The Concept of Wellness

Introduction[edit | edit source]

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Wellness is clearly a common concept that is often mentioned in the context of health.[1] Although wellness is a multifaceted active process that culminates in a more successful and fulfilling life, health in itself is a state well being that incorporates physical, mental and social factors[2][3]. This topic discusses wellness as it relates to health.

What is Wellness?[edit | edit source]

The National Institute of Wellness considers wellness to be “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence”. This definition allows a better understanding of wellness, using the following tenets[4]:

  • Wellness is an active process, it is a conscious, self-directed and continuous process of achieving full potentials as individuals.
  • Wellness is directed towards a positive and affirming life
  • Wellness takes into account multiple components, which involves lifestyle, spiritual well-being, mental wellbeing, and the environment.

The World Health Organization defines wellness as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups”[5]. According to the WHO, wellness has two cardinal concerns, which are the achievement of individuals’ fullest potentials physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually and economically, and carrying out individuals’ expectation in the family, community, place of worship, workplace and other settings. 

Health Versus Wellness[edit | edit source]

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Health is often used interchangeably as wellness, yet, the two concepts have clearly different origins[6]. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”[3]. This definition of health proposes health as not only being the absence of disease, but encompassing a wider scope of the medical perspective of health[7]. Going further, health has its determinants, which consist of social, physical and economical environments, as well as individual characteristics and behaviors[8]. The achievement of stability and enhancement of health goes beyond a requirement of the environmental factors mentioned earlier or even the systems of care, it requires a combination of best lifestyle choices. It is at this point that we begin to see the overlap between wellness and health.

The WHO in 2008 described a dominant holistic perspective of wellness as that which includes the absence of illness and a state of wellbeing[9]. Before this, wellness was broadly visualized only in terms of the absence of negative elements such as diseases and illness, but with the new perspective, wellness takes into record the positive elements as well[10]. Thus, with wellness, an individual is seen from multiple dimensions, to create a holistic perspective.[10]

In summary, to make distinctions between health and wellbeing may seem daunting, but to simplify the task, we see that health is basically a state of being, while on the other hand, wellness is a state of actively living a lifestyle that helps to attain health[4].

Dimensions of Wellness[edit | edit source]

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As the understanding of wellness began to shift from programs and circumstances that help to alleviate illnesses or increase health risks, wellness dimensions have been brought to limelight and wellness is being related to quality of life and life satisfaction[10]. It is believed that an improvement in one component of wellness may go on to positively affect the whole person. The following are the dimensions of wellness[4]:

Physical Wellness[edit | edit source]

This dimension of wellness is concerned with cardiovascular fitness, strength, flexibility, and so on are involved. Activities that may be carried out to improve physical health involve exercise regimens, diet, close observation of health indices including stressors. It also includes health promotion behaviors and avoiding harmful health behaviors. Furthermore, it contribute to general well-being and health. It includes all aspects of health that have to do with the body's physical structure, such as diet, exercise, weight management, ergonomics, tobacco use, illness, and disease prevention. The chances to improve your physical wellness status  can have a positive effect on your general health and wellness.

Emotional/Psychological Wellness[edit | edit source]

The capacity to recognize and manage one's own emotions falls under the category of emotional wellbeing. Emotional wellbeing is defined by the National Institutes of Health as "the capacity to successfully manage life's pressures and adapt to change and tough circumstances" (NIH, 2018). This is associated with attitudes and believes about self and life. When a self-view is positive, actions, relationships and autonomy are well influenced. Alternatively, when an individual does not feel in control of their lives, stress results causing a negative impact on wellness.[11]

Social Wellness[edit | edit source]

In terms of social wellness, the interaction of the individual with other people, the community and nature is considered. A report of the World Health Organization stated that ‘being included in the society in which one lives is vital to the material, psychosocial, and political empowerment that underpins social wellbeing and equitable health’[5]. Social connections, relationships, and personal expression are all included in the concept of social wellness. The chances to improve your social wellness status  can have a positive effect on your general health and wellness.[11]

Intellectual/Cognitive Wellness[edit | edit source]

