Dimensions of Wellness

We talk a great deal about wellness. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, wellness includes 9 main dimensions.  

  • Occupational – Being engaged in work that gives you personal satisfaction, and aligns with your values, goals, and lifestyle
  • Intellectual – Learning new things; Participating in activities that foster critical thinking and expand your worldviews
  • Spiritual – Having a sense of inner harmony and balance
  • Social – Surrounding yourself with a network of support built on mutual trust, respect, and compassion
  • Emotional – Being able to identify and manage your full range of emotions, and seeking help when necessary
  • Physical – Taking care of your body e.g., getting enough sleep, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, etc.
  • Financial – Being aware of your personal finances and adhering to a budget that enables you to meet your financial goals
  • Creative – Participating in diverse cultural and artistic experiences
  • Environmental – Taking an active role in preserving, protecting and improving the environment

Take a personal inventory of all theses areas. As you attend to your own wellness, be sure to include goals for each of these dimensions.


Michael Hawkins

Michael Hawkins, MA, LPC is a licensed professional counselor at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital (VMTH). With almost 25 years of experience as a counselor, he works with clinicians, students, staff, and clients—compassionately attending to the human needs that arise in the practice of veterinary medicine. Counselor’s Corner is a blog devoted to that purpose. BACK TO BLOG