Mandala Art Therapy for Addictions

MANDALA is a Sanskrit word for “Healing Circle”.  Here at Moffitt Wellness Retreat for Substance Abuse, we use Mandala Art Therapy to bring peacefulness, creativity, and joy.

Mandalas arise from the compelling human need to know our own inner reality, to align this knowing with our body’s wisdom, and to awaken in ourselves a sense of being in harmony with the Universe.

Mandala art therapy supports meditating, and is a pure representation of our deepest nature.

 

CONTACT MOFFITT WELLNESS RETREAT TODAY FOR A CONFIDENTIAL ASSESSMENT.

Addiction | Staying Sober During the Holidays | 5 Tips

Addiction | Staying Sober During the Holidays | 5 Tips

During the Holiday's it can be very difficult when you may have family and friends who love to celebrate with a celebratory substance (Alcohol, Weed, Opiates, Coke, Heroin, Ecstasy, etc). Holiday occasions can impose feelings of anxiety, depression, or even isolation because you have made profound life changes, where as everyone else still has the same lifestyle as before.  Please read our TOP 5 TIPS in how to Relax within your Sober Holiday.

1.  Do Not Get Hung Up on your State of Sobriety. 

Relax and have a good time.  Our thoughts control our response to the present moment, so do not create an uncomfortable situation when there isn't one.  The moment you decide that you cannot have a good time sober, is when you have created that internal delusional of reality.

2.  Be Selective of Whom you Accept Invitations From.  

You know from the past, and through your own intuition, which parties are appropriate and which ones are not.  Also, you can have fun by creating your own annual party where you can have control of what you accept and what you do not.

3.  Manage your Social Anxiety.

When Anxiety starts to kick in, take 3 deep breaths to relax.  Then, go ask a friend to take a walk to connect on a more personnel basis.  Create space between you and the heavy activity within the party.  Create your own personnel party within the party.

4.  Promote Healthy New Traditions with your Friends and Family.  

This is the time to express all the wonderful new lifestyle changes that you have inherited as your own.  Cook Healthy Pot Luck Dishes, and share information that can help them and their loved ones become healthier themselves.  They will love you for it!  Be an Example, and use your intellectual power to continue to create shifts within your circle.

5.  Give Thanks for Sober Days.  

Take this annual occasion to dedicate your sobriety to yourself and your loved ones.  Reflect, and Smile on the hurdles you have overcome.  Be an Example Towards Change and Growth.  Even though people within your circle may not have an active addiction, most of us reflect on what changes (small or big) need to be made within our lives, and when loved ones see your success, it can give them the confidence to do the same.

CoDependent to an Addict | Wellness Retreat

Codependency Wellness Retreat

Until the Addict is ready to make changes, you will always find yourself fighting against an uphill battle.  Take the first step towards fighting against your Codependency by attending a 1 or 2 week program at Moffitt Wellness Retreat.  This program will guide you into Strength you never knew you had, and to teach you how to support and help your loved one in a more practical way.  

CoDependency can be hard to identify if you have never been explained it's definition.  Many of us are supporting an addict through our codependent ways, but confuse it as love, care, or even jelousy. You may have already come to terms that your loved one is an addict, or you could be confused on the reality of their situation.  

Is your relationship characterized by constant fights, recriminations, blame, verbal abuse and occasional violence?  Are your attempts at control failing and you hate yourself for it?  Are you angry, because you have tried everything and nothing works?   Welcome to the world of the codependent.

Signs of Codependency:

• You constantly ask yourself what you did to contribute to this situation
• You cover up your real feelings by pretending you don't care, or don't notice someone else's drug habit
• You spend a large portion of your time thinking about this person and their habit and what you can do about it
• You have become very suspicious where this person is concerned - you watch what they do, where they go and check to see that nothing is missing after they have been
• You constantly feel anxious, waiting for the next outburst or drama.
• You find yourself bargaining with this person or threatening them
• Your entire emotional energy is focused on this person, their habit and its consequences rather than on yourself and your life
• You are constantly trying to make things better, but nothing works
• You are being lied to and deceived on a constant basis, but you find yourself wanting to believe what is being said to you.

