Inspired by the SAMHSA Wellness Framework
Discover the 8 Dimensions of Wellness inspired by SAMHSA’s model for holistic wellbeing. Learn how each area contributes to your emotional, physical, and spiritual health.
What Are the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing?
Life can feel overwhelming when you’re managing responsibilities, transitions, and personal growth. The 8 Dimensions of Wellness, developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), offer a comprehensive and compassionate way to reflect on whole-person health.
This holistic wellness model recognizes that true wellbeing isn’t just about physical health or mental stability — it’s about the full picture: your body, mind, relationships, environment, and sense of purpose.
Mental Health Disclaimer:
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or substance use, please seek support from a licensed mental health provider. Help is available, and healing is possible.
Why This Framework Matters — Even Without Substance Abuse
Although the SAMHSA model was developed to support those in recovery from substance use, its 8 dimensions of wellness apply to everyone. You don’t need to have experienced addiction to benefit from a wellness framework that:
- Addresses every area of your life
- Highlights interconnectedness
- Encourages balance and growth
Wellness is not one-size-fits-all. What’s helpful is to notice which areas are thriving, and which might need more care.
Overview of the 8 Dimensions of Wellbeing
Below is a summary of the eight areas we’ll explore throughout this blog series — each one representing a unique aspect of your life and wellbeing:
1. Emotional
The ability to understand, manage, and express emotions in healthy ways. Emotional resilience, self-awareness, and stress management are key.
2. Environmental
Creating spaces that support health, safety, and calm — from your living environment to your relationship with nature.
3. Financial
Feeling secure in your financial choices, managing resources wisely, and aligning spending with your values.
4. Intellectual
Engaging your mind through learning, creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving.
5. Occupational
Experiencing purpose and satisfaction in your work, while maintaining balance and boundaries.
6. Physical
Caring for your body through movement, nutrition, rest, and routine healthcare.
7. Social
Building strong, healthy relationships and a support system that nurtures your wellbeing.
8. Spiritual
Connecting to meaning, purpose, and something greater than yourself — through faith, values, or personal reflection.
What to Expect in This Blog Series
This series is for anyone who wants to live with greater intention and self-compassion. Each post will focus on one dimension of wellbeing and will answer three simple questions:
🌀 What is this area of wellbeing?
🌱 Why does it matter?
🛠️ How can you begin to practice it in daily life?
A Gentle Starting Point
Before we dive into emotional wellbeing in the next post, here’s a reflective prompt:
Which areas of your life feel strong right now?
Which areas feel neglected, chaotic, or undernourished?
There’s no need for guilt — only gentle awareness and an openness to grow. You are a whole person, and your wellness journey deserves space, grace, and care.
Up Next: Emotional Wellbeing
In our next post, we’ll take a deeper look at Emotional Wellbeing — exploring how to identify emotions, express them in healthy ways, and build resilience through life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Your wellbeing matters. And you don’t have to pursue it alone.
-Laura