Wellness for Bergen County
CHIP Wellness Initiative
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wellness Partners
Partners are essential in promoting a vision of holistic wellness throughout Bergen County, and come from diverse backgrounds. Partners are organizations and businesses, schools, municipalities and places of worship that offer services and community events who sign a Pledge Agreement to promote one or more dimensions of wellness, foster collaboration and referral among community partners to do so, and strive to address core community health needs as outlined in the 2013 Bergen County Community Health Needs Assessment and Improvement Plan. Through their participation in the Wellness for Bergen County Initiative, partners receive ongoing technical assistance and support in building an organizational culture of wellness for their organization.
CHIP COMMUNITY HEALTH PRIORITY AREAS AND PRIORITY POPULATIONS, 2020-2022
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.
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
mklein@co.bergen.nj.us
(201) 634-2693
