Health is a standard for quality of life. World Health Organization (WHO) provides a proper definition. It is a state of physical, mental and social well-being. Not just the absence of disease. The terms Health and wellness are interchangeably used . Basically, wellness is an approach or a method which helps in leading a healthy life. This is achievable through practising certain lifestyle behaviours. So, the term wellness has a broader context than the term health.
Wellness incorporates the concept of social, spiritual, physical and mental health. It can also mean, a positive or an optimistic state of mind. Moreover, a degree of wellness is even present in a person who is suffering from any illness. The concept of wellness has a holistic meaning. It is about creating a balance. Not improving a single aspect of biological well-being. Rather it is about improving the overall well-being with balance.
There are so many definitions for these terms. But these are not about science only. Rather other important aspects of society are also integrated. Such as educational, financial, ecological etc.
WHO defines 3 models. It includes medical, environmental and holistic model. The medical model is about disease, illness, injury, death. Biological well-being is important in this model. Also, the frequency of disease occurrence is important. So, a person is healthy if an illness has been cured.
The environmental model relates with ecological well-being. Also, how ecosystems affects humans. This model relates the adaptation of a person with surrounding environmental conditions. Such as quality of air, water, weather conditions, green spaces etc.
The holistic model is the wellness model. It is a combination of psychological, mental, environmental, spiritual, emotional states. This is about taking steps to prevent acute illness. So, becoming healthy through positive lifestyle habits.
Wellness is a broad concept and cannot be specified. However, experts describe wellness based on 6 dimensions. It includes; Emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, physical and social. So, as per these dimensions, mental state of health is crucial. Emotional well-being is integrated into health and wellness. Social wellness deals with our ability to perform well in public. It is also about how we deal with social issues and relations. Intellectual wellness is about how broad our thinking is. How open we are to new concepts and ideas. Occupational wellness deals with our work space. How well do we contribute to the society.
Global or public health is a multidisciplinary concept. Also, it integrates the well-being of populations and communities. It integrates international health system approaches. How countries use health plans reflect their wellness status. Furthermore, it deals with both developed and developing countries. Moreover, global health ensures that equity is practiced in health services worldwide. It involves research, practices and techniques beyond sciences.
This concept dates back to 1920s, when Charles Edward Amory defined Public Health. He considered it as a science and art of preventing diseases to prolong life. The WHO is a global watch dog for public and global health. The domain of public health is not limited to an individual rather communities. Also, it is based on preventive rather than curative dealing approach. Hence, wellness is the key component around which global health revolves.
The concept of public health is different from medicine. It has several community centric approaches. It recognises poverty is a key integrated component of health and wellness. Another approach is finance and policy framework. It developed holistic policies to address trans border health issues. Therefore, its domain does not only include medicine practitioners. This idea involves not just humans but the environment as well. Globalisation and economic liberalisation are also approaches of global health. The performance approach involves global health governance parameters.
At individual level, health and wellness needs to be achieved collectively. There are different methods. Such as eating clean food, watching your diet. Exercising and physical activities that promote overall metabolism. Improving sleeping patterns to promote quality sleep. Managing work life and breaks effectively. Monitoring your vitals. Including heart rate, blood pressure etc. Manging activities like screen time. Routine check ups for seasonal diseases. These are a few tips to improve over all well-being.
To achieve wellness means stabilising social, spiritual, emotional and then physical well-being. This require more than just a medical practice. Rather, a higher connection is important with our environment and surrounding energy. This could be made possible through Natural Healing methods.
For spiritual wellness, connection of mind, body and spirit is important. This connection further requires an interconnectedness with a divine power. Because only then one achieves a meaning and purpose in life. Spiritual wellness reduced anxiety and depression. Also, it helps to improve social and moral factors in our life. Moreover, spiritual wellness and mental health are correlated. A human with good mental health, performs well in all sectors of life.
Every person has hidden potentials. Every individual needs to identify that potential. It is possible through self realisation. However, self realisation is impossible without wellness. Therefore, emotional state of mind and intellectual wellness cannot be treated separately.
A connection with nature is important to achieve wellness. Because nature helps to eliminate toxins from our spirit. These toxins are negative thoughts which pollute our mind and spirit. Nature contributes positivity. It helps to destress our mind and improve wellness patterns.
There are so many natural healing methods to achieve wellness. Such as meditation, deep breathing, exercising, walking, cycling in nature etc. There are different kinds of therapies which improve our connection to nature. Such as yoga, Reiki, SAMDA, etc.
Therefore, to achieve health and wellness, lifestyle patterns are very important. For this reason, balance is very important in life. Routines and habits determine our state of health and wellness. Personal interests, goals, daily conversations, relationship are all integrated within health and wellness. Inner peace, satisfaction and contentment can help live a healthy life.
