behavior. In this case, give yourself permission to end a relationship if it is hurting you. A healthy social support network should give you a feeling of comfort, not apprehension. 

There are many ways to expand your social network and there are many options for initiating healthy and lasting relationships.

• If you walk your dog, do it in a public place where there are other people

• Join a gym. Exercising with others provides a great icebreaker for conversation

• Volunteer! This is a great way to meet others who share your same passions

• Seek out an interest group (e.g., book club) that meets regularly

• Go back to school or take a class and meet new classmates and peers

• Attend a house of worship 

Take the time to develop your social support network. Make some new friends or strengthen the healthy relationships you currently have. The effort you put into fostering these relationships has many long-term benefits for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Explore information and wonderful opportunities to activate your social wellness. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website 

April Featured Dimension: Intellectual Wellness

Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills

Intellectual wellness is the endeavor to maintain good health and well-being through intellectual growth, creativity, and methods of expanding knowledge and skills. 

There are several aspects of intellectual wellness that can be beneficial to overall health:

• Openness to new experiences: As you open your mind to new ideas, you automatically expand your brain power and your abilities. 

• Expansion of abilities: Through creativity, critique, analysis, and development, we increase our knowledge and capacity to learn.

• Love of learning: Expose yourself to new ideas, new people, communities, and beliefs that are different from your own.

Below are some wonderful resources for you to explore your own intellectual wellness.

• Harvard University - Intellectual Wellbeing

• Newsweek - Intellectual Wellness & Expanding your Skills

• Stride Mental Health - Intellectual Wellness

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website 

March Featured Dimension: Environmental Wellness

Good health by occupying pleasant surroundings/environments that support mental well-being 

Environmental wellness is defined as the safety, comfort, and connection you have with your physical surroundings. How you think about your interaction with your community and setting can significantly impact your mental health and your overall well being. We often take our environment for granted, not really noticing how our environment is changing every day. 

As a participant in our own wellness, we can do much to make sure our environs and the atmosphere in which we live every day is positively impacting our social, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. Read more for more information on how to improve your environmental wellness and the benefits of connecting with your surroundings. 

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website 

February Featured Dimension: Physical Wellness

Recognizing the need for physical activity, healthy food, and rest

Physical wellness contributes to overall health and wellness by emphasizing physical aspects of the body including, nutrition, exercise, sleep, weight management, ergonomics, tobacco use, disease, disease prevention, and more. Focusing on these areas can provide opportunities to help you optimize your physical wellness status, which can positively impact your overall health and well-being.

How is your preventive healthcare? Are you getting your regular checkups, being an advocate of your health by knowing your blood pressure, getting proactive exams such as a skin cancer exam, etc. Don't be in the dark, knowledge is power and the key to being proactive and not reactive to your health.

Learn more about the 8 Dimensions of Wellness on the Wellness Maricopa Website