By Mindy Sawnor

When we talk about “health,” we’re most often talking about physical health: how our bodies are doing in terms of things like blood pressure, fitness, diet, sleep, etc. In general, we equate health with the absence of illness or injury.

But physical health is just one component of our overall wellness. As the World Health Organization says, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” That means taking a holistic view of health and wellness.

That view involves what we at St. Ann’s refer to as the 10 dimensions of wellness, 10 interconnected areas that when balanced create a positive quality of life. The dimensions are physical, spiritual, vocational, intellectual, nutritional, emotional, environmental, social, health services and purposeful. Let’s take a look at three of them.

Physical

Physical health is, of course, vitally important, especially as we age. Staying active and fit can prevent or delay health problems and keep muscles strong so you can keep doing the things you love. Cardio workouts, resistance training and swimming are some of the things seniors at Chapel Oaks take advantage of in our fitness center. A wellness coach helps residents create fitness plans that meet their goals and are an appropriate fit for each individual.

Less intensive workouts also contribute to good physical health. Our residents take part in chair aerobics, yoga classes, Wii bowling and other light but beneficial exercises. These also offer opportunities for residents to enjoy each other’s company, which supports the dimension of social wellness.

Intellectual

Working the brain is as important as working the body. Mental stimulation helps us stay sharp and maintain cognitive skills like awareness, attention, perception and memory. For seniors, this might mean taking an art class, joining a book club, attending lectures and enjoying music and theater performances. These are among the options we offer at Chapel Oaks, along with mentally stimulating games like Scrabble and Jeopardy and group discussions on topics of our residents’ choice.

Engaging in something of your choosing is what’s important. Part of intellectual wellness is being self-directed, living life with purpose. That’s why we listen to our residents and create opportunities based on their interests. For example, at their request last year, we formed a chorus group that performed to a packed house over the holidays! Knowing that your voice matters is not only nice but emotionally fulfilling — also a part of overall wellness.

Spiritual

Nourishing the spirit is like nourishing the body: we can’t do without it. Activities like prayer groups, Bible study, grief support groups and weekly Mass can help us achieve balance in our lives and attain a sense of inner peace. That’s important in a world that can sometimes seem out of control. We’re also fortunate at St. Ann’s to have a pastoral care team that’s always ready to meet with residents and support their spiritual needs. The goal is to bring peace, meaning and connection to our lives and support our overall well-being.

So don’t forget: physical health is important but it doesn’t stand alone. Taking care of the other, less tangible dimensions of wellness is the key to living a full and healthy life at any age.