Physical Education · Ch 5 — Physical Fitness, Wellness and Lifestyle
Components of Wellness
Components of Wellness
Physical fitness alone is not enough for good health. A person might train hard three times a week yet still eat junk food, smoke and drink alcohol - and so raise their risk of cardiovascular and other diseases. True well-being needs more, and the textbook describes seven components of wellness - physical, emotional, mental, social, environmental, occupational and spiritual - which are all interlinked with one another.
1. Physical wellness
The ability to meet the demands of day-to-day work and to care for one's own health, through a balance of physical activity, nutrition and rest, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, and following safety precautions. A physically well person has optimum muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and a sound body composition.
2. Emotional wellness
The ability to understand and balance one's emotions, accept one's weaknesses and respect others' strengths. It involves being attentive to positive and negative feelings and knowing how to handle them. Trust, self-esteem, self-confidence and optimism are its key words.
3. Mental (intellectual) wellness
The ability to learn, evaluate and accept new ideas, think creatively and keep a lifelong learning process going. It is developed through academics, cultural and community involvement and personal hobbies, and it keeps a person curious and open-minded.
4. Social wellness
The ability to interact positively with people of different cultures, ages, genders and religions without stereotyping, building healthy, nurturing and supportive relationships. Good social wellness helps a person communicate, build trust, manage conflict and stay emotionally resilient.
5. Environmental wellness
Respecting the environment and natural resources and living in a way that protects them - producing and eating organic food, minimising pollution and waste, and conserving resources for future generations.
6. Occupational wellness
Achieving a balance between work and leisure, handling workplace stress and building good relationships with co-workers. It is about satisfaction from one's job and career, not simply a high post or a large salary.