Call or fill out the form below for details.

Addiction Family Support | 10 Ways Family Can Help

As a family member it can be hard to understand the nature of substance abuse with a loved one.  Especially when we continuously want to believe that by some chance they may be able to handle or control what is going on in their life.  Coming to terms with the reality of the addiction, as a family member can be very difficult.  Many many people do not know what to do.

10 Ways a Family Member can Help a Loved One:

1.  Become knowledgeable and learn the facts about drug and alcohol addiction.  Al-anon & Nar-anon Meetings can be found in your local hometown to help.

2.  Do not try to help or rescue the addict.  If Karma has caught up to them, let them experience it.  The cause of their addiction has brought them here and they need to experience consequences.

3.  Do not financially support the addict by helping them with groceries, bills, court fines, etc.

4.  Don't try to understand or create delusional reasons why the loved one is an addict.

5.  Actions speak louder than words.  Commit to what you say.  Don't get angry over a situation, make threats or initiate consequences, and then backtrack. 

6.  Do not get caught up in their promises.  Becoming clean is a very difficult process for the addict.  They may relapse 2, 5, 10 times before they are able to create and maintain long lasting changes.  The point is they are trying.

7.  Support the addict's new positive ideas and aspirations even if they sound absurd and unrealistic.  This new positive direction, whatever it may be, is a sign that they are finding something to be passionate about.  If they begin to create action towards their aspiration, they have now been able to find something positive to cling to, and have a better chance in staying away from substance abuse.

8.  Don't Preach or Lecture.  This can push the addict in the opposite direction.  Talking doesn't make changes, actions do.

9.  Don't Blame Yourself.  They are an adult and if they use the scapegoat that you are the reason, they are ultimately using you along with many other dimensions of their life as the associated illusion to their addiction.

10.  Don't live in the Past.  The key is to deal with the issue as it exists now, and to focus on the addiction of substance abuse.  Do not go into the past and focus on old negative issues.  The past is gone, and the present is now.  Work on the NOW.

Opiate Addiction

What is Opiate Addiction?

Prolonged use of opiates can lead to nerve damage within the brain that causes cells to stop producing endogenous opiates (natural painkillers known as endorphins).  This can lead to an inability for the body to stop pain because there are no endorphins to mask the pain initially.  The degeneration of the nerve cells that reduce pain can lead to a physical dependence on opiates as an external supply source.  This leads to what is known as opiate addiction.

Opiate Withdrawal

Long term opiate abuse that leads to physical dependence is further barred by what is known as opiate withdrawal.  The physical illness that results when an individual stops using opiates can be difficult and potentially deadly to cope with for the patient, especially when not treated by a proper medical staff.  Opiate withdrawal syndrome includes many symptoms that can range widely from person to person.

Some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate detox will set in mere hours after the last dose while others may take a few days to fully set in.  These symptoms are likely with abrupt quitting of opiate use but they can also be a problem for those who taper the drugs off too quickly.

Because opiates are often used for medical reasons, many people do find themselves dependent on these drugs despite their desire to stay clean.  Taken safely, even for a short period of time, opiates even as prescribed can lead to physical dependence that requires detox in order to safely get the individual off the drug.  Although opiates are prized for their grand ability to relieve pain, tolerance tends to build rather quickly and this can lead to a range of withdrawal symptoms when the drugs are no longer used.

Common Opiate withdrawal symptoms include:

• Cravings to use the drugs
• Nausea
• Cramping in the stomach
• Sweating
• Chills or goose bumps
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Irritation or agitation
• Anxiety
• Muscle aches
• Shakes or trembling
• Insomnia
• Dilated pupils
• Bone pain

Most of the time, opiate withdrawal symptoms are non-life threatening but in rare cases, based on the severity of the opiate addiction and the length of time that the individual has been addicted, there is a risk of some dangerous opiate withdrawal symptoms occurring.

