What is Wellness?
Definitions of Wellness
Wellness is a measure of a person’s mental and physical health, characterized as a person’s overall health and well-being.
Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life.
Wellness is more than being free from illness; it is a dynamic process of change and growth.
“…a state of complete physical, mental, and
social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
– The World Health Organization
“a conscious, self-directed and evolving
process of achieving full potential.”
– The National Wellness Institute
While health generally refers only to a person’s physical–and sometimes psychological–health, wellness takes into account a number of factors that can affect health, and include a broad spectrum such as stable relationships, exercise, nutrition, access to clean water, and the safety and security of a person’s living situation.
Why Wellness Matters
Maintaining an optimal level of wellness is Key to living a better quality of life.
Everything we do and every emotion we feel relates to our well-being and our well-being directly affects our actions and emotions. It’s all a circle.
It is important for everyone to achieve optimal wellness in order to reduce stress and reduce the risk of illness.
Wellness is an active ongoing process of becoming aware of and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life.
Wellness is an increasingly popular term in alternative and integrative medicine.
Holistic and natural practitioners believe that medical doctors generally only treat disease, while holistic medicine addresses the entirety of a person’s lifestyle.
Mainstream medicine is increasingly incorporating elements of holistic medicine. ( Integrative Medicine )
Medical doctors, for example, might refer a patient to an acupuncturist or chiropractor, and frequently make recommendations about the ways in which lifestyle can improve overall health.
While health generally refers only to a person’s physical–and sometimes psychological–health, wellness assessments take into account a number of other factors which may affect health, such as stable relationships, exercise, nutrition, access to clean water, and the safety and security of a person’s living situation.
The mind and body are not discrete, separate entities, and physical health can affect emotional well-being.
Dimensions of Wellness
There are a number dimensions of wellness of which a few are listed below .
Each dimension of wellness is interrelated with one another. Each dimension is vital in the pursuit of optimum health. One can reach an optimal level of wellness by understanding how to maintain each of the dimensions of wellness.
Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness relates to understanding your feelings and coping effectively with stress. It is important to pay attention to self-care, relaxation, stress reduction.
Environmental Wellness
Environmental wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings. This encourages us to live in harmony with the Earth by taking action to protect it. Environmental well-being promotes interaction with nature and your personal environment
Financial Wellness
Financial Wellness involves the process of learning how to manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives and not having enough. Financial stress is repeatedly found to be a common source of stress and anxiety.
Intellectual Wellness
Intellectual wellness involves having an open mind when you encounter new ideas and continuing to expand your knowledge. It encourages active participation in scholastic, cultural and community activities.
Occupational Wellness
Occupational wellness is about enjoying your occupational endeavors. This dimension of wellness encourages personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life through work.
Physical Wellness
Physical wellness relates to maintaining a healthy body and seeking care when needed. Physical health is attained through exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and paying attention to the signs of illness and seeking help when in need.
Social Wellness
Social wellness helps you perform social roles effectively and create a support network. This allows you to encouraging relationships with peers as well as intimate relationships with romantic partners.
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness allows you to develop values that help you seek meaning and purpose. Spirituality can be represented through relaxation or religion. Being spiritually well allows one to cope with issues that come up in everyday life.
Author: Dr Bruce J Mac Murray (DBA)
Director Health.co.za
