August is National Wellness Month, but for McLean Wellness Director Kimberly Wright, every month is a wellness month. For McLean, and for Kim, wellness does not refer to just physical health. There are many measures of wellness – in fact, true wellness is Boundless.
What do we mean by Boundless?
Here at McLean we call our wellness program “Boundless Wellness.” It’s based on seven dimensions of wellness –emotional, physical, intellectual, social, vocational, environmental, and spiritual – and it reaches beyond treadmills and nutrition. Boundless is a holistic philosophy that applies to everyone, regardless of age or abilities. It opens our minds to new ideas and experiences. It fosters more meaningful relationships and a closer connection to our surroundings.
In a nutshell, Boundless keeps us productive and satisfied – all to achieve a greater state of balance and harmony.
What are the seven facets of Boundless Wellness?
Physical
Lifestyle choices that help maintain or improve health and fitness can often lead to living longer. Physical activity, exercise, and proper nutrition can help keep you looking good and feeling great, while enhancing self-esteem and determination.
Consider these ways to improve your PHYSICAL wellness: Make healthy dining choices; take a fitness class, swim, ride your bike, or enjoy a walking trail; play ping pong, golf, or pickleball.
Intellectual
A healthy mind requires stimulating activities, creative endeavors, and problem-solving and reasoning opportunities. Opening your mind to new ideas and experiences, applying what you’ve learned, and sharing your gifts with others are all ways to keep engaged with the world around you.
Consider these ways to improve your INTELLECTUAL wellness: Play cards or board games, join a book club, sign up for a class, or attend a lecture series.
Emotional
Being emotionally well is more than just handling stress. It’s the ability to understand your feelings and cope with the challenges life can bring. To be able to acknowledge and share these feelings allows you to achieve greater emotional stability and better enjoy the journey.
Consider these ways to improve your EMOTIONAL wellness: Sign up for massage therapy, aroma therapy, a yoga class, or a Reiki session.
Social
Social wellness is achieved through building healthy relationships, a connection with those around you, and a support system that includes family and friends. It helps combat the feelings of isolation and loneliness that can plague people as circumstances change.
Consider these ways to improve your SOCIAL wellness: Exercise with a friend; join a club; accept social invitations to parties (don’t be a wallflower!); make time for outings for shopping, theater, and community events.
Vocational
The ability to do what you love is important to your overall wellbeing. Using your skills and talents helps you stay productive and satisfied. Whether you’re using those talents to create something or help someone else, the process will help you feel a greater sense of purpose, happiness, and enrichment.
Consider these ways to improve your VOCATIONAL wellness: Start a new club that reflects your interests, join mentoring programs, volunteer.
Environmental
Living a lifestyle that’s respectful to your surroundings contributes to a healthier world. Interacting with nature, protecting your environment, having adequate shelter, and feeling like you have personal safety are all factors that contribute to your overall wellness.
Consider these ways to improve your ENVIRONMENTAL wellness: Visit the McLean game refuge, attend flora and fauna programs, recycle, bird-watch, join the garden club.
Spiritual
The path to spiritual wellness is a personal matter. While different individuals may have different beliefs, the search for meaning and purpose in life is universal. It leads one to strive for harmony while working to balance inner needs with the rest of the world.
Consider these ways to improve your SPIRITUAL wellness: Meditate, participate in Bible study, attend religious services, or practice forest bathing.
The suggestions above really just scratch the surface of Boundless Wellness. We’d love to talk more with you about what it might mean to you – and share an opportunity to take a free wellness class here at McLean.* To learn more, visit us online at or call us at 860-658-3750. Memberships to McLean’s Boundless Wellness Center are now available!
McLean’s Boundless Wellness director publishes a brief monthly newsletter for the community; if you would like to be added to the email distribution list, please email Kimberly.Wright@McLeanCare.org.
*One free class per person. Offer expires 12/31/23.