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      Wellness for Bergen County

      CHIP Wellness Initiative

    • Wellness for Bergen County Initiative

      The Wellness for Bergen County Initiative embraces research that demonstrates how "Wellness connects all aspects of health". As depicted in the interactive graphic above which represents the Wellness for Bergen County Initiative, wellness addresses eight interconnected domains that comprise the whole person: physical (body), emotional (emotions), intellectual (knowledge), environmental (environment), occupational (work), financial (finances), spiritual (beliefs) and social (connection).

    • 8 Dimensions of Wellness

       

      SAMHSA explains the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and helps people understand the practical strategies and ways they can begin developing healthy habits that can have a positive impact on their physical and mental health.

    • Explore the 8 Dimensions of Wellness

      The Wellness for Bergen County Initiative addresses eight interconnected domains that comprise the whole person: physical (body), emotional (emotions), intellectual (knowledge), environmental (environment), occupational (work), financial (finances), spiritual (beliefs) and social (connection).

       

       

      See which partners support this dimension

      Body

       

      ← Click the Body circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension

      Description: Visiting a healthcare provider regularly ~ Exercising and eating healthy ~ Avoiding cigarettes and substance abuse ~ Getting the appropriate amount of sleep ~ Making time for relaxation

      • Maintain a healthy diet.
      • Engage in physical activity (e.g., walking, running, dancing, hiking, cycling, gardening, swimming) for at least 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week*.
      • Stay active by taking the stairs or walking instead of driving.
      • Obtain 7-8 hours of sleep daily.**
      • Maintain healthy weight, and if overweight, reduce caloric intake or increase physical activity.
      • See a healthcare provider regularly, and obtain a physical exam to screen for disease, address the risk of future medical issues, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and update vaccinations.
      • If you smoke cigarettes or consume tobacco products, access smoking cessation resources.

      *World Health Organization's recommendation for physical activity for adults ages 18-64.

      **Center for Disease Control's recommendation for adequate sleep for adults (including the elderly).

       

      See which partners support this dimension

      Emotions

      Click the Emotion circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension →

      Description: Being aware of feelings ~ Coping with stress ~ Building resilience and healthy decision making ~ Expressing feelings through support systems 

       

      Strategies:

      • Seek emotional support when necessary, from informal support systems, family and friends, and/or counseling and mental health services.
      • Be sensitive to, and aware of, your feelings and to the feelings of others.
      • Learn and practice healthy stress management and coping skills (e.g., breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, meditation, doing enjoyable activities, expressing feelings).
      • Obtain 7-8 hours of sleep daily.**
      • Maintain healthy weight, and if overweight, reduce caloric intake or increase physical activity.
      • See a healthcare provider regularly, and obtain a physical exam to screen for disease, address the risk of future medical issues, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and update vaccinations.
      • Engage in positive self-talk and strive to maintain a hopeful and optimistic perspective.
      See which partners support this dimension

      Knowledge

      ← Click the Knowledge circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension

      Description: Being open to expanding intellect and skills ~ Embracing ideas and creativity

       

      Strategies:

      • Learn and develop a challenging skill.
      • Take the opportunity to research, learn and discuss new information and ideas. (e.g., take a class, read a book, follow current events, learn a language, etc. - and share and discuss what you've learned with others).
      • Engage in activities that foster your creativity.
      • Attend community programs and events that explore different ideas of interest to you.
      See which partners support this dimension

      Environment

      Click the Environment circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension →

      Description: Occupying safe, healthy and stimulating environments that support well-being ~ Fostering a community that is inclusive of all people and appreciates diversity

       

      Strategies:

      • Create a home setting that is conducive to your own needs and wellness goals.
      • Volunteer time to worthy causes that benefit the community.
      • Avail yourself of the resources that the community offers.
      • Consider how your lifestyle impacts the natural environment around you.
      • Embrace individuals from various walks of life.
      See which partners support this dimension

      Work

      ← Click the Work circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension​

      Description: Gaining personal enjoyment and enrichment through work (paid or unpaid, volunteering or school)

       

      Strategies:

      • Ensure that your job (paid or unpaid) supports your well-being.
      • Communicate with your supervisor regularly and get support when needed.
      • Take work and/or study breaks.
      • Pursue opportunities to further develop the skills and goals related to your work.
      See which partners support this dimension

      Finances

      Click the Finances circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension →​

      Description: Having satisfaction with current and future financial situations

       

      Strategies:

      • Be thoughtful and creative about budgeting, spending, saving and investing.
      • Plan and prepare for the future and manage bank, savings and investment accounts.
      See which partners support this dimension

      Beliefs

      ← Click the Beliefs circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension​

      Description: Exploring greater purpose and meaning in life ~ Being excited about opportunities the future holds

       

      Strategies:

      • Take time to reflect on a daily basis.
      • Deepen your existing spiritual or religious commitment or seek out a new tradition.
      • Enjoy the resources that the community offers.
      • Make time for practices that enhance your sense of connection to self, nature, or others.
      • Find a community that shares your spiritual or religious outlook.
      See which partners support this dimension

      Connection

      Click the Connection circle to see which Wellness Initiative Partners support this dimension →​​

      Description: Developing satisfying and supportive relationships with friends, family and community members ~ Participating in social and recreational activities

       

      Strategies:

      • Spend time with supportive family, friends, co-workers and peers.
      • Make at least one connection per day by calling, emailing or visiting someone.
      • Join a club or social group.
      • Engage in activities of enjoyment that take place in the community.

