Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/329694
I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 41 Occupational Wellness Occupational wellness is concerned with fi nding personal satisfaction and enrichment through one's work. When people can use their talents and interests to contribute to society through their work, that work tends to feel more enjoyable, fulfi lling, and meaningful. Sample questions for exploring occupational wellness might include: • Do I feel challenged by and satisfi ed with my current work, or am I preparing now to move into an area of work that I believe will challenge and satisfy me? • Does my current work, or my intended future work, align with my ethical values and personal beliefs? If not, what is the misalignment and can change occur to make this work a good fi t for me? • Can I create positive change through my work? Are my feelings and opinions respected? Can I infl uence decision making if this is important to me? • Can I accurately assess my strengths and weaknesses in relation to my work and set goals that lead to increased capacity and skill? Do I regularly strive to improve my personal performance? • Do I believe that I have the qualities of a valuable employee and that I can obtain and secure a meaningful job? • Am I doing what I want to with my life and career? Social Wellness The ability to build and keep supportive and satisfying relationships is an essential element of wellness. Social wellness also requires exploring your interaction with your local and global community, because being an active participant in society can enrich life and provide purpose and meaning. Sample questions for exploring social wellness might include: • Can I adjust to new places and make new friends? • Do I give time and energy to old friendships and to family relationships? • Do I value diversity and interact with people of different ages, races, cultures, and lifestyles? • Do I maintain my beliefs, ideas, and values when interacting with other people? At the same time, do I demonstrate tolerance and openness for different beliefs and new ideas? • Am I aware of the concerns of the different communities with which I interact (e.g., school, work, neighborhood, etc.) and do I participate in problem solving or actions to build a stronger community? • Do I feel a responsibility and commitment to the global community? How do my actions and behaviors demonstrate this commitment? INSPIRATION FOR CHANGE A wellness model and personal wellness inventory are used to create a wellness plan in which specifi c goals and action steps lead to greater equilibrium. To create a wellness plan, identify the area you are most motivated to change. You might keep track of your progress in a wellness journal or through the coaching of a health-care professional. At predetermined dates, progress on the plan should be evaluated and the plan revised and updated. Anne Williams is the director of education for Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals and author of Massage Mastery: from Student to Professional (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2012), from which this article was adapted, and Spa Bodywork: A Guide for Massage Therapists, 2nd Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2013). She can be reached at anne@abmp.com.