What is Wellness?
In general, wellness can be defined as being healthy in a multitude of ways, and refers to overall well-being. Wellness is “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward” bettering their lives. Health and wellness are sometimes used interchangeably but their meanings are different. “Health” emphasizes physical, mental, and social well-being, while the focus of “wellness” is to enhance overall well-being. When we affirm wellness as a value in our everyday lives, we can positively impact how we live in a great way.
Although what constitutes wellness can vary based on culture, geography and other circumstances, practicing wellness is important for everyone regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and life circumstance.
Wellness includes:
- Having purpose in life
- Taking part in worthwhile work and play
- Feeling enjoyment in personal relationships
- Experiencing strong physical and mental health
- Being surrounded by safe environments
- Enjoying overall happiness
- Feeling a sense of belonging and connection
Valuing Wellness
Making efforts to care for ourselves in various ways is essential in today’s complex and ever-changing world. As we continue to experience increases in physical and mental strain, health concerns such as fatigue, burnout, and chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity rise in populations. Research shows that 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illnesses and mental health issues, in general, are increasing worldwide. Those who do experience mental health issues experience additional disease burden.
Engaging in daily wellness practice alleviates life stressors as it provides us with protective factors like strengthening our resiliency in times of uncertainty and stress. Having a personal wellness practice can lead to an overall higher quality of life while decreasing risk factors associated with illness and premature death.
Improving overall wellbeing starts with valuing wellness as an important part of your everyday. Because it is a personal experience, one wellness practice may look different than another. The pandemic has shed light on the importance of improving over-all well-being, and practicing wellness everyday can have a profound effect on creating positive improvements in our lives.
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- World Health Organization. (2022, March 2). Covid-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. World Health Organization.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, May 6). Heart disease and mental health disorders. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.