Reducing Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms

Many treatment centers provide replacement therapy for those suffering from opiate withdrawal.  The methods of replacement therapy will differ slightly from one medication to the next but the general ideal is simple:  Provide the patient with a medication that will cause their body to think that it is receiving opiates which will lead to fewer withdrawal symptoms and can help the detox process to run more smoothly.

Medications used in Replacement Therapy:

• Methadone – widely used for the replacement of heroin or other opiates to help alleviate the withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate detox.  Methadone is also a highly addictive drug and the use of such as a medication replacement should be monitored by a doctor
• Suboxone – a relatively new method of medical replacement therapy that is highly effective at helping patients overcome opiate addiction. Suboxone will actually make the addict feel sick if they do use opiates while they are being treated with this medication.
• Naltroxone – a common medication that is usually prescribed with another medication to slow the symptoms of opiate withdrawal.  Naltroxone is actually part of the active ingredients in Suboxone.

Opiate Detox

The process by which the body has to physically overcome all signs of addiction and physical dependence on opiates in preparation for long term counseling and therapy is known as opiate detox.  Detox is the first step of any treatment program and typically consists of medical intervention, rest and relaxation paired with time to help the patient heal.  People can sometimes detox from opiates at home with little or no problem but in some severe cases there will be medical intervention necessary in order to keep the individual safe.

During opiate detox, the patient will feel many withdrawal symptoms.  Some can be treated with rest while others may require medical intervention for the safety and comfort of the patient.  The most difficult to deal with symptoms of withdrawal that are associated with opiate detox include:

• Tremors
• Hallucinations or confusion
• Delirium
• Sweating profusely
• Muscle and bone pain
• Insomnia
• Anxiety

Many of the above symptoms are easily treated with mild medications that can make it easier for the patient to make their way through treatment.  Opiate detox is just the first step of treatment and must be followed by long term counseling and therapy to realign the thinking patterns within the brain to stay away from opiates such as heroin, Oxycontin, Roxicontin and other opiates in the future.

Differences between Opiate Dependence and Opiate Addiction

Opiates are powerful painkillers that can lead to euphoric states followed by deep sedation.  The terms opiate addiction and opiate dependence are often used interchangeably but there are some differences between the two.  Here’s how you can tell the different between opiate dependence and opiate addiction:

• Opiate dependence – a state of adaptation to a drug that is manifested by specific withdrawal symptoms that result when the drug is not used. Rapid reduction, complete elimination or even reduced use of opiates when dependence is a factor will lead to withdrawal.
• Opiate Addiction – addiction is a chronic, neurological disease that results from the use of opiates and leads to psychological, environmental, and physical factors that are characterized by an impaired control over the drug, impaired behavior revolving around the use of the drug or a craving for the drug despite known consequences of drug use.

Initially, opiate dependence is what comes first and as this dependence grows and a physical need for the drug is developed, withdrawal symptoms persist causing the patient to use more and more of the drug.  Over time, opiate addiction is the resulting factor.

Opiate Addiction Symptoms

Many of the signs and symptoms of opiate addiction can be difficult to spot because you can’t see some of the obvious signs right away.  Often time, the user will mask the signs of their addiction in a way that will prevent others from gaining insight too.

The common signs of opiate addiction that you should pay attention to include:

• Track marks or needle marks – these come from shooting heroin or other opiates intravenously
• Lethargic or heavy limbs –heroin and other opiates can make the limbs seem heavy and long
• Wearing long sleeves – many users will wear pants or long sleeves to cover up their needle marks
• Hanging out with different groups – many opiate users will choose other groups to hang around that also do drugs rather than spend time with their previous friends who did not use opiates
• Borrowing money without explanation – many users will borrow excessive amounts of money without any explanation why
• Lack of appearances – many opiate users will lack on their appearance and not take care of themselves
• Excessive sleeping – opiates will often cause drowsiness that can lead to excessive sleeping
• Weight gain – because opiates lead to fatigue many people who become addicted will gain weight
• Weight loss – because of the excessive sleep and lack of self-help, many opiate addiction will lose weight

Treatment for Opiate Addiction

Many methods of treatment exist to help those suffering from opiate addiction.  The most common methods of treatment include detox, medication replacement therapy, counseling and therapy, as well as support groups.  Opiate addiction often requires residential care or inpatient therapy but in less severe cases, outpatient therapy and support groups can provide a beneficial means of treatment for the addiction.

