Occupational Wellness: Why Finding Meaning in Your Work Matters
Occupational wellness is a topic that is talked about often but usually in language like “work-life balance.” Occupational wellness refers to the occupation dimension of the Wellness Wheel. Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute (NWI), introduced the concept of the Six Dimensions of Wellness. Hettler posits that holistic wellness is achieved when all dimensions including Intellectual, Occupational, Spiritual, Social, Emotional, and Physical are addressed. While some experts recognize a seventh dimension, Environment, NWI acknowledges its importance without categorizing it separately. Occupational wellness plays a significant role in our overall satisfaction and fulfillment. We’ll explore the significance of occupational wellness and discuss how work can be enjoyable and fulfilling.
The Importance of Occupational Wellness
When any dimension of wellness is neglected, it becomes challenging to attain holistic well-being. Occupational wellness, which involves finding satisfaction in work and maintaining work-life balance, is an integral part of overall well being. Rarely do we associate work with enjoyment, if ever. The good news is that it is absolutely possible to find joy in our work by making sure we’re in careers that meet our personal and professional goals with companies that have healthy work environments.
Can Work Be Fun?
Yes! Many of us imagine a dream job – one that provides not only financial stability but also personal fulfillment. We dream about having a career that aligns with our strengths, talents, and values, giving our lives purpose beyond the workplace. Somewhere along our developmental path, we stopped believing this dream could be a reality. However, it is possible to have your dream job! While not every task or aspect of work may be enjoyable, when you’re in a career that aligns with your goals and values, you’re likely to have more fun at work.
Challenges to Occupational Wellness
Dissatisfaction with work can happen over time. It’s possible to underestimate how much our occupational wellness is suffering. An excessively demanding or stressful work environment can drain our energy, leaving little time or enthusiasm for socializing, pursuing hobbies, or engaging in leisure activities. Stress within the workplace can be wearing and lead to burnout and a diminished sense of overall wellness. It’s important to be aware of how our work is impacting the rest of our wellness dimensions.
Creating Occupational Wellness
We create occupational wellness when we balance our work world with our other areas of wellness. What our individual holistic wellness looks like will be unique to each of us, but when striving for occupational wellness we should assess if our work is meeting our needs of:
Personal Fulfillment
We may be fulfilled by the work we do or the time and resources allotted by our work to do the activities that we enjoy. Each person’s motivation for the work that they do is different, but we all benefit from work-life balance and being in roles that align with our unique talents and abilities.
Financial Stability
You hear about jobs that you do without financial incentive, but ultimately no one spends money on education and training to struggle financially and certainly no one wants to work day in and day out without receiving a living wage.
Personal and Professional Growth
Some people are motivated by increasing their knowledge and experience, others are motivated by titles, and some people are motivated by a salary that provides opportunities for personal development outside of work. Your career should provide growth opportunities that align with your goals.
Connection
Humans are social beings. With so much time spent at work, it’s helpful to be able to connect with others. Connection is so important that Gallup has been able to link having a best friend at work to business outcomes, including profitability and safety.
Attitude Matters
It is essential to acknowledge that no job will fulfill all of our occupational wellness criteria perfectly. However, adopting a growth mindset and cultivating resilience can help overcome inevitable frustrations and setbacks in the workplace. By focusing on the positives and seeking out opportunities for growth, we can enhance our overall well-being.
In Summary
Occupational wellness is a crucial component of holistic wellness. Achieving it involves balancing our work with other areas of wellness, and meeting individual needs of personal fulfillment, financial stability, personal and professional growth, and building connections. Remember, work is not the opposite of enjoyment - when we align our career with our goals and values we can create a more satisfying and fulfilling professional experience.