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23 Domains of Health

There are six aspects, or “domains”, of maintaining personal wellbeing that pertain to students: social, intellectual, emotional, mindfulness & spiritual, physical, and occupational[1], the first five of which are applicable for graduate students. Maintaining health in each of these domains can help sustain work-life balance.

The following table lists these five domains of health and offers suggestions for ways to encourage and maintain wellness in each area. Looking at the table, consider which domains you are currently tending to and which may perhaps need more attention.

Table 2: Domains of health definitions and examples

Domain Examples
Social Domain

Icon depicting interconnected circles containing outlines of headsThis domain highlights creating and maintaining healthy relationships with your family, friends, colleagues, and other members of your social circle.
  • Plan regular events with friends and family, whether it be board games, hiking or walking trails, or sharing a meal.
  • Get involved in clubs and sports organizations on campus.
  • Have honest conversations about what “healthy” relationships look like to you and how you can best give and receive support during your degree.
Intellectual Domain

Icon depicting open bookThis domain highlights engaging in creative and mentally stimulating tasks to expand your knowledge and skills.
  • Engage with learning about research or recent world events outside of your discipline through friends or reading the news.
  • Take up a mentally stimulating hobby.
Mindfulness-Spiritual Domain

Icon depicting outline of person in lotus positionThis domain highlights connecting with your inner self, values and beliefs, and any spiritual relationships you have.
  • Find space and time to experience quiet moments of thought or guided mindfulness.
  • Spend time reconnecting with nature or spaces that bring you joy.
  • Take part in religious activities if you belong to a religion.
Physical Domain

Icon depicting line drawing of bicycleThis domain highlights the importance of maintaining physical wellness through diet and nutrition, exercise, sleep, and preventative healthcare practices.
  • Get at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
  • Consider incorporating exercise into your day-to-day activities. For example, go on lunch hour walks with friends and colleagues.
  • Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water.
Emotional Domain

Icon depicting line drawing of three people holding up a heartThis domain highlights awareness of – and connection to – positive and negative feelings and your approach to managing stressors.
  • Find experiences that “de-stress” you and make that part of your regular self-care schedule.
  • Seek support from friends and peers or professional help.
  • Maintain a positive attitude and accept mistakes as they arise.

 

Everyone is different in their approach to health and in their abilities to pursue wellness in each area – there is no “one size fits all” to this exercise. The key to the domains of health is to reflect on your present health habits and consider which areas you feel are at optimal “health” and which areas may need more attention.

  1. Hettler, B. (1976). The six dimensions of wellness. Retrieved from http://www.hettler.com/sixdimen.htm ↵

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