Each of the types of treatment for opiate addiction are outlined in greater detail below:

• Residential Treatment – this type of opiate addiction treatment takes place in a hospital like setting where the patient will live for a period of about 30 days or more depending on the severity of their addiction and various other factors.  Residential treatment is most suitable for those who have severe opiate addictions and who cannot complete treatment on their own without constant medical and counseling supervision.
• Inpatient Treatment – just like residential treatment, inpatient treatment facilities have a hospital or home like setting that is heavily monitored to ensure the successful recovery of the patient in a safe environment.  Inpatient treatment for opiate addiction is ideal for the recovering addict who requires medical intervention and care to ensure their safety and to keep them from relapsing.
• Outpatient Treatment – this type of treatment for opiate addiction involves counseling and therapy that is provided on daily, weekly or monthly basis and can help the recovering addict to stay on track with their recovery goals while they continue to work on their treatment and recovery outside of the facility as well.
• Support Groups – many support groups can be found within the various levels of treatment for opiate addiction as well as within the community.  Some of the more common support groups that have been found to help those who suffer from opiate addiction include Narcotics Anonymous and Opiates Anonymous.  While you may find it difficult to find an Opiates Anonymous group in your area, there are typically hundreds of Narcotics Anonymous groups in each state offering support to those who are ready to quit.

Help for a Loved One Addicted to Opiates

What can you do to help if you know that someone you love is addicted to heroin, Oxycodone, or another opiate?  There are some steps that you can take to limit their drug use, place their addiction on hold or forcefully get them to accept treatment for their addiction.  You can’t truly force anyone into treatment but there are ways of helping them to make that decision.

Here are some tips for getting someone you love into opiate addiction treatment:

• Provide support and loving care.  Support does not mean that you pay their bills or let them borrow money everyday.  Support means that you help them to understand that they have a problem, that you love them and that you want for them to get help.  Support means that you will help them pay for treatment if necessary and that you will be with them every step of the way.
• Provide meaningful answers.  You won’t have all of the answers but when you decide to address an addiction with a loved one, do your best to have the answers that you need.  If you have additional questions, you may want to have an interventionist help you with the discussion and the manner in which you should start the discussion.
• Intervention is sometimes necessary.  In some cases, you will have to seek the help of an interventionist in order to get the best help for your loved one without risking any further chances with their addiction.  Interventionists can help you to come up with an alternative plan for your loved one, can help to enforce the plan and can provide the answers to many of the questions that everyone will have about treatment, recovery and what happens next!

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. MW has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. 

Reference:  www.addictions.com

How Long Does Rehab Take?

How Long Does Rehab Take?

There isn't a set period of time that applies to everyone when it comes to rehabilitation. Some addicts may need a 90-day stay at an inpatient treatment facility to truly find their path in recovery, whereas others may only need a 30-day program. It simply varies according to the addiction in question, the individual's history with addiction, dual diagnosis conditions, and the individual's specific physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs.

Studies find that those who spend longer amounts of time in rehabilitation programs achieve better results of long-term sobriety. This is because more time spent at a treatment facility means more opportunity to focus on the root causes behind the addiction. If these issues are effectively addressed, the individual is more likely to be able to resist temptations to relapse.  Drug and alcohol addiction treatment doesn't end after the patient exits the rehabilitation program, regardless of the length of stay. Recovery is an ongoing process that will continue for the rest of the patient's life. Long-term recovery often involves ongoing therapy, both in individual and group form, and attendance at 12-step meetings (AA, NA). Some patients find other activities that support their ongoing recovery, such as meditation, yoga, exercise or hiking.  It's important to note that many addicts don't achieve perfect, lifelong recovery with one rehab stay. Relapse should not be viewed as a failure; instead, it should be seen as an obstacle to overcome on one's lifelong journey to sobriety. Relapse is an opportunity to reevaluate one's path and get back into a program that offers the support and help needed to maintain sobriety. Many addicts complete more than one stay in rehab before they are able to find their footing in their recovery journey.  It's all part of the process.

