The Degrees of Wellness: Six Rules to Creating a Healthy Union Through Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

The Degrees of Wellness

Six Rules to Creating a Healthy Union Through Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

Christine A. Benjamin

Copyright © 2024

All Rights Reserved

Dedication

To My Beloved Family,

This book is dedicated to you, my precious sons, and the remarkable woman who has been a guiding light in my life, my mother. You are the ones who have inspired me to embark on this journey of exploring the six degrees of wellness and sharing my insights with the world.

To my boys, you are my pride and joy. Your boundless curiosity, unwavering love, and playful spirits have filled my life with immeasurable happiness. As I delve into the intricacies of wellness, I am reminded of the importance of nurturing your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. May this book serve as a compass to guide you on your wellness journey as you embark on your journey as a man.

To my dear mother, you are my rock and pillar of strength. Your unwavering support, wisdom, and unconditional love have shaped me into who I am today. As I explore the six dimensions of wellness in this book, I am grateful for the valuable lessons you have taught me about the interconnectedness of our well-being. Your constant presence in my life has been a beacon of inspiration, and I am honored to dedicate this book to you.

To my wise grandmother in heaven, I continue to heed your guiding words and feel your loving spirit. Thank you for being my best friend in my most trying times.

Thank you, family, for being my motivation and my driving force. Your presence in my life has enriched it beyond measure, and I am forever grateful for the love and support you provide. May this book be a testament to the profound impact you have had on my life and the profound bond we share.

With all my love,

Christine

Acknowledgment

I would like to express my gratitude to  Source, God, my Angelic Team for providing me with the inspiration and guidance to write this book on the six dimensions of wellness.

My dear friend, Aaron Sahpreem King, you’ve inspired and encouraged me to write this book for many years, and I’m amazed at the journey it took to get here. Your dedication to being a sounding board, cheerleader, guide, and friend has truly shown me the value of having people like you in my life, and I can assure you there are not many. Thank you for your valued friendship and guidance over the decades, and cheers to continued growth within ourselves and our propelled vision to change the world.

I also want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout this journey as well as my production team for all of their hard work and dedication to this project. Finally, I would like to acknowledge all those who have contributed to my spiritual growth and development over the years.

About the Author

No one is a perfect person. But why not strive to be the version of us that comes closest to perfection?

Christine Antionette Benjamin was born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, NY. Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, she was heavily influenced by music, the arts, and her community. She grew up in an era where going outside and gathering her crew of friends to play handball in the park was normal and happened quite often.

Even at that age, she spent most of her time in the company of her friends and learned much about human behaviors and actions. Those days were key parts of the story of her growth and understanding of her role in society. Christine’s thought process and challenging the ‘normal’ has always pushed her to consider beyond what is seen and commonly understood; because normal is not always what’s best.

Christine believes that sometimes, our lives are carbon copies of our parents' and grandparents’ lives—although, they are not always in alignment with our own personal soul’s journey.

She is fascinated with uncovering people’s true value and showing them how to live a fulfilling and harmonious life. Over the course of several decades, she has developed the tools to help herself and her community. She has many years of esoteric study and acquiring knowledge of divination tools to assist her and her clients on her belt.

She believes tools such as numerology, astrology, human design, destiny cards, reiki, and tarot, connect our higher self and spiritual teams that help guide us through life. She has also studied emotional intelligence, physical communication, and the human psyche. She relies heavily upon her intuition when consulting clients to tune into their core soul desires. She then helps them to uncover the shadow aspects of their lives.

She does this so they may realize their hidden potential and grow into a better version of themselves. Over several years of training and teaching, Christine has come to realize that the six aspects reviewed in this book are areas that are usually most distorted and hinder people from forming healthy bonds and boundaries.

With this book, she hopes to share information that will be a catalyst for change for some and an achievement checklist for others.

