Seven Tabs for a Balanced Life

In 1956, Psychologist George Miller was interested in the brain’s capacity for actively holding multiple pieces of information and our ability to make judgment calls using those items. Based on his research, the average person can only hold seven (plus or minus two) things at a time in working memory. This insight, known as Miller’s Law, has since become a cornerstone for modern UX designers, highlighting the effectiveness of information when limited to this magical number.

Expanding beyond UX design, Miller’s concept is equally relevant for personal development, particularly when considering the complexity of human existence. In 1976, Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute (NWI), identified Six Dimensions of Wellness to help build a holistic framework for wellness and fulfillment. Environmental health has been added to the list, making it a comprehensive list of seven dimensions that are interconnected and interwoven. The 7D’s include:

1. Intellectual wellness is being curious, open to differing views, and having the ability to challenge everything we think we know. It also means being aware of our power to create.
2. Emotional wellness is acknowledging and sharing feelings of anger, fear, sadness, distress, hope, love, joy, and happiness. It is understanding ourselves and coping with life’s challenges.
3. Social wellness means establishing and nurturing positive relationships with self, family, friends, and co-workers while maintaining healthy boundaries. It is realizing every relationship is impacted by how we feel about ourselves.
4. Environmental wellness is being in tune with how our environment impacts us and taking responsibility for what we’re exposed to in our homes, workplaces, and greater surroundings. It also means being aware of and responsible for how we affect the environment.
5. Occupational wellness is gaining personal fulfillment from a job, career, or volunteer position while maintaining balance.
6. Spiritual wellness is connecting to something greater than ourselves and finding meaning and purpose in life. 
7. Physical wellness means listening to the body as a guide while nourishing and taking care of it for optimal health and functioning.

 A holistic approach to wellness means looking at the whole person and recognizing that each aspect is interconnected and plays a role in overall well-being. For example, taking care of our physical health through exercise and proper nutrition can also positively impact our emotional well-being by reducing stress and improving our mood. Similarly, meaningful work can contribute to a sense of purpose and fulfillment, positively impacting our spiritual wellness. We will never realize our full potential when we ignore the interconnectedness of all things. 

Utilizing Miller’s magical number of seven while adopting and internalizing a holistic mindset, we can keep tabs on our seven interconnected dimensions and create an integrated sense of wellness and fulfillment. By acknowledging the importance of maintaining balance in all aspects of our lives, we can strive to achieve a state of overall well-being. This whole-hearted approach not only benefits individuals and organizations alike but also has the potential to positively impact society as a whole. Wellness–It’s an inside job.