Today the concept of wellness is everywhere. It is widely promoted in our personal lives, the workplace and the healthcare space in areas such as chronic disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic it was a term often employed to highlight the importance of self-care while we struggled with lockdown and the unprecedented global health crisis. However, as life has progressively returned to a sense of normalcy, the emphasis on good health and well-being has remained a priority for many. Wellness encompasses both. Essentially, it is the state of good health achieved through the pursuit of wellbeing, self-care, a positive mindset. It implicates nourishing mind, body, and soul.
Definition
The terms health, well-being, and wellness are often used interchangeably. While it’s true that they are interdependent, individually, they are in fact quite different. The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” It defines well-being as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups,” and wellness as “a positive approach to living.”
Similarly, according to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness is “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”. Mental, emotional, and physical wellness are key aspects of health and happiness, implicating fitness, diet, healthy living, stress management, sleeping habits, and the ever-evolving array of well-being concepts.
In short, pursuing wellness means consciously deciding to take a holistic approach to your personal health and well-being.
Origins
Wellness is not a new concept, with ancient holistic approaches dating back to 3000 B.C. In Hindu culture, Ayurveda seeks to create harmony between body, mind and spirit through nutrition, yoga, and meditation. Traditional Chinese medicine relies on practices such as tai chi and herbal medicine to achieve health and well-being.
In fact, throughout history, all cultures – in one way or another – have recognized the importance of a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
In modern times, people are increasingly prioritizing lifestyle and well-being. We live with combination of daily stress, the prevalence of chronic disease, the anxiety generated by local and global events plus the desire to live well as we age. Consequently, our relationship and our approach to health and happiness has changed. As a result, in the 21st century we have seen a greater focus on good mental health, nutrition, sleep habits, and overall lifestyle choices.
Wellness in everyday life
Associated with actively pursuing well-being and good health, wellness is present in every aspect of modern life. Once the emphasis was on looking good. Now we strive to feel good (and then actually end up looking good as a result).
Significant scientific research has been dedicated to the topic, with studies and guidelines published and implemented across the globe. In the workplace it has been proven that supporting employees’ wellness reduces stress and absenteeism, while increasing productivity, job satisfaction and improving mental health and happiness.
Unsurprisingly, the increasing popularity of self-care has given rise to a new, booming consumer industry, with the value of the wellness market estimated at somewhere around $1.5 trillion. Trends continue to grow as people take responsibility for their own wellness.
The 8 components of wellness
There is much discussion around the different aspects that contribute to wellness. There are essentially 3 – mind, body, and soul. However, by breaking these down into the following 8 key components, we can more easily incorporate wellness into every corner of our lives.
Physical – caring for your body, staying fit, eating a balanced diet, getting good sleep.
Emotional – understanding your emotions and those of others, having a positive mindset.
Social – maintaining healthy relationships, belonging to a community.
Intellectual – nourishing your mind, learning new skills.
Spiritual – finding meaning, purpose and value.
Environmental – understanding how the natural environment affects your health.
Occupational – finding satisfaction in work, contributing to a job that is aligned with your values.
Financial – managing your resources, finding stability.
Ultimately, the foundations of wellness can be found in self-awareness, making good choices, forming good habits, and prioritizing balance in our lives.
Starting your own wellness journey
Wellness is a personal journey that involves a fair dose of trial and error. By taking your first steps towards nourishing your mind, body, and spirit, you will learn what works for you and what doesn’t.
Read more on getting started: Wellness is a personal journey
One response to “What is wellness?”
What a delightful read! I’ll be following along now to see new content as it appears. This will be a great resource for Australian travellers – an inside look at what the locals do. And new insights on this universal topic are always interesting; we can all benefit by nourishing the mind!