Alcohol Dependence | Effects

Alcohol Dependency

The Effects of Alcohol Addiction

These result from continued use of excessive amounts of alcohol. Binge drinking and chronic drinking of alcohol are more likely to cause harm.

Medical problems

• Liver: alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer.
• Gastrointestinal tract: oral cavity cancer, esophageal neoplasm, esophageal varices, pancreatitis.
• Cardiovascular system: atrial fibrillation, hypertension, strokes and cardiomyopathy with heart failure.
• Neurological system: acute intoxication with loss of consciousness, withdrawal, seizures, subdural hemorrhage, peripheral neuropathy, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and cerebellar degeneration.

Psychiatric problems

• Alcohol dependence syndrome
• Suicidal ideation
• Depression
• Anxiety

Miscellaneous

• Loss of libido
• Fetal alcohol syndrome

Social problems related to alcohol

• Impaired performance at work.
• Relationship problems.
• Violent crimes - e.g., domestic violence and drunk driving offenses.
• Antisocial behavior.

Affects of alcohol on the liver

Alcoholic liver disease includes fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. These three conditions probably represent a spectrum of liver damage resulting from continued abuse of alcohol.

• In fatty liver, there is an accumulation of fat within the hepatocytes. This is reversible with abstention from alcohol.
• Alcoholic hepatitis presents as acute right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain with jaundice, fever and marked derangement of LFTs. At a microscopic level there is inflammation of the liver.
• In liver cirrhosis, the hepatocytes are damaged so much that they are replaced by scar tissue which is permanent. Alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis may co-exist. Alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis may lead to encephalopathy, portal vein hypertension and hepato-renal syndrome. This group of patients is also at increased risk of infections and they are usually also malnourished.
• Treatment involves abstinence from alcohol, and good nutrition. There is no specific therapy for alcohol-related hepatitis and cirrhosis. It is important to look for, and promptly treat, the complications which include ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatic encephalopathy and esophageal varices.
• Patients with ascites may need to be maintained on high doses of diuretics. Again, abstinence from alcohol is crucial.

Affects of alcohol on the gastrointestinal tract

Alcohol increases the risk of oral cancers. This is especially associated with spirits and the risk is increased with concomitant use of tobacco. Adenocarcinoma of the stomach and oesophagus is thought to be related to alcohol use. Some of these cases may be genetically determined.

Portal hypertension is a complication of cirrhosis and leads to a raised venous pressure in veins in the oesophagus and stomach. These swollen veins are superficial and bleed easily. Bleeding from esophageal varices is serious and is associated with a high level of morbidity and mortality.

Management of bleeding varices is a medical emergency and requires adequate resuscitation (patients may need to be intubated to protect their airway). Blood transfusions are necessary and correction of abnormal clotting with vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) may also be required. Various options for treatment are available including vasoactive drugs, obturation with glue and balloon tube tamponade.

Both acute and chronic pancreatitis are associated with excessive alcohol consumption. One study found that consumption of spirits was more likely than wine or beer to cause acute pancreatitis.The pathophysiology of alcohol-related pancreatitis is not clearly understood. Patients usually present with epigastric pain with vomiting. The amylase is high in acute pancreatitis but may be normal in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can be associated with a number of complications such as shock, sepsis and abscess formation. Long-term complications include diabetes mellitus and weight loss from steatorrhoea.

Affects of alcohol on the cardiovascular system

• Excessive alcohol use is associated with hypertension and subsequent target organ damage such as strokes, myocardial events and renal failure.
• It is also associated with a dilated cardiomyopathy with heart failure and atrial fibrillation which may revert to sinus rhythm.

