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The Wellness Wheel: Occupational Wellness at Willow Brook

“What do you do?”

“What are some of your hobbies?”

“What do you enjoy doing in your free time?”

These are all questions that we have probably heard over and over again in our lives, especially when we first meet someone. We are drawn to connection, and it can be exciting to learn that someone shares the same or similar interests as our own. We all have various talents, strengths, and occupations. This week we will be examining the Occupational wedge of the Wellness Wheel. When most people hear the word ‘occupational’ the first thing that comes to mind is a profession or job. And that is part of it – but occupation can also be used to describe a pastime or activity. The occupational wedge ties in closely to the intellectual wedge that we looked at last week, where we talked about expanding our minds and promoting personal growth. 

Personal growth can often take the form of an interest or hobby that we decide to pursue further. Perhaps you find that you are talented in playing the piano, so you decide to pursue that further. We have pianos at all three of our Willow Brook campuses, and you can often hear a tune wafting through hallways or dining areas as a resident tickles the keys. Or perhaps you are invested in a good game of billiards and enjoy a challenge against a friend or neighbor. You guessed it – we have billiards at Willow Brook, too! Perhaps you would like to pursue sewing, painting, or a good game of cards or trivia. The options are endless when it comes to what you might choose to occupy your time. At all three of our Willow Brook campuses, we strive to provide the opportunity for our residents to cultivate their interests and grow as an individual as well as a community – many thanks to all of our amazing activity directors for helping make this possible.

If we take a step back and look at the Occupational wedge again, you’ll see that the second item on the list is “learning.” When we’re young, we go to school because we have to; some finding school exciting and love to find out more on any given subject. Others find school laborious and difficult. As we get older, we tend to recognize the importance of learning more. And sometimes we are learning without even realizing it! With the abundance of technology in the world today, learning is at our fingertips – just “google it,” right? At Willow Brook, we are firm believers in continuing education, no matter what age you are. In fact, tomorrow at our Delaware Run campus we will be re-opening our Thursday Talk series (which we had to put on hold due to the surges in COVID). This week we will be learning about Weather Forecasting with Richard Thayer. 

Just as there is an overlap between the Intellectual and the Occupational wedges, there is a correlation between the Occupational slice and the Emotional and Physical Health sections: self-care. And just as there are an assortment of hobbies, self-care can manifest in a variety of ways. For some, it may be taking a solitary walk outside. For others, it may be talking to a friend over a cup of coffee. For others, it may be as simple as getting enough sleep or putting yourself first. In our society, we are constantly on the go—on to the next big task. We have forgotten how to slow down and take time for ourselves. 

The Occupational wedge really is a hodgepodge, pulling elements from, and creating overlaps with, other wedges of the Wellness Wheel. Our individual interests, and how we define the activities that occupy our time, define how this wedge looks for each of us. Our suggestion? Follow your heart. You’re bound to find the perfect thing for you.