What are Health and Wellness; Sounds Simple Right?
What is wellness?
Health and Wellness are very broad ideas with a multitude of considerations. According to the World Health Organization, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. For some, health has been considered simply to be the absence of disease and pain, but it can be so much more. Beyond simply having no illnesses, true health brings in aspects of life satisfaction, happiness, and living up to ones potential; it can include whatever is important to you. Of course, that state of physical health and being free of disease is a top priority, and any ailments should be addressed by a qualified professional, but once this is achieved, the sky is the limit!
The idea of wellness brings a notion of individual balance into the picture of health. What contributes to a person’s wellness is very personalized and unique, but in general, wellness practices and topics can be broken down into three primary categories. These are Physical, Mental, and Nutritional. All three have effects