8 Dimensions of Wellness Scale: How Are You Really Doing?

Oct 13, 2019

The 8 Dimensions of Wellness Scale

Name: _________________________________
Date: __________________
Score: _________________

The origin of the 8-dimensional model of wellness was credited to Dr. Bill Hettler in 1976; he started with 6 dimensions. Dr. Hettler is the co-founder of the National Wellness Institute (NWI).

I created this scale using these dimensions of wellness with the intention of assessing our overall satisfaction or dissatisfaction with life in general. John 10:10 tells us, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (NASB). The Word “Abundantly” is the Greek Word perissós, meaning “Over and above, more than enough.” In Luke 17:11-19 the Bible tells us the story of the Ten Lepers.

And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (KJV)

The word Cleansed in Luke 17:14 is the Greek Word katharízō meaning “To cleanse, free from filth.” The lepers asked to be cleansed from Leprosy, that was one specific thing. Many times, we focus on one aspect of our lives, but our lives are more complex than that. For example, we decided that we want to lose weight. After we lose the weight, we feel physically better, but overall, we may still have a sense that something is still missing. That is because we may be focusing on our health, while ignoring our social wellness. Maybe we are doing well in our financial wellness, but not so well in our spiritual wellness and so on.

Out of these 10 Lepers, one came back to give glory to Jesus and only he experienced wholeness. The word Wholeness in Luke 17:19 is the Greek word, sṓzō; meaning “To save, deliver, make whole, preserve safe from danger, loss, destruction.” Wholeness is more than just one aspect of our lives, wholeness involves the entire complexity of the human experience.

I believe that as we take a look at these eight dimensions of wellness, we get a good practical picture of what an abundant live look like. Wellness is not only about losing weight and having money; there are a lot physically fit and financially stable people who still feel miserable. Wellness is defined “as an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”

It is my hope that as you sincerely approach this Wellness Scale that you become aware that God desires to give you a life that is abundant and whole. It is my hope that you do not settle for misery. It is my hope that you experience fullness of life by surrendering to God and making better choices on each of these categories of wellness.

1. Occupational Wellness:

Personal engagement with one’s work that is meaningful and rewarding.

• Scale of 1 to 10: _____