Kick Start 2013
The new year is always a great time to reassess your life. When I used to teach lecture classes on fitness and health at Metropolitan State University of Denver, the students first project was to assess their lives on a “Wellness Wheel.” The goal is to view the essential categories of life on paper. This way one can see where to add more focus, or where to back off some. I encourage you to do the same this year, so that you can be more productive and “DO” more instead of just talking about doing more.
Write down each category and think about what you are doing right now for each category. Then, go back and add where you think you can improve in each category.
Categories
- Physical – This includes eating habits, fitness, sleep, stress, doctors visits, consumption of drugs and alcohol
- Intellectual – This includes communication, productivity, new experiences, organization skills
- Emotional – This includes coping strategies, stress management, self identity
- Spiritual – This includes relaxation, religious traditions. This section is intended to increase understanding of your own beliefs, values, and ethics.
- Social – This includes community service, relationships, group participation
- Environmental – This category is intended to assess your satisfaction of your current work, home, and interest in continuing education.
For further explanation of each category, you can visit http://www.vanderbilt.edu/studentrec/wellness/wellness-wheel/
– Mercedes Pollmeier, Strength & Conditioning Coach