There’s no doubt that health and wellness is multidimensional.

That was one of the findings from research by Cigna, which studied the science of vitality. The study defines vitality as the capacity to pursue life with health, strength, and energy, and finds that vitality is composed of eight interdependent, dynamic dimensions: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, financial, environmental, spiritual, and occupational. A key finding: People with high vitality have an innate ability to be in control of their lives, across these dimensions, through healthy behaviors.

Read on to learn more about the eight dimensions of vitality, and learn about some of the unique drivers and behaviors that influence them.

Physical

Physical health is a key dimension of health and wellness. By caring for their bodies, people can improve their levels of vitality. Healthy behaviors that influence physical health include quality of sleep, physical activity, and nutrition. Our research finds that adults who rate their physical health as excellent or very good have an average vitality score 22 points higher than those who rate their health as fair or poor, and people with higher vitality are more likely to report having healthy habits.

Emotional

Emotional and psychological well-being impacts vitality levels. Adults who report their mental health is excellent or very good have vitality levels an average of 25 points higher than those who say their mental health is fair or poor. Simple actions such as mindfulness or yoga can help drive better emotional health, leading to higher levels of vitality.

Social

Social connectivity also affects a person’s vitality levels. This includes factors such as social skills and the quality of connections among friends, family, and the community. By seeking ways to better connect with those around you, you can drive higher levels of vitality.

Intellectual

Engaging in activities that expand your intellectual boundaries can lead to higher vitality levels. This includes taking actions that nurture your sense of purpose and pursuing new skills, passions, and goals.

Financial

Financial health and the knowledge needed to properly manage finances are intrinsically connected to people’s vitality levels, as financial security can impact the ability to take care of ourselves and free the mind from financial stress.

Environmental

The environment and a physical surroundings can have a significant impact on vitality. This includes your relationship with nature, where you live, and the people around you.

Spiritual

Spiritual well-being affects vitality levels, including your ability to manage everyday stresses, be productive, and contribute at home, work, and in the community.

Occupational

The ability to balance work in a way that promotes health and a sense of personal satisfaction is another key driver of vitality. Our research shows that workers with high vitality are more likely to agree that their employer provides adequate opportunities to care for personal health (71%) and shows focus on wellness in actions and communications (62%).

No matter where you are on your personal journey of vitality, there is no better time than now to work toward the healthiest version of yourself. Health is complex and multidimensional, but vitality gives us a clear roadmap to build, measure, and maintain a healthier, fuller life. Take stock of your own levels of vitality across these eight dimensions and focus your energy on the areas you feel need the most improvement. Start by taking small steps, adopting healthy behaviors into your everyday routine and, above all, taking control of the factors you can influence to live a life filled with health, strength, and energy.