Preface

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is such a broad concept. Our cultural perspectives and life experiences have an impact on how we view it. We can define wellness as the state of one being aware, self-directed, holistically developing, multifaceted, affirming, and inclusive. For us to genuinely grow, we must pay attention to all facets of our well-being.

All dimensions don't have to be in perfect equilibrium. Finding personal harmony with the aspects that resonate with you or are most true to you is the objective instead. Passively getting there is not an option; you must be conscious, actively accepting, and committed.

Physical Wellness

When we think of ‘health,’ we generally focus on our physical condition first. However, physical wellness is more than just being free of sickness, which is how we often define it. Physical wellness is all about taking care of your body so that you may live a long, healthy, and active life. This aspect of our well-being necessitates developing healthy behaviors and maintaining them throughout time. For our bodies to work properly and feel well, we need to eat a balanced diet and engage in frequent fitness- activities while avoiding dangerous circumstances and substances, including alcohol, smoking, and narcotics. Pay attention to your body, attend all of your doctor's visits and vaccinations, and get enough rest. You only have one body, so make it your top priority!

Emotional Wellness

Developing an awareness and acceptance of your feelings, actions, beliefs, and attitudes is a key component of emotional well-being. It also entails exploring and controlling your emotions and respecting others' sentiments. It takes work to become emotionally aware, yet developing this ability can help us take control and recover from challenges in life.

Our emotional wellness and general hardiness may be improved by regularly practicing self-care, setting reasonable expectations, adopting constructive and healthy coping mechanisms, and cultivating relationships with others.

It's important to note that the terms emotional well-being and mental wellness can be used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. One aspect of mental well-being is focused on how well your mind processes events and information. The way those ideas and feelings are communicated is related to emotional well-being.

It's crucial to get assistance whenever necessary to maintain a good attitude while you attempt to improve your well-being since the relationship between mental and emotional health can be complicated.

Social Wellness

Making a good impact on society, engaging with your community, and developing healthy connections with others are all aspects of social well-being. Being conscious of your tastes and background is the first step in achieving this aspect of well-being. For instance, it's possible that you like a different kind, volume, or frequency of sociability than others do.

We must appreciate variety, be receptive to the social and cultural backgrounds of others, and be sensitive to be socially healthy. This means that we need to be aware of and accepting of diversity.

True social well-being requires developing and maintaining a secure, encouraging, welcoming, and pleasant interpersonal and group interactions. Feelings of belonging and social welfare may be influenced by taking pleasure in social interaction, making enduring friendships, and maintaining good interpersonal relationships.

Financial Wellness

Being financially healthy requires being careful with your money and resource management. Budgeting and learning to live within your means are essential components of financial wellness. You may satisfy your short- and long-term demands, fulfill financial commitments, and accomplish reasonable financial objectives with sound money management techniques.

Making wise investment choices and having an emergency plan are two other financial issues. Well-handled finances lessen stress and concern by providing a greater feeling of stability and security.

Think about what kind of connection you have with money!

The values, beliefs, upbringing, culture, and a host of other characteristics that a person possesses may all impact how they feel about money. Remember that everyone has different financial demands and situations. Financial wellness is more about developing valuable skills and taking action that fits your goals than it is about having money.

Spiritual Wellness

Spiritual well-being may be characterized as looking for motivation, contemplating the meaning of life, or leading a purposeful, intentional existence. This is a highly private endeavor that is based on a person's values and beliefs. It might or might not involve worship, religious observance, the notion of a higher power, sacrosanct rites, or cultural customs. Some people achieve serenity via mindfulness, yoga, or meditation. Others discover harmony by getting in touch with nature.

Others discover spiritual well-being through introspection, self-examination, thankfulness, or leading a charitable and compassionate life. Having a strong sense of right and wrong helps us make decisions and directs our behavior. Working on the spiritual side of wellness strengthens our inner tenacity and enables us to live gracefully.

Intellectual Wellness

Intellectual wellness refers to the state of being actively engaged in learning, growing, and expanding your knowledge and skills. This dimension of wellness is important because it helps keep the mind active and engaged, which can positively impact overall health and well-being.

