There are eight dimensions of wellness, all of which are interconnected.  These dimensions are emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual. Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of and make choices for overall wholeness, happiness, and well-being.  This process begins with an awareness of one's abilities, accomplishments, limitations, and goals.  It also involves the recognition that you have physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs.  Wellness is a positive approach to living.  Finally, it is a process of taking responsibility for choices that impact personal well-being and others. 

University of the Pacific is committed to the whole person wellness of our Pacific family.  This website will provide information about each dimension, as well as resources both at Pacific and in the community, to support in the personal development of the 8 dimensions of wellness.  We welcome you to PacWell and ask that you make a commitment to learn about and strive towards whole person wellness.

Emphasizes awareness and acceptance of one's feelings

• Includes the degree to which one feels positive and enthusiastic about life
• Includes the capacity to manage one's feelings
• Maintains satisfying relationships with others

Leading a life that is respectful of our environment

• Understanding the relationship between personal decisions and social consequences
• Awareness limits of the earth's natural resources
• Developing a reverence for the natural world

Understanding your financial situation and being financially literate

• Being comfortable with where your money comes from and where it's going
• Learning how to budget, monitor, and save money
• Understanding how money management can prepare you for future financial success

Encourages creative, stimulating mental activities

• Explores problem solving, creativity and learning
• Spends time appreciating and thinking about personal interests
• Encourages being curious; challenging the mind to be creative
• Sees problems and challenges as stepping stones, not stumbling blocks 

Engaging and preparing for meaningful work

• Gaining personal satisfaction and enrichment in work
• Developing skills to manage career goals
• Understanding the path and components of career ambitions  

Maintaining a healthy quality of life

• Being able to perform daily activities without undue fatigue
• Avoiding harmful habits such as tobacco, drugs and excessive alcohol consumption
• Encouraging the building of muscular and cardiovascular strength, endurance, and flexibility
• Understanding and respecting the relationship between sound nutrition and developing healthy eating habits
• Taking responsibility for self-care of minor illnesses and appropriate use of the medical system

Having positive interactions with and enjoying being with others

• Being comfortable in work and leisure situations
• Being able to communicate feelings and needs to others
• Developing and building close friendships and intimacy
• Practicing empathy and effective listening 

Seeking meaning and purpose in human existence

• Includes understanding "who am I?" and "what is meaningful in my life?"
• Involves an ongoing process of reconciling one's beliefs or religious identity
• Recognizes the complexity of life
• Seeks to use one's deeper understanding about purpose and meaning of life