The Eight Dimensions of Wellness
In this section is a vast array of WELL Office-approved resources that pertain to the Eight Dimensions of Wellness. Under each dimension, you'll find videos, blogs, podcasts, articles, and more to help guide and support you throughout your studies as well as in your everyday lives. If you have any questions or have great resources to share, please feel free to contact us at thewelloffice [at] mcgill.ca.
Use our worksheet below to reflect on how you currently meet the needs of the wellness dimensions.
WELL Office Wellness Dimensions Reflection Worksheet
- Emotional Wellness
- Social Wellness
- Intellectual Wellness
- Environmental Wellness
- Financial Wellness
- Physical Wellness
- Occupational Wellness
- Spiritual Wellness
Emotional Wellness
The emotional wellness dimension encompasses the capacity to effectively manage our own emotions, navigate the emotions of others, and regulate emotional responses. It involves the ability to express feelings, adjust to emotional challenges, cope with life’s stressors and finding fulfillment.
Videos
-
TEDTalk – You aren’t at the mercy of your emotions – your brain creates them | Lisa Feldman Barrett
-
TED Talk – Why we all need to practice emotional first aid | Guy Winch
-
TEDTalk – Self-compassion for the self-critical | Susan David
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
Articles and Blogs
-
Emotional wellness: Tips for filling your resilience tank by Jessica Valluzzi, PsyD
-
Coping with grief and loss by Melinda Smith, M.A., Lawrence Robinson and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.
-
Self-esteem: Take steps to feel better about yourself by Mayo Clinic
-
Are you absorbing other people’s emotions? by Kendra Kubala, PsyD and Hilary I. Lebow
Books
Apps
Social Wellness
The social wellness dimension involves fostering meaningful connections where individuals can authentically express themselves, thus cultivating a sense of support, belonging, and purpose. It also embraces setting healthy boundaries within relationships to encourage effective communication, trust, and conflict management.
Videos
-
TED Talk – Why you feel anxious socializing (and what to do about it) | Fallon Goodman
-
TED Talk – The difference between healthy and unhealthy love | Katie Hood
-
TED Talk – The secret to making new friends as an adult | Marisa G. Franco
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
Articles and Blogs
-
The importance of connection by Lori Lawrenz, PsyD and Katie Stiles
-
Ways to improve social connectedness by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Books
-
Set boundaries, find peace: A guide to reclaiming yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
-
Why don’t I feel good enough? Using attachment theory to find a solution by Helen Dent
-
Overcoming bias: Building authentic relationships across differences
Apps
Intellectual Wellness
The intellectual wellness dimension involves embracing activities that stimulate the brain and encourage critical thinking, such as exploring diverse perspectives and engaging in lifelong learning – as a student and beyond. It entails challenging the mind through new experiences and allowing for periods of rest to foster creativity and curiosity, essentials for personal growth and development.
Videos
-
TED Talk – How a student changed her study habits by setting goals and managing time | Yana Savitsky
-
TED Talk – The boost students need to overcome obstacles | Anindya Kundu
-
TED Talk – How to study to maximize performance | Elizabeth Bjork and Robert Bjork
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
Articles and Blogs
-
12 proven ways to increase your intellectual wellness by Tracy Kennedy
-
How to survive clinical placements: Tips from a student nurse by Ayelet Dahan
-
The power of critical thinking: Enhancing decision-making and problem-solving by Dr. Ron Young
Books
Apps
Environmental Wellness
The environmental wellness dimension extends beyond individual well-being to encompass interconnectedness with the natural world and community. It involves recognizing that caring for the environment not only sustains ecosystems but also nurtures our own health and that of future generations.
Videos
-
TED Talk – How climate change affects your mental health | Britt Wray
-
TED Talk – How to turn climate anxiety into climate action | Renee Lertzman
-
TED Talk – Are we the last generation – or the first sustainable one? | Hannah Ritchie
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
-
Sustainability: An 8 minute meditation by Just Breathe Project
-
Guided meditation for awakening the ecological self by David J Voelker
Articles and Blogs
-
8 environmental health tips you can try today by Meagan Young, B. Rec, CTRS
-
11 eco-friendly exercises you can do right now by Jennifer Purdie, M.Ed, CPT
-
Climate change: Coping with difficult emotions by Wellness Together Canada
-
How to talk to someone who doesn’t believe in climate change by Daryl Chen
Books
-
A field guide to climate anxiety: How to keep your cool on a warming planet by Sarah Jaquette Ray
-
Climate change and youth: Turning grief and anxiety into activism by Linda Goldman
-
Eco-types: Five ways of caring about the environment by Emily Huddart Kennedy
-
Media and transnational climate justice: Indigenous activism and climate politics by Anna Roosvall
Apps
Financial Wellness
The financial wellness dimension relies on a solid understanding of financial literacy, enabling individuals to make informed decisions and navigate economic challenges effectively. It involves actively reducing financial stress through setting achievable goals and cultivating healthy financial habits.
