Have You Taken Your Temperature Lately?
In our fast-paced world, I sometimes overlook the importance of checking in on my own wellness. And when I do, I usually end up focusing on the “symptom of the day” rather than looking at the big picture. Just as we use blood pressure and temperature to help monitor our immediate physical well-being, the LCMS has a Wellness Wheel to help you determine your well-rounded wellness. This resource can help you assess which areas are strong and which areas may be showing signs of “infection” and need attention.
Physical wellness is perhaps the most tangible aspect of the wellness wheel. It involves maintaining a healthy body through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest. It’s been my New Year’s resolution every year with the determination that this year will be different. It ain’t easy, for sure, but my Giant Leap is still edging towards my goal.
Emotional wellness involves understanding and managing our emotions. It includes being able to express feelings appropriately, cope with stress, and enjoy life. We can fill our toolbox with resources that help ground us and keep our emotional temperature from rising during times of stress, anxiety, or sadness.
Intellectual wellness is how we engage in creative and stimulating activities that expand our knowledge and skills. This may be easier for someone in school or thinking of transitioning to a new job and needs training, but it can start to wane (especially in this new world of AI) if we don’t take the time to intentionally exercise our intellect through reading, solving puzzles, or learning a new hobby.
Relational wellness refers to the quality of our relationships and our ability to connect with others. Just as our body temperature can fluctuate, our relationships can rise and fall based on stressors and conflict pushing between us. Relationships that are forced for the sake of the kidscan eventually implode, which is where my ministry of reconciliations seeks to assist couples, churches, and organizations that are in conflict.
Vocational wellness is about finding satisfaction and enrichment in our work or volunteer activities. The SED has a great resource in Travis Guse’s work in “Called 2 Be”. Check it out to see what you can do when your vocational temperature is rising and leading to stress and unhappiness.
Spiritual wellness involves our relationship with God, our relationship with ourselves, and our relationship with others. It’s an area we can sometimes overlook in our journey to improve the other areas on the wheel, but you’ll notice it the one aspect that encompasses all areas of wellness. You can check out your spiritual temperature by understanding your spiritual intelligence.
Making your way through all those links takes time, but you may want to “take your temperature”. The Southeastern District coaching network stands ready to help you measure where you are on this wheel, determine where you would like to be and walk with you in a coaching relationship to help you achieve that goal.
Rev Alan Shaw is an Assistant Pastor at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Cary, NC. He is a retired Army officer and serves as a resource for the SED and LCMS with Christian Conciliation training, workshops, and reconciliation cases. He can be reached at alan@restoringharmonyllc.com.
