Intellectual Wellness: How Healthy is Yours & Why It's Important

When we hear the term “wellness,” many of us frequently think about our physical fitness, emotional well-being, and mental health. You might imagine a day filled with various self-care activities, like journaling, doing a quick workout or hike, or basking in a warm bath with Epsom salts and candles.

However, there’s a realm of wellness that is frequently overlooked; Intellectual wellness is essential to feed our curiosity, sharpen our minds, and enrich our lives. This is the area where we experience vast personal growth through learning and stimulating the mind. 

And sure, it definitely contains aspects of emotional and mental well-being. In fact, all areas of wellness intersect. But let’s steer the focus towards this often underestimated wellness area. 

From the books we read to the conversations we engage in, every aspect of our intellectual engagement plays a crucial role in shaping our worldview, decision-making skills, and overall life satisfaction.

So, what should you know about intellectual wellness?

How can you enhance yours?

What is Intellectual Wellness?

Dr. Seuss says, “You’ll never be bored when you try something new; there’s really no limit to what you can do.”

And most wellness experts will argue this is all too true. Intellectual wellness is an important factor for overall health. 

Sometimes called intellectual health, intellectual wellness embodies:

• Creative hobbies
• Academic success
• Motivation to learn new things
• Problem-solving
• Asking for help to learn more
• Creating a self-identity

In other words, it isn’t necessarily about just learning academically. Rather, intellectual wellness extends beyond the classroom. It’s your ability to be open to new ideas, your critical thinking skills, and even your creativity.

In turn, this can help propel your personal growth and understanding of the world, as well as help you interact with those around you. 

What Are Good Intellectual Goals?

Intellectual goals don’t have to be anything over-the-top. In fact, they can be quite simple, such as:

• Read one new book a month.
• Learn a new language.
• Master a new skill.
• Improve your creative abilities through writing and art.
• Enhance memory and concentration.
• Take a class about something you're interested in.
• Gain knowledge on a particular subject.

Often, your exact goal comes down to your interests and hobbies.

• What do you love to do?
• What are you interested in?

These can be good starting points.

For instance, if you’re intrigued by human psychology, look up some of the classics or highly rated books about the subject; then, commit to reading said books within a set timeframe.

How Do I Improve My Intellectual Wellness?

By now, you probably have some idea of how to do this. But if you’re drawing blanks, here are a few other ways to improve your intellectual wellness:

1. Look for Novel Experiences.

These opportunities can arise in various ways, such as a new career path or learning a new skill. Most of us see different hobbies we would love to try but never do. Well, here is your sign. Register for that cooking or pottery class! You might just feel that much better for it.

2. Play a Board Game or Do a Puzzle.

This stimulates your mind in so many ways like strategy, critical thinking, and getting creative. Some good ones include Catan, Monopoly, and Risk. 

On top of this, puzzles, like word searches, crosswords, and sudoku also stimulate your mind and intellectual thinking capabilities. And yes, Tetris also falls into this realm!

3. Critique, Then Improve Your Time Management.

Learning to manage stress is a key piece of intellectual wellness. And a lot of stress can be saved by managing our time better. Using a calendar and setting reminders are wonderful ways to start. In fact, consider this a rule for yourself: If it’s not scheduled, it’s probably not going to happen.

This even includes scheduling time for yourself or learning a new skill!

Related Article: Time Management 101: Save Time, Waste Less Time, & Find More Time

4. Listen to a Podcast.

For those that spend tons of time driving or walking, this can be a great way to multitask. Choose a topic and find a trending podcast, such as learning about history, business, and more. This can be a wonderful way to pass the time on those long drives while also enhancing your intellectual health.

5. Discover Your Purpose.

Finding your “why” for what motivates you can help you grow in infinite ways. To do this, think about what you love doing. Now, think about why. Write down what you like about it and why you do it; this can help you dig deeper and uncover what truly motivates you to get things done and grow. 

Related Article: Filling the Void: How to Address and Overcome Feeling Empty

Spend Time Expanding Your Intellectual Wellness

And remember, it doesn’t have to be academic. Even knitting or getting creative in some shape or form can offer tons of benefits for our minds (and intellectual wellness).

So, where can you make improvements?

What will help propel you forward in growth and happiness when it comes to your intellectual wellness?

Read Next: The 5 Important Areas of Wellness You Need to Balance

Updated from Dec 26, 2023

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh