Occupational Wellness
Occupational wellness is the fourth in our series on holistic wellness. Occupational wellness is what we do either for a living, in retirement, or in preparation for employment, such as school. Exceptional occupational wellness is achieved when there is a “fit” between the individual and what is being done.
I have done many things in my life. Some of them have been directly related to my current role as an educator, small business owner, parent, spouse, and parental caregiver. I matriculated through university as a student until I had a Ph.D., a terminal degree to teach in the field of Hospitality, for example.
In other roles, the correlation is less obvious. For example, growing up on a farm made me a problem solver, and watching my parents operate a farm prepared me, in part, to be a small business owner myself; however, only in part as there is so much more I need to learn.
This leads us to what constitutes occupational wellness. It is contentment, or as Shawn Achor describes, “happiness” with the current situation. It is that fit.
In most of my roles over the past 40 years, I have had a good fit and good occupational health. I was content. However, in some roles, there were challenges that necessitated change. I became unhappy and needed to restore balance.
The power of positive thinking is a real thing. In many instances, wellness is as much a state of mind as it is the ideal job characteristics. Willingness and ability to see the good in the situation results in greater occupational wellness. It follows the same mantra: “You are only as old as you think you are.” If you don’t see yourself as old, you are healthier than when you view yourself as old. In a similar vein when I see the job as good, despite some drawbacks, the job tends to be good. When I focus on the drawbacks it becomes unhealthy. Moreover, when I see the good, am happy, and am occupationally well I am also more productive and better at said occupation.
The takeaway is this. Live in the present for greater occupational health. Focus on what you control, what you influence, and leave everything else for another day. If, and when, the “fit” is no longer good and occupational wellness suffers it may be time to reassess the situation; however, realize that there will always be aspects of an occupation that are healthy and those where it is important to see the whole, overlook the small, and correct a little to succeed in living an occupationally healthy life.
“Assess your occupational health today. Take stock of the things that are bringing you joy in your job and the things that could improve. Is this occupation a good ‘fit’? Are you content?”
