One of my favorite creative pursuits involves sketching. Every time you change your perspective, solve a problem in a new way or break with routine, you are being creative. I know creativity can be a loaded word so, to take away some of the charge around it, let’s just call it a way of expressing yourself and being open to a different way of thinking. Many of you might say you’re not creative but, in some form or fashion, you are. A great way I’ve found to support the process is by expressing myself creatively. When you find balance among these dimensions, you’re likely to experience more days filled with good health and energy. I’m not suggesting that you’ll find balance overnight, but you will be able to move toward it if you’re intentional about it. Social wellness can be found and nurtured by connecting with friends, family members, co-workers, support group members and more.Įmotional wellness involves being aware of your emotions, understanding your emotions, accepting your emotions and being able to manage them through all types of transitions. Others find it through meditation, connections with people, spending time in nature or just feeling a deep connection to something bigger than themselves. Some people find meaning and purpose through organized religion. Spiritual wellness is all about feeling a healthy sense of value and purpose in your life. The Davis Phinney Foundation has written about it many times. Physical wellness, as you have no doubt heard from your doctors, care partners and anyone you know who knows anything about Parkinson’s, is critical. I call the physical, spiritual, social and emotional dimensions of wellness the Fab Four because I see them as the most essential building blocks of personal well-being. Search beyond the definition and you’ll find six dimensions that contribute to the wellness umbrella – physical, spiritual, social, emotional, intellectual and occupational wellness.
Wellness is self-directed, meaning we have choices.Wellness is not simply the absence of illness and infirmity.Wellness is multidimensional, dynamic and interactive.Wellness definitions vary but most include these fundamental elements: With that in mind, what does wellness even mean and how on earth can sketchbooks help you find yours? Written by Lorraine Wilson, Davis Phinney Foundation AmbassadorĪnyone who has visited the Davis Phinney Foundation website, attended The Victory Summit ® event or spoken to just one Foundation Ambassador, learns quickly that the Foundation’s mission is to help people with Parkinson’s live well today.