Videos
-
TED Talk – Why we make bad financial choices – even when we know better | Wendy De La Rosa
-
TED Talk – Can't stick to a budget? Try these tweaks instead | Wendy De La Rosa
-
TED Talks – Why talking to your friends can help you save money | Wendy De La Rosa
-
TED Talk – 10 steps to boost your financial health – that you can do in a day | Wendy De La Rosa
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
-
Resources to help improve your financial well-being by Government of Canada
-
The frugal scholar’s path to financial wellness by McGill Scholarships and Student Aid
Articles and Blogs
-
How to feel less overwhelmed by debt by Christine Byrne and Seth Gillihan, PhD
-
7 tips to manage your student loan by Credit Counselling Canada
-
Coping with financial stress by Lawrence Robinson and Melinda Smith, M.A.
-
Financial goals for students: How and why to set them by Miranda Marquit
Books
-
You only live once: The roadmap to financial wellness and a purposeful life by Jason Vitug
-
Money like you mean it: Personal finance tactics for the real world by Erica Alini
Apps
Physical Wellness
The physical wellness dimension underscores the importance of integrating physical activity, balanced nutrition, sexual health and adequate sleep into one’s lifestyle while addressing illness prevention and injury management. These practices collectively empower individuals to attentively listen to their bodies’ needs.
Videos
-
TED Talk – What yoga does to your body and brain | Krishna Sudhir
-
TED Talk – The brain changing benefits of exercise | Wendy Suzuki
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
-
Relaxation exercises to help fall asleep by Rob Newsom and Dr. Anis Rehman
-
Healthcare infection prevention and control guidelines by Public Health Agency of Canada
Articles and Blogs
-
7 ways to boost your sexual health and wellbeing by Beatrice Lindéh
-
What is gentle nutrition in intuitive eating? By Christine Byrne, MPH, LD, RDN
-
Where do you store stress in your body? Top 10 secret areas by Sean Grover L.C.S.W.
Books
-
The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
-
Body neutral: A revolutionary guide to overcoming body image issues by Jessi Kneeland
Apps
Occupational Wellness
The occupational wellness dimension entails seeking career paths that align with personal goals, fostering personal growth and attaining a sense of achievement. Improving wellness in daily life necessitates maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which involves managing workplace responsibilities while nurturing positive relationships with colleagues. Balance is upheld through activities that provide opportunities to decompress and maintain meaningful connections.
Videos
-
TEDTalk – As healthcare professionals do we always know best? | Leanna Luxton
-
TEDTalk - The mental health benefits of storytelling for health care workers by Laurel Braitman
-
TEDTalk – How grief helped me become a better caregiver | Hui-wen Sato
-
TEDTalk – The cure for burnout | Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
-
Career development how-to guides by McGill Career Planning Service
-
Occupational hazards in the health sector toolkit by World Health Organization
Articles and Blogs
-
Occupational wellness: Prioritizing your professional well-being by Akash Iyer
-
13 team building ideas for healthcare professionals by Grace He
-
The Importance of self-care for nurses and how to put a plan in place by Purdue Global
Books
Apps
Spiritual Wellness
The spiritual wellness dimension encompasses the exploration of personal beliefs and values, fostering a deep sense of meaning, purpose, and tranquility in life. It involves self-awareness, understanding one’s morals and ethics, building a connection with oneself and the world.
Videos
-
TED Talk – All it takes is 10 mindful minutes | Andy Puddicombe
-
TED Talk – Building resiliency through spirituality | Madison Jaye
-
TED Talk – Kung Fu, Star Trek and the many paths to spirituality | Rainn Wilson
-
TED Talk – How to tap into your awareness – and why meditation is easier than you think
Podcasts
Guides and Exercises
-
Connect with your higher self: A guide to spiritual meditation by Grace Turner
-
30 meditation exercises and activities to practice today by Leslie Riopel, MSc
Articles and Blogs
-
How spirituality can benefit your health and wellbeing by Elizabeth Scott, PhD
-
5 ways to connect to your authentic self by Jennice Vilhauer, Ph. D.
-
The difference between keeping a diary, journalling, and reflecting by Reflection App
-
Living with differences in values and beliefs by Leone Centre
Books
-
A new earth: Awakening to your life’s purpose by Eckhart Tolle
-
The power of now: A guide to spiritual enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle
-
Rooted: Life at the crossroads of science, nature, and spirit by Lyanda Lynn Haupt
Apps
Learn more about the Eight Dimensions of Wellness.