Again, abstinence from alcohol is paramount.

Affects of alcohol on the nervous system

• Acute alcohol intoxication can present with blackouts, head injuries and subdural hemorrhages. Alcohol withdrawal is associated with fits which may be unresponsive to anti-epileptics.
• The Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome results from lack of thiamine (commonly seen in alcoholics due to malnutrition). Wernicke's syndrome occurs acutely and patients present with confusion, visual impairment (diplopia) and ataxia. Korsakoff's syndrome occurs more chronically and is characterized by memory deficits and confabulation .

See separate article Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome for more details.

Alcohol withdrawal

Alcohol withdrawal occurs within a few hours of not having a drink and can last beyond 48 hours. Patients experience hallucinations, anxiety and a coarse peripheral tremor. On examination, patients may become hypertensive, feverish, or may also develop seizures and auditory and visual hallucinations. 

Delirium tremens is the severe end of the spectrum of alcohol withdrawal and consists of a severe form of the above symptoms; it may be associated with circulatory collapse and ketoacidosis.

Alcohol dependence

This is characterized by the following:

• A strong desire to drink.
• Difficulty controlling alcohol intake.
• Physiological withdrawal when intake is reduced.
• Tolerance, such that increasing amounts are required to produce the same effect.
• Harm resulting from continued alcohol use - eg, work or relationship problems.

Treatment of alcohol dependence includes education, support, counseling and controlled alcohol withdrawal. Patients may need to be admitted to a hospital for medical detoxification.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. MW has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. 

Reference:  www.Patient.co.uk

Seven Personal Dimensions of Wellness

'A journey of introspection and realized potential for Health, Balance and Wellness awaits you.'

Moffitt Wellness Center

Wellness is much more than merely physical health, exercise or nutrition. It is the full integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

The model used by Moffitt Wellness Center includes social, emotional, spiritual, environmental, occupational, intellectual and physical wellness. Each of these seven personal dimensions act and interact in a way that contributes to our entire quality of life.

1 | Social Wellness...

Refers to one's ability to interact with people around them. It involves using good communications skills, having meaningful relationships, respecting yourself and others, and creating a support system that includes family members and friends.   

Social wellness follows these tenets:

• It is better to contribute to the common welfare of our community than to think only of ourselves.    

• It is better to live in harmony with others and our environment than to live in conflict with them.

The Path to Social Wellness              

If you are a person engaged in the process of social wellness, you see the value in living in harmony with your fellow human beings, seeking positive, interdependent relationships with others, and developing healthy behaviors. You are also willing to actively seek out ways to preserve the beauty and balance of nature and the community.    

Are you engaged in the process of social wellness?

• Do I plan time to be with my family and friends?

• Do I enjoy the time I spend with others?

• Are my relationships with others positive and rewarding?

• Do I explore diversity by interacting with people of other cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your social wellness.         

2 | Emotional Wellness..                       

The ability to understand ourselves and cope with the challenges life can bring. The ability to acknowledge and share feelings of anger, fear, sadness or stress; hope, love, joy and happiness in a productive manner contributes to our Emotional Wellness. Being emotionally well is more than just handling stress. It also involves being attentive to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, whether positive or negative.      

Emotional Wellness implies the ability to:

• Be aware of and accept our feelings, rather than deny them

• Have an optimistic approach to life

• Express feelings freely and manage feelings effectively            

• Express emotions appropriately        

• Adjust to change        

• Cope with stress in a healthy way        

• Enjoy life despite its occasional disappointments and frustrations

If you are a person engaged in the process of emotional wellness, you are willing and able to:

• Arrive at personal choices and decisions based upon the synthesis of feelings, thoughts, philosophies, and behavior.        

• Live and work independently while realizing the importance of seeking and appreciating the support and assistance of others.        

• Form interdependent relationships with others based upon a foundation of mutual commitment, trust and respect.        

• Take on challenges, take risks, and recognize conflict as being potentially healthy.        

