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Stay informed about the next National Wellness Week by signing the Pledge for Wellness and receiving our regular electronic update.

National Wellness Week Activities Map and Ideas for Wellness in 2013

In 2012, National Wellness Week was even bigger than in 2011, with more than 210 events in 36 States and Puerto Rico. The Initiative sought to focus on the Intellectual dimension by harnessing the power of creative expression and encouraged individuals and communities to make time for a creative activity to promote wellness. The Initiative also had an honorary chairperson, Stanice Anderson, who took part in the call to artistic expression. A national author and recovery expert, Stanice released an original poem—“I Can’t Turn Back Now”—about her own journey to wellness through mental health and substance use recovery.

As you plan for your year-round and National Wellness Week 2013 wellness activities, check out the National Wellness Week 2011 and 2012 activities that occurred across the country! Let us know what your activities will be by emailing us at wellness@samhsa.hhs.gov!

To get on the map, email us at wellness@samhsa.hhs.gov with your:

• Name
• Contact number and email for general questions*
• Organization and Web site, if applicable*
• Description of your planned activity*
• Time, date, and location of your planned activity*
• Any other comments or questions about National Wellness Week

Please note: Information marked with an asterisk (*) will be shown on this Web page to help individuals and organizations identify local wellness activities in which they may participate. By providing this information, you are not only helping participants, you're also publicizing your organization!

National Wellness Week 2013 Schedule

Monday, September 16

Overview of Eight Dimensions
Overarching activities about SAMHSA's Wellness Initiative, National Wellness Week, and how the Eight Dimensions help people recover and build resilience, especially when confronted with traumatic, mental health, or substance use challenges.

Tuesday, September 17

Physical Dimension
Activities promoting healthy behaviors, including smoking cessation, physical activity, nutrition, adequate sleep, and safe medication use.

Wednesday, September 18

Intellectual Dimension
Activities encouraging individuals to participate in the Artistic Expression for Wellness national activity, such as writing poetry or developing artwork. Also, messages inspiring creativity and mentally stimulating activities, such as writing poetry or teaching others about one's area of interest.

• Artistic Expression for Wellness national activity

Thursday, September 19

Spiritual Dimension
Activities encouraging incorporating pursuits such as meditation, prayer, or music into one's efforts to enhance recovery.

Friday, September 20

Social and Emotional Dimensions
Activities encouraging individuals to join the Line Dance for Wellness in communities across the country. Dancing is a great stress reliever and also provides social interaction. Individuals can also incorporate the social and emotional dimensions in a variety of other ways, such as volunteering, joining a book club, or simply spending more time with family and friends.

• Line Dance for Wellness national activity

Saturday, September 21

Financial and Occupational Dimensions
Activities promoting tips and support on how to manage one's finances. Encouraging individuals to explore work opportunities that will provide satisfaction in their lives.

• Financial dimension national activity (please check back periodically for more information).

Sunday, September 22

Environmental Dimension
Activities promoting ways individuals can improve healthy environmental surroundings to support their physical and mental health.

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2013 Activities

Information is available for states shown in yellow. Click on the state abbreviation to view activities: