The Wellness Wheel is a tool used by psychologists to show how various areas of life contribute to overall well-being. It includes eight key dimensions: emotional, physical, social, spiritual, occupational, environmental, intellectual and financial health. Each month, we will explore a different element and its importance.
In the broadest sense, occupational wellness encompasses doing work that is meaningful, engaging and aligned with one’s personal values. If you consider the total amount of time most people spend working over their lifetime, it becomes understandable how it is a key pillar of an individual’s overall well-being.
When this area is nurtured, it supports increased motivation and productivity, greater satisfaction and engagement in one’s job and life, reduced stress and burnout, a sense of purpose and fulfillment and a more balanced life.
You can invest in your occupational wellness by:
- Finding purpose: Identifying your personal values, interests and strengths and pursuing work in alignment with them
- Skill building: Enrolling in courses, certifications or workshops to upskill and stay current with trends in your field
- Engaging in work-life balance: Setting healthy boundaries around work hours, using vacation days as needed and practicing time management
- Relationship building: Building positive, respectful workplace relationships and supporting an inclusive workplace culture
- Job crafting: Advocating for responsibilities that are both challenging and fulfilling
- Optimizing your environment: Organizing your workspace for comfort and productivity
- Practicing stress management: Utilizing techniques such as mindfulness or deep breathing
At Pacific Clinics, we support this dimension of wellness by offering Client Career Services in our Greater Angeles area, Ventura County and Fresno County, helping individuals achieve their career goals, build financial independence and lead fulfilling lives.
Every component of this program, which integrates vocational services with behavioral health treatment, helps vulnerable members of our community foster occupational wellness by providing:
- Support in eliminating barriers to securing a job, such as transportation and housing
- Personalized career planning and vocational goal development
- Resume writing and mock interview preparation
- Job search assistance and help with applications
- Ongoing job retention and maintenance support
- Financial literacy and planning
- Personalized, understandable and accurate information about Social Security, Medicaid, and other government entitlements
- Support helping clients select a job that suits their interests
“Work has the power to enrich lives, offering fulfillment, purpose, and the chance to grow beyond ourselves,” said Program Director Mark Morales. “At [Pacific Clinics’] Client Career Services, we believe every individual deserves that same opportunity — to discover meaningful employment that not only supports their life but elevates it.”
We view employment not just as a job, but as a powerful form of mental health intervention. For more information about accessing Client Career Services, contact us at ClientCareerServices@pacificclinics.org or at 626-219-9233.
