What Do We Mean by Wellness? How Our View of Health Is Changing

Wellness is more than just a fad. Here is what we mean when we say ‘wellness’, and how being more conscious of it can significantly improve your experience of life from the short term to the long term.

At a time when so much information is available to us, very little of it makes sense. We are increasingly bombarded with contradictory ideas and labels about wellbeing. Foods, materials, habits, and pretty much every aspect of our daily lives is being scrutinised and called healthy or unhealthy from one moment to the next. On top of that, it’s notable that the number of people suffering from illnesses like depression, anxiety, obesity, and diabetes is growing faster than ever.

During this confusing time, it’s no surprise that we’re focusing less on ‘health’ in a medical sense, and more on what we call ‘wellness’. So much so that there is even an official Global Wellness Day. So what is wellness? What do we mean by that, and how can we achieve it?

What Is ‘Wellness’?

Wellness is commonly defined as the state of being healthy, especially as an actively pursued goal. We know that our lifestyle choices contribute a lot to how we feel, perform, and interact. We also know that being healthy means more than just a lack of injury and illness, but rather the result of a number of factors combined.

Namely, the factors that affect our overall health consist of physical, mental, and social well-being. Some believe that spiritual wellness is also an important factor. Let’s take a closer look at how you can pursue these aspects of wellness, and what the likely benefits are.

Physical

You’ve heard it all so many times before. Exercise regularly, eat nutritious food, drink more water, get enough sleep. But that makes it sound like homework, or a checklist you have to complete in order to be considered healthy. This is where the active pursuit of health makes an appearance. It’s not about following orders. It’s about learning to take care of your body and its needs, so that you feel better in it.

It can be difficult to change old habits, but try to start with the small things, and listen to what your body needs. For example, if you feel that you regularly struggle to get up in the morning, maybe you’re not sleeping enough. You can try to gradually adjust your sleeping pattern until you feel better rested on a daily basis, and you’ll immediately be rewarded for your efforts.

But our physical well-being is of course closely tied to our mental health. Let’s look at another example. Most of us experience stress in physical ways, and having tense back and shoulder muscles is a common symptom. But if you’re kind to your body and you treat yourself to a nice massage, you’ll experience the benefits both physically and mentally. Physically, your muscles will feel energetic and your range of motion will improve, while mentally you’re likely to feel much more relaxed and able to manage everyday tasks.

Mental

Mental health issues are quickly becoming the biggest contributor to medical expenses. So how can we take steps to improve our mental state? The journey to improving your emotional wellbeing is a very personal one, and differs for everyone. That is why research shows us that one-on-one coaching is the most effective way for people to make lifestyle improvements.

Psychology is a very broad and complex field, but you don’t need to be an expert to know yourself. It’s important to take general advice with a pinch of salt, and concentrate more on your personal needs. What are your concerns? What do you struggle with emotionally on a regular basis? Is it stress, anxiety, insecurity, lack of motivation? Give yourself the time and space needed to gain insight into your own mental wellness.

There are many steps you could take to improving your emotional well-being and overall sense of happiness. What works for you could be therapy, medication, a support group, creative outlets, exercise, music, massage, or any combination of tools. The key is to focus on what works for you, and what will help you sustain wellness in the long run.

Social

Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, humans in general are social creatures. Evolutionary theory has studied our tendency to communicate and bond with others for countless years. As a fundamental part of our functioning, the social aspects of our lives tie in closely with our individual physical and mental health. As such, having a ‘healthy’ social life is a major part of overall wellness.

But don’t be intimidated, because a healthy social life for you does not have to look like a healthy social life for someone else. As always, the main thing is to address your concerns, and improve your experience of life.

Whether you function better with a few friends or many, daily or weekly social activities, your wellness is personal, and should be based on your goals. Have you always wished you were brave enough to go to more social events? Maybe that meet-up this weekend would be a good place to start. Do you wish you had a closer relationship with your parents? Perhaps you can invite them over for dinner. Are you worried that you don’t show your friends enough appreciation? Why not pick up the phone and call them for a nice chat.

Wellness Is a Personal Journey

To be honest with you, I used to think that ‘wellness’ was just another word for health. Then when the term started gaining popularity exponentially, I thought it was another fad, like yoga and avocados. Now that I’ve looked into it, I’ve concluded that it’s a concept that everyone can appreciate. Taking steps in your own life to improve your individual happiness. Not only living according to medical advice, but listening to your own body and mind and giving them what they need.

The world is a much brighter place when we feel good. We’re more productive, optimistic, and friendly. We enjoy every moment more, because all these other issues are no longer in the way. By truly caring for our lifestyles, we can let go of nagging thoughts like “eat more vegetables” and “get more sleep”. And I believe that is the beauty of wellness - worrying less, and feeling better!