This component of wellness refers to the knowledge acquisition and intellectual activity. When knowledge is acquired, it can be shared and used in developing one’s potentials to improve personal growth and make the society better. A sound intellectual functioning helps to improve an individual’s wellbeing on the overall, influencing behavior especially for transforming negative health habits into positive ones. It refers to a person's whole state of health that includes their ability to progress intellectually. The opportunities to improve your intellectual wellness are provided by the resources described in this part. This can have a good effect on your general health and wellness. [11]

Spiritual Wellness[edit | edit source]

There is a continual process of finding meaning and purpose in life which contributes to wellness. This component of wellness may be found alone or within a community. All aspects of wellbeing related to the search for meaning and purpose in life fall under the umbrella of spiritual wellness. Spiritual wellbeing can entail having faith in a higher power, but it is not necessary for it to be connected to a particular religion. The options to improve your spiritual wellness are provided in this part and can have a favorable effect on your general health and wellbeing.[11]

Occupational Wellness[edit | edit source]

This is concerned with being able to gain personal fulfilment and satisfaction from paid or non-paid jobs. It encompasses one’s ability to handle multiple roles and being able to supply skills to meet community’s needs. It includes all aspects of health that have to do with feeling satisfied in your work or career. [11]

Environmental Wellness[edit | edit source]

The environment is made up of individuals’ homes, communities, work and nature. Environmental wellness is concerned with the interaction of an individual with the environment on on local and global levels. All aspects of health that are related to the environment and how the environment may affect human health are included in this dimension. Eco-friendly practices, active engagement in recycling and correct disposal of gadgets and medications, energy, fuel, and water conservation, and the usage of sustainable products are all part of environmental wellness. The options provided in this part are meant to improve your overall health and wellness in relation to protecting the environment and natural resources.[11]

Economic Wellness[edit | edit source]

This helps with the assessment of institutional and public policies in order to make them more sensitive to inequalities in the population which can affect the wellness of individuals.

Cultural Wellness[edit | edit source]

This dimension has a subjective impact on wellness. This is seen as individuals living in democratic and individualistic settings with freedoms of choice and individual needs have higher levels of subjective wellbeing than individuals who live in authoritarian and collectivistic cultures.

Climate Wellness[edit | edit source]

This is an emerging dimension of wellness. It assesses the connection between climatic changes and human well-being. It is a new area of research which tends to study the consequences of climate and ecosystem changes on the wellness of individuals. 

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Wellness is an active lifestyle that incorporates several components that affect health (physical, mental and social wellbeing) on a holistic level. These factors are continuously in play to contribute to an individual’s overall state of health and therefore should be understood and properly addressed.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Flynn S, Jellum L, Howard J, Moser A, Mathis D, Collins C, Henderson S, Watjen C. Concepts of Fitness and Wellness. 2018. Available from: https://oer .galileo. usg.edu/health-textbooks/ Accessed 12 April 2021.
  2. About Wellness. National Wellness Institute. Available from: https://nationalwellness.org/resources/multicultural-competency-in-wellness/ Accessed 15 April 2021.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19–22 1946.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Stoewen DL. Health and wellness. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2015 Sept 56(9):983-984.
  5. 5.0 5.1 World Health Organization. Health Promotion Glossary Update. 2006. Available at https://www.who.int/healthpromotion/about/HPR%20Glossary_New%20Terms.pdf Accessed 12 April 2021.
  6. 1.       Difference Between Health and Wellness. Available from: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-health-and-vs-wellness/ Accessed 12 April 2021.
  7. St Claire L, Watkins CJ, Billinghurst B. Differences in meanings of health: an exploratory study of general practitioners and their patients. Family Practice. 1996 Jan 1;13(6):511-6.
  8. World Health Organization: The determinants of health. Available from: http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/ Accessed 12 April 2021.
  9. World Health Organization. Commission on the Social Determinants of Health. Closing the gap in a generation-health equity through action on the social determinants of health, 2008. Available at www.who.int/social_determinants/thecommission/finalreport/en/ Accessed 12 April 2021.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 World Health Organization. Health Promotion Glossary Update. 2006. Available at https://www.who.int/healthpromotion/about/HPR%20Glossary_New%20Terms.pdf Accessed 12 April 2021.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Pueblo. 8 Dimensions of Well-Being. Available from: https://www.csupueblo.edu/health-education-and-prevention/8-dimension-of-well-being.html