Intellectual Wellness or Thinking wellness encourages participating in mentally stimulating and creative activities.  Improving intellectual wellness can happen in and out of the classroom.  It is the ability to think critically, reason objectively, make responsible decisions, and explore new ideas and different points of view.  It also emphasizes lifelong learning and inspires curiosity.

Intellectual Wellness is having a curiosity and strong desire to learn. It is valuing many experiences, staying stimulated with new ideas, and sharing. It is responding to challenges and opportunities to grow, making plans, developing strategies, and solving problems. It is the ability to engage in clear thinking and recall, and to think independently, creatively, and critically.

Intellectual wellness is when you recognize your unique talents to be creative and you seek out ways to use your knowledge and skills. When you foster your intellectual wellness, you participate in activities that cultivate mental growth. Reading, doing challenging puzzles such as crosswords or Sudoku, debating issues with others who have opposing viewpoints, learning a new language or musical instrument, trying a new hobby, or teaching and tutoring others are all ways to maintain or improve your intellectual wellness. When you challenge yourself to learn a new skill, you are building your intellectual health. People who pay attention to their intellectual wellness often find that they have better concentration, improved memory, and better critical thinking skills.

Thinking, or cognitive wellness, is about expanding your knowledge and stimulating your brain by taking part in activities that feed your curiosity and express your creative talents.

The intellectual dimension encourages creative, stimulating mental activities. Our minds need to be continually inspired and exercised just as our bodies do. People who possess a high level of intellectual wellness have an active mind and continue to learn. An intellectually well person uses the resources available to expand one’s knowledge and improve skills. Keeping up-to-date on current events and participating in activities that arouse our minds are also important.

Why it is important

Nurturing your wellness in this area can:

• Teach you strategies to manage day-to-day tasks of life, work and school
• Help you expand your knowledge and skills
• Keep your mind active and stimulated
• Create new learning pathways in the brain