    • Consider how the dimensions of wellness are interconnected in given situations.

       

      For example:

         

        The Finances Dimension may affect how an individual feels about spending time with friends, family and community members, or about participating in social and recreational activities (Connection).

        • The Body Dimension may suffer if the individual is using harmful coping mechanisms to manage stress (Emotions).
        • The Work Dimension may thrive if the individual feels he/she is being stimulated creatively (Knowledge).

         

         

        Additionally, Bergen County's priority health needs often derive themselves from challenges faced within multiple dimensions of wellness.

         

        For example:

        • Individuals with mental health and substance abuse conditions are dying decades earlier than the general population. This early mortality is most commonly due to preventable chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular, respiratory or infectious diseases, often influenced by a high prevalence of obesity and tobacco use, side effects of psychiatric medications, exposure to poverty, trauma and social isolation, and a lack of access to quality healthcare, among other factors.

         

        In this example above, three of the four priority areas in the 2019 Bergen County Community Health Needs Assessment and Improvement Plan faced opportunities for improvement: (1) mental health and substance abuse, (2) obesity, fitness, nutrition and chronic disease, and (3) access to care. The example also reflected five of the eight dimensions of wellness: emotions, body, environment, connection, and finances.

         

        The Wellness for Bergen County Initiative seeks to educate the community on the importance of addressing wellness in an interconnected, holistic manner as a basis for how we make choices surrounding our health and well-being, and for how we develop and implement strategies for promoting health and well-being in our community-at-large.

         

        NOTE: This model of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness (as depicted in the visual graphic that represents the Wellness for Bergen County Initiative) is based on the Wellness Initiative put forth by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which had been adapted from:

        Swarbrick, M. (2006). A wellness approach. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29,(4) 311- 314.

      • CHIP COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITY AREAS AND PRIORITY POPULATIONS, 2020-2022

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        The Community Health Improvement Partnership of Bergen County (CHIP) offers its Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Implementation Strategy for 2020-2022. The Implementation Strategy is the result of Bergen County’s Community Health Needs Assessment, conducted in 2019. Through the assessment, the CHIP identified multiple community health priority areas. These areas were identified after consideration of various criteria, including secondary data (comparison of Bergen County data to New Jersey and national data); qualitative findings from surveys, focus groups, community listening sessions, and key informant interviews; and The CHIP’s ability to have impact on a priority area.

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        Wellness Self-Assessment

        Please feel free to view, download, and distribute copies of this material.

      • About The Initiative

        Mission

        The Wellness for Bergen County Initiative, sponsored by the Bergen County Department of Health Services and the Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) of Bergen County, pledges to promote whole-body wellness for all the people who live, work, or attend school in Bergen County. The Initiative empowers individuals and families, organizations and business, schools, municipalities, and places of worship to take action towards holistic well-being and improved quality of life.

        Vision

        The Wellness for Bergen County Initiative envisions a community that values an approach to wellness that addresses the whole person by integrating eight interconnected dimensions: physical (body), emotional (emotions), intellectual (knowledge), environmental (environment), occupational (work), financial (finances), spiritual (beliefs) and social (connection). The Initiative strives to create universal access to health and wellness education and services, while significantly reducing the prevalence and burden of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, depression, anxiety and substance abuse. To achieve this, the Wellness for Bergen County believes in the power of diverse partners - organizations and businesses, schools, municipalities and places of worship - collaborating to empower our community to achieve a standard of wellness for all the people who live, work, or attend school in Bergen County.

         

      • Contact the Wellness for Bergen County Initiative

        If you have any questions about the Wellness for Bergen County Initiative, if your organization would like to become a community partner, or if you are interested in volunteering as a Wellness Ambassador, please contact:

        Marla Klein, Office of Health Promotion,
        Bergen County Department of Health Services

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        mklein@co.bergen.nj.us

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        (201) 634-2693

      • The Wellness for Bergen County Initiative is sponsored by the Bergen County Department of Health Services (BCDHS) and the Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) of Bergen County. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness model (as depicted in the visual graphic that represents the Wellness for Bergen County Initiative) is based on the Wellness Initiative put forth by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which had been adapted from: Swarbrick, M. (2006). A wellness approach. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 29,(4) 311- 314.

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