Intellectual wellness involves continuously challenging the mind, learning new things, and seeking new experiences. This can be achieved through activities such as reading, attending educational events, engaging in hobbies, or pursuing a new skill. In addition, intellectual wellness also involves being open to new ideas, seeking diverse perspectives, and having an inquisitive and curious mind.

Having intellectual wellness can bring a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and meaning to life. It can also enhance decision-making skills and problem-solving abilities, improving personal and professional success. Encouraging and pursuing intellectual wellness can lead to a more dynamic and well-rounded life and a more adaptable mind that can better handle life’s challenges.

Occupational Wellness

Occupational wellness refers to the balance and satisfaction between one's work and other aspects of life. It involves finding meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in one's work and making it a positive aspect of one's overall well-being.

Occupational wellness means having a job that provides a sense of purpose, challenge, and satisfaction. It also means balancing work demands with other aspects of life, such as relationships, hobbies, and self-care. This can be achieved by setting realistic expectations, managing time effectively, and engaging in activities outside of work that bring joy and balance to life. Occupational wellness also involves seeking and finding work that aligns with one's values, skills, and interests. This can lead to a greater sense of purpose, fulfillment, and satisfaction in work. Additionally, having occupational wellness can lead to improved financial stability, which can positively impact other dimensions of wellness, such as financial and emotional wellness.

It's important to continuously reflect on and assess one's occupational wellness and make changes as necessary to achieve a fulfilling and balanced work-life.

Environmental Wellness

Environmental wellness refers to the relationship between an individual and their surrounding environment. It involves understanding and appreciating the environmental impact of our actions and seeking to live in harmony with the natural world.

Having environmental wellness means being aware of and sensitive to environmental issues and making an effort to reduce one's carbon footprint. This can be achieved by reducing waste, conserving resources, using environmentally friendly products, and engaging in activities that promote environmental health, such as recycling and gardening.

Environmental wellness also involves connecting with and appreciating nature. This can be achieved through activities such as hiking, camping, or simply spending time outdoors in nature. This connection with the natural world can bring a sense of peace, balance, and rejuvenation to one's life.

Environmental wellness can also positively impact other dimensions of wellness, such as physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. By understanding and appreciating our relationship with the environment, we can live more sustainably and in harmony with the world around us, promoting overall well-being.

These are the eight dimensions of wellness. Throughout this book, I intend to use these to further develop the ideas discussed in the six parts of the book. In doing so, I intend to show how one can live a happy life and have a fulfilling relationship!

Foreword

Life is a vast, multifaceted journey. To navigate it truly, one must grasp the concept of holistic Wellness, which extends beyond the conventional four directions. Imagine a compass that does not merely point north, south, east, or west but towards eight definitive dimensions, each beckoning us toward a richer understanding of well-being.

In The Degrees of Wellness: Six Rules to Creating a Healthy Union Through Self-Discovery and Personal Growth, Christine Benjamin explores this intricate tapestry. She draws us into a world where Physical Wellness isn't just about health but is the vessel of our life's voyage. Emotional Wellness, far from being just feelings, is a deep dive into our very souls. With Social Wellness, we learn to bond and blend with our surrounding world, and Financial Wellness becomes the backbone to chasing and achieving dreams.

Christine's wisdom delves deeper, offering insights into Spiritual Wellness as our tether to the greater mysteries of existence. Intellectual Wellness reignites the ever-curious child in us, Occupational Wellness redefines professional satisfaction, and Environmental Wellness ties us back to the world, encouraging a harmonious coexistence with nature.

Having had the privilege of Christine's friendship for nearly twenty years, I've been a direct beneficiary of her deep insights and wisdom. Our countless conversations, laden with lessons about life and its myriad facets, have consistently pointed towards one truth: Wellness is a continuous journey of self-discovery.

