Health and wellness - Price: Rs. 0

Health and wellness are terms that are often interchanged, but their origins and meanings are different (3). As established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 1940s, health is referred to as, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (4).” Although this definition has been criticized for being overly inclusive and unattainable, especially as it relates to the word “complete,” very importantly, it broadens the medical definition of health beyond the simple absence of disease (5). According to the WHO, the primary determinants of health include the social, economic, and physical environments, and the person’s individual characteristics and behaviors (6). The maintenance and improvement of health, accordingly, depends not only on external or environmental factors (including the systems of care), but also on the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the person (7). In fact, it depends on wellness.

You may be surprised by the definition of wellness! Although variously defined, depending on context, according to the National Wellness Institute, wellness is considered, “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence” (8). This definition is based on 3 tenets:

Wellness is considered a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential.
Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment.
Wellness is positive and affirming.