This is the Spring WorkWell employee wellness newsletter. Past WorkWells have featured all dimensions of wellness. Moving forward, WorkWell newsletters will spotlight a specific dimension.
Intellectual wellness is the desire and ability to expand knowledge and skills through learning, curiosity, creative thinking, innovation and exploration. Intellectual wellness can be developed and maintained through personal and professional learning opportunities, cultural and community involvement, and by practicing hobbies.
This dimension of life fosters curiosity and exploration. Exploration is how we cultivate new ideas and perspectives. Curiosity motivates us to try new things. Benefits of intellectual wellness include better concentration, memory, clearer thinking and sharper decision-making skills. All dimensions of wellness overlap; intellectual wellness includes and influences social, emotional, and mental wellness. Just as with strength training and physical fitness, exercising our minds is vital. “Use it or lose it” applies just as much to our brains as to our bodies. By maintaining intellectual wellness throughout your life, you can counter the impact of stress.
Everyday opportunities to increase and maintain intellectual wellness:
- Reading, writing & learning new things,
- Sleep & reflection,
- Exercise, eating, staying hydrated, and
- Solving puzzles, finding solutions & playing games.
Habits that model, encourage and empower intellectual wellness:
- Allow creativity and imagination to flourish by communicating with an open mindset,
- Establish a personal standard of growth and grit,
- Develop and share goals; track your own and check in on each other’s progress,
- Take ownership and responsibility for learning,
- Meet with your household once or twice a month to talk about goals and schedules,
- View challenges and struggles as opportunities for growth, and
- Cultivate a love for learning and discovery by talking about new things.
Intellectual Wellness Resources:
- Read: The brain health book.
- Creativity tools: Check out the mind & body activity options. Some of these are designed with youth in mind, to be a family activity.
- The above listed resources and many more are available on the Missouri state library website and can be delivered to your worksite. Ask for support from libref@sos.mo.gov for account assistance. Link: https://mostate.libguides.com/reference/books
- Education benefits are available to state employees: log into the Employees Self-Service portal here: https://ess.mo.gov/ then click on benefits to explore the MOST, WeSave and Employee Discount websites to learn more.
- GPS virtual training portal: https://docintranet.state.mo.us/TA.htm
- We now have a training on support resources! Search for the word, "Wellness" to find the "Staff Wellness and Resources" training. It is worth 1 elective training credit.
-
LinkedIn Learning: Provides a vast online library of instructional videos covering a wide range of topics, including: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, project management, communication, creativity, reflection, professional development, and more.
|