The essence of Christine can be captured in one word: connected. She's attuned not just to the world's palpable rhythm but to its unseen harmonies as well.

This connection has been a beacon for many, including myself, showing us paths paved with love, hope, and a profound understanding of life's intricacies.

Her book embodies this very spirit. When Christine shared her intention to encapsulate her insights into written form, I pondered how such vast wisdom could be confined to pages.

Yet, here we are—with a guide that is as profound as it is transformative.

I invite you to immerse yourself in this journey. As you explore each dimension, may you unearth your unique balance, resonate with the wisdom, and find a renewed purpose, joy, and fulfillment in life.

By the journey's end, I assure you, you'll emerge with a deeper, richer perspective on Wellness and well-being.

Aaron Sahpreem King

Spiritual Alchemist, Founder of Soular Astronauts™

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

About The Author

Preface

Foreword

Part I

1st Dimension: Emotional Wellness

Toxic Traits

Moving Beyond Toxicity

Healing From Past Traumas

Hope

The Growth Process In Overcoming Toxicity And Its Outcome

Part Ii

2nd Dimension: Mental Stability – As Thou Thinketh

Figuring Out The Signs

Mental Health And Sex

Systematic Behaviors And How To Recognize Them

The Growth Process In Achieving Mental Stability And Its Outcome

Part Iii

3rd Dimension: Physical Wellness

Being Physically Active

A Healthy Diet

Relationships And Their Effects On Our Bodies And How Our Bodies Affect Our Relationship

The Outcome Of Feeling Good On The Inside

Part Iv

4th Dimension: Spiritual Wellness

The Domains Of Spirituality

Indicators

Dependence Of Personal Relationships On Spirituality

A Healthy Spiritual Life And Its Outcome

Personal Assessment: Iv

Part V

5th Dimension: Financial Wellness

Financial Dependence And Independence

Effects Of Financial Dependence On Relationship

Planning And Budgeting 101

Financial Independence And Its Outcome

Part Vi

6th Dimension: Sexual Wellness

Recognizing Sexual Health

Letting Go Of The Past

Benefits Of Sex And Communication In A Relationship

The Great Egoic Cape—Learn When To Make It Invisible

Outcomes of Accepting Yourself from Within

PART I

1st Dimension: Emotional Wellness

Toxic Traits

Growth is painful. Change is painful. But, nothing is as painful as staying stuck where you do not belong.

-NR Narayana Murthy

Change is a necessary part of life. Yet, the process of changing is the hardest thing to accomplish. You have to step out of your comfort zone and enter a world that is, in many ways, unknown to you. As humans, the desire to evolve and change is built into our genes. We are made to adapt to changing conditions and environments around us. It happens so slowly that we are oblivious to this change until it has happened. But then again, there are people who are opposed to change. The two main reasons why we are not able to accept change is that we are comfortable with our old way of life and we are fearful of losing control.

We feel uncomfortable changing our old ways because;

Everything seems different; we have to learn it all over again

More work than before

Change can hurt us financially or emotionally

Additionally, the second reason is the fear of losing control because change comes from letting go of old habits and embracing new ones. Most people are scared of this aspect because of the following reasons:

Loss of control - You might temporarily lose control due to uncertainty and lack of knowledge of what the changes bring.

Loss of face – Since we’re social creatures, we tend to pay more attention to our social standing in society.

Ripple effect - Changing one thing can potentially lead to a change in other areas of your life that could ultimately lead to you changing your daily life.

Fear of incompetence. Not everyone is comfortable looking like they don’t know what they’re doing. Change can sometimes be disarming as it pushes one into foreign territory that is often out of our comfort zone.

If you aren’t prepared to tackle these things, they can take over your life and hold you down. All these can make you reluctant to change your current ways and move toward a new future. Change doesn’t always happen on a personal level. It can also occur around us. It can be in the shape of a new app, device, or technology; if it provides a new and different way of doing things, people will find it difficult to change their ways.

Change and