What Is Occupational Wellness? Occupational wellness is all about achieving a balance between work and leisure, and doing so in a manner that is both emotionally and financially rewarding. It is about finding a career that is meaningful to you, and doing work that you find motivating and exciting! Feeling good at the end of the day about what you have accomplished is a tell-tale sign that you are on your way to achieving occupational wellness!
Did you know…
- The average American works 34.4 hours per week, but for populations between the ages of 25 and 54, the average workweek is 40.5 hours! Because we spend so much time at work, it is important to find a job that provides us with a sense of purpose and financial stability.
- Finding one’s work meaningful is associated with greater life satisfaction and improved overall well-being.
Check out these awesome ways to foster occupational wellness:
1. Finding a career that you love! Reflecting on your hobbies and values is a great way to get you started on the path to discovering your dream job!
2.Avoid overworking yourself. Even too much of a good thing can be bad, so finding a balance between work and fun is a great way to foster occupational wellness!
3.Talking to a career counselor! If you are unsure about career pathways, speaking to a professional can help you narrow down your options.
4.Exploring while you are young! Do side hustles, work in a restaurant, assist at a hospital, etc. to find what field of work motivates you to get up each day.
What the students had to say:
To gather opinions and information for this article, we collected responses regarding occupational wellness from local high school seniors. A majority of the students had dream jobs, ranging from being a nurse to being a truck driver! Having a passion for the job and obtaining a high pay rate are the biggest non-negotiable for these students. Similarly, when asked about what they hope to get out of work and life, a majority stated that they wish to be happy with their career and achieve financial wealth for themselves and their families. 7 out of 10 students would not change their dream jobs even if money wasn’t a factor, while 2 of the student’s career change was closely related to their dream job. One student desired to travel the world.
Contributors: Health & Wellness 2nd PD
Resources:
https://www.unomaha.edu/student-life/presidents-wellness-committee/occupational-wellness-tips.php#:~:text=Occupational%20wellness%20is%20the%20ability,for%20most%20people)%20financially%20rewarding.
https://www.utoledo.edu/offices/rocketwellness/docs/Tips%20on%20Improving%20Occupational%20Wellness.pdf