• Manage your life in personally rewarding ways, and taking responsibility for your actions.

The Path to Emotional Wellness

The path to emotional wellness may involve:

• Awareness of thoughts and feelings                    

• Using a positive attitude                

• Seeking support and expressing emotions in a suitable manner        

• Learning time management skills                

• Setting priorities                

• Accepting mistakes and learning from them                

• Maintaining life balance

The path may also involve seeking out support from a mental health professional when needed and gathering information in order to make informed value decisions.

Are you engaged in the process of emotional wellness?

Evaluate your own emotional wellness with this brief quiz.

• Am I able to maintain a balance of work, family, friends, and other obligations?                

• Do I have ways to reduce stress in my life?                

• Am I able to make decisions with a minimum of stress and worry?                

• Am I able to set priorities?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your emotional wellness.

3 | Spiritual Wellness...

The ability to establish peace and harmony in our lives. The ability to develop congruency between values and actions and to realize a common purpose that binds creation together contributes to our Spiritual Wellness.          

Spiritual Wellness is a personal matter involving values and beliefs that provide a purpose in our lives. While different individuals may have different views of what spirituality is, it is generally considered to be the search for meaning and purpose in human existence, leading one to strive for a state of harmony with oneself and others while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world.                            

Spiritual wellness follows the following tenets:

• It is better to ponder the meaning of life for ourselves and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others than to close our minds and become intolerant.                

• It is better to live each day in a way that is consistent with our values and beliefs than to do otherwise and feel untrue to ourselves.

The Path to Spiritual Wellness              

• It is important for everyone to explore what they believe is their own sense of meaning and purpose.

• The path to spiritual wellness may involve meditation, prayer, affirmations, or specific spiritual practices that support your connection to a higher power or belief system. Yoga and meditation can also help you develop spiritual wellness.                

• Having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, altruism, joy, and fulfillment help you enjoy your spiritual health. Your religious faith, values, beliefs, principles, and morals define your spirituality.    

• If you are a person engaged in the process of spiritual wellness, you are willing and able to transcend yourself in order to question the meaning and purpose in your life and the lives of others. In addition, you seek to find harmony between that which lies within and the social and physical forces that come from outside.

Are you engaged in the process of spiritual wellness?

• Evaluate your own spiritual wellness with this brief quiz.                

• Do I make time for relaxation in my day?                

• Do I make time for meditation and/or prayer.                

• Do my values guide my decisions and actions?                    

• Am I accepting of the views of others?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your spiritual wellness.

4 | Environmental Wellness...

The ability to recognize our own responsibility for the quality of the air, the water and the land that surrounds us. To make a positive impact on the quality of our environment, be it our homes, our communities or our planet contributes to our Environmental Wellness.     

We may not think much about Environmental Wellness as part of an overall wellness plan, but our environment and how we feel about it can have a huge impact on the way we feel overall

Environmental well-being includes trying to live in harmony with the Earth by understanding the impact of your interaction with nature and your personal environment, and taking action to protect the world around you. Protecting yourself from environmental hazards and minimizing the negative impact of your behavior on the environment are also central elements. Leading a lifestyle that is respectful to our environment and minimizes any harm done to it is a critical part of environmental wellness. Examples of environmental threats include air pollution, ultraviolet radiation in the sunlight, chemicals, noise, water pollution, and second-hand smoke.

The Path to Environmental Wellness            

Environmental wellness involves a number of different aspects of personal and societal responsibilities, including:      

• Being aware of the earth's natural resources and their respective limits            

• Living a life accountable to environmental needs, both in the present and in the long-term        

• Realizing the effects of their daily habits on the world around them

An environmentally well person will also recognize the need to keep a healthy personal environment. A healthy personal environment includes:

• Keeping the company of healthy people        

• An enjoyment of available recreational opportunities            

• Engaging in environmentally responsible activities            

• Maximizing personal harmony with the earth, while minimizing harm to it

Are you engaged in the process of environmental wellness?

• Do I volunteer time to worthy causes?        

