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Most of us think about wellness as the lack of illness or disease. That is certainly one definition, but there is more to wellness than simply not being sick. Another definition can be living life fully. True wellness includes: optimum physical and behavioral health, having a purpose in life, active involvement in satisfying work and play, joyful relationships, and happiness.

Wellness is important! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tell us that higher levels of well-being are associated with lower risk of disease, illness and injury, better immune functioning, faster recovery, and longer life expectancy.

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See more: The Importance of Well-Being

The eight dimensions of wellness are interdependent and influence each other. If any one of them is neglected, a person’s health and quality of life will be negatively affected. The key to wellness is balancing physical, emotional, financial, intellectual, social, occupational, spiritual and environmental wellness.