When you hear the word “wellness,” what comes to mind? Most likely, images of yogis doing downward dog in pristine nature, people sipping smoothies, or green juice cleanses come to mind. Maybe you have also heard about the ketogenic diet and its supposed ability to help you improve your wellness by increasing your “wellness.” Wellness is a term used increasingly today to describe a holistic approach to maintaining good physical and mental health. It is not just about being physically fit and eating right or dropping pounds. Rather, it is an intentional process of intentionally cultivating habits and routines that support our long-term health. In this article, we’ll explore how wellness differs from conventional ideas of health, the different dimensions of wellness, and how you can adopt a more holistic approach to your own wellbeing.
What is “health”?
Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition may sound familiar because it has been around for decades. Is this definition still relevant today? After all, our understanding of health and wellness has evolved considerably since the 1950s. While the definition of health has stayed the same, our understanding of why this is important to us has changed significantly. At one point, health was associated with a robust immune system and the absence of disease. Diseases were treated with medication and lifestyle choices were not very relevant. Fast-forward a few decades, and we now know that health is much more than the absence of disease.
What is “wellness”?
Today, health is associated with more than just the absence of disease. It is also about our ability to experience life to the fullest and maintain a high quality of life throughout our lifetimes. In other words, health is not just about not getting sick. It also includes thriving and living a fulfilling life. What does it mean to be well? Similar to health, well-being is associated with a robust immune system and absence of disease, but it also includes being happy and experiencing quality relationships. It includes having the energy and time to pursue hobbies and passions. With this broader definition, it becomes evident that we cannot treat health conditions with medication alone. Rather, we need to make changes to our lifestyles to support long-term health.
Why is wellness important?
Wellness is a concept that can help us navigate a more holistic approach to maintaining good physical and mental health. It is not just about being physically fit and eating right or dropping pounds. Rather, it is an intentional process of intentionally cultivating habits and routines that support our long-term health. We all want to live long and healthy lives. With the average life expectancy steadily rising, we are all becoming longevity athletes who need to take care of our bodies with every passing year. We also need to take care of our minds, cultivating habits that allow us to think clearly, stay positive, and manage stress.
Health and Wellness Examples
Health is about your ability to function normally in your day-to-day life and the absence of disease. For example, you have good health if you can walk up a flight of stairs without getting breathless, eat a balanced diet, and recover from a cold within a reasonable amount of time. Wellness is different. It goes beyond the absence of disease and includes a positive mental and emotional state. Wellness also includes having a strong social support network. Wellness is also about having a healthy relationship with your body. For example, you are well if you feel confident in your body and treat it well by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
Conclusion
Complete physical, mental, and social well-being is the definition of health, not the absence of ailment or infirmity. Mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being are all components of wellness. By producing health-promoting habits and routines, we can cultivate wellness. There are many aspects to health, including mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being. We often focus on the absence of disease and physical fitness when we discuss health, but being healthy encompasses more than this. A strong mental and emotional condition, a healthy relationship with your body, and a strong social support system are all necessary for health, which is why we want to introduce you to Breakzen app, which helps you locate nearby wellness professionals.
Matias Amaya is the CEO and founder of Breakzen, a wellness community that connects people with nearby professionals. Matias created Breakzen in 2022 after struggling to find good wellness professionals near his home in New York. He knew there had to be a better way for people to find the wellness services they need, so he created the Breakzen app, which is now available across the United States.