• Am I aware of my surroundings at all times?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your environmental wellness.

5 | Occupational Wellness...            

The ability to get personal fulfillment from our jobs or our chosen career fields while still maintaining balance in our lives. Our desire to contribute in our careers to make a positive impact on the organizations we work in and to society as a whole leads to Occupational Wellness.

The ability to achieve a balance between work and leisure time, addressing workplace stress and building relationships with co-workers. It focuses on our search for a calling and involves exploring various career options and finding where you fit. Because what we do for a living encompasses so much of our time, it's important for our overall well-being to do what we love and love what we do. When people are doing what they were meant to do, they deepen their sense of meaning and purpose.                       

The Path to Occupational Wellness

The occupational dimension of wellness recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one's life through work. At the center of occupational wellness is the premise that occupational development is related to one's attitude about one's work. Traveling a path toward your occupational wellness, you'll contribute your unique gifts, skills and talents to work that are both personally meaningful and rewarding. You'll convey your values through your involvement in activities that are gratifying for you. The choice of profession, job satisfaction, career ambitions, and personal performance are all important components of your path's terrain.  

Are you engaged in the process of Occupational Wellness?

• Do I enjoy going to work most days?

• Do I have a manageable workload at work?        

• Do I feel that I can talk to my boss and co-workers with problems arise?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your occupational wellness.

6 | Intellectual Wellness...

The ability to open our minds to new ideas and experiences that can be applied to personal decisions, group interaction and community betterment. The desire to learn new concepts, improve skills and seek challenges in pursuit of lifelong learning contributes to our Intellectual Wellness.        

Intellectual wellness is engaging the individual in creative and stimulating mental activities to expand their knowledge and skills and help them discover the potential for sharing their gifts with others.     

An intellectually well person:    

• Cherishes mental growth and stimulation    

• Is involved in intellectual and cultural activities        

• Is engaged in the exploration of new ideas and understandings

Reaching Intellectual Wellness                               

Traveling a wellness path allows you to explore issues related to problem solving, creativity, and learning as well as spending more time pursuing personal interests, including reading books, magazines, and newspapers, while keeping abreast of current issues and ideas. As you develop your intellectual curiosity, you'll actively strive to expand and challenge your mind with creative endeavors.                            

Intellectually well people are also curious and interested in the communities as well as the world around them.

Are you engaged in the process of intellectual wellness?        

⁃  Am I open to new ideas?        

⁃  Do I seek personal growth by learning new skills?            

⁃  Do I search for lifelong learning opportunities and stimulating mental activities?            

⁃  Do I look for ways to use creativity?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your intellectual wellness.

7 | Physical Wellness...             

The ability to maintain a healthy quality of life that allows us to get through our daily activities without undue fatigue or physical stress. The ability to recognize that our behaviors have a significant impact on our wellness and adopting healthful habits (routine check ups, a balanced diet, exercise, etc.) while avoiding destructive habits (tobacco, drugs, alcohol, etc.) will lead to optimal Physical Wellness.        

Physical wellness involves aspects of life that are necessary to keep yourself in top condition. Optimal physical wellness is developed through the combination of beneficial physical activity/exercise and healthy eating habits. Elemental components of physical wellness include building muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular strength and endurance and flexibility.                   

Physical wellness is also concerned with developing personal responsibility for your own health care, such as caring for minor illnesses and knowing when professional medical attention is needed. Developing physical wellness empowers you to be able to monitor your own vital signs and understand your body's warning signs. You'll understand and appreciate the relationship between sound nutrition and how your body performs. The physical benefits of looking good and feeling terrific most often lead to the psychological benefits of enhanced self-esteem, self-control, determination and a sense of direction.

Are you engaged in the process of physical wellness?         

⁃  Do I know important health numbers, like my cholesterol, weight, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels?    

⁃  Do I get annual physical exams?        

⁃  Do I avoid using tobacco products?        

⁃  Do I get sufficient amount of sleep?            

⁃  Do I have an established exercise routine?

If you answered "No" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your physical wellness.