RUC Cares

RUC Cares: Redefining Self-Care into Holistic Wellness

Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness involves eight domains that meet all the needs people have. When the needs in eachof these domains are met, then people can live balanced, fulfilling, and enriching lives. Follow VPVA to learn more about the domains of wellness and how the RUC community can continue to build a culture invested in supporting all members of our community.

Emotional/Mental Wellness

Emotional Wellness is the ability to identify and express feelings, adapt to emotional challenges, cope with emotional and life stressors, and enjoy life. Emotional wellness encourages us to continually develop emotional intelligence, understand how we respond to stressors and opportunities, how we engage in relationships with other people, and what resources are available when emotional challenges arise. Some things we can do to support emotional wellness include:

• Emotional self-check-ins
• Continually strengthening the ability to identify and express emotions
• A range of strategies to manage stress and emotional challenges
• Developing and implementing emotional boundaries
• Developing and sustaining a support network
• Having ways to process and express emotions, such as journaling, music, or other hobbies
• Taking personal responsibility for actions, thought processes, and developing positive change in your life

Environmental Wellness

Environmental Wellness is the ability to be safe and feel safe in the spaces you live and occupy. This involves things such as:

• Access to clean air, food, and water
• Access to places to live, learn, and work
• Access to stimulating and supportive environments
• Spaces that promote learning, relaxation, and connection

Environmental wellness can provide a foundation on which the other domains of wellness can be strengthened. By investing in our environments, we are able to build spaces that naturally promote wellness in meaningful ways. Some ways we can practice and promote Environmental Wellness include:

• Limiting resource use
• Shopping and eating locally
• Using public transportation when possible, and advocating for increased access to public transportation in all communities
• Making a practice of spending a part of each day outside
• Engaging in physical activities on a regular basis
• Organizing your living and working environments

Financial Wellness

Financial wellness includes all the factors that make up financial stability and security, such as income, debt, savings, financial literacy, and knowledge of resources.

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual Wellness keeps our minds engaged and active. Intellectual wellness promotes ongoing learning, developing critical thinking skills, and mental flexibility among many other benefits. Learning can be formal or informal, guided or self-taught, and independent or within a group. Some ways we can promote Intellectual Wellness include:

• Participating in learning opportunities
• Reading, listening to podcasts, or consuming other forms of information
• Attending classes on topics of interest
• Participating in groups that promote learning, discussion, or other activities that promote intellectual wellness

Occupational Wellness

Occupational Wellness are the things people do that give meaning, allows them to reflect on and personal values and beliefs, as well as interests and employment. People can participate in Occupational Wellness in a variety of ways, including:

• Volunteering or other forms of community-involved work
• Seeking out and participating in professional development opportunities
• Taking time to reflect on values, goals, and work
• Participating in activities that provide personal satisfaction and stimulation

Occupational Wellness

Occupational Wellness are the things people do that give meaning, allows them to reflect on and personal values and beliefs, as well as interests and employment. People can participate in Occupational Wellness in a variety of ways, including:

• Volunteering or other forms of community-involved work
• Seeking out and participating in professional development opportunities
• Taking time to reflect on values, goals, and work
• Participating in activities that provide personal satisfaction and stimulation

Social Wellness

Social Wellness are the healthy relationships with friends, family, and the community. Social Wellness promotes overall community well-being by ensuring social attachments to community members are strong, healthy, and invested in the well-being of community members. We can practice Social Wellness in a variety of ways, including:

• Participating or volunteering in in groups and organizations in your community
• Regular contact with friends, family, and other community members
• Participating in community events
• Spending time at places in your community

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual Wellness includes a person’s personal beliefs and values, how they make meaning of life, and how they find purpose, balance and peace. Spiritual Wellness is all the ways that people make meaning of life and develop an appreciate for the life and the natural forces in the universe. Spiritual Wellness can be practiced in many ways, including:

• Taking regular time to reflect on your personal values, beliefs, and principles
• Learning about different religions and spiritual practices
• Using your spirituality to guide your life and decisions
• Participating in a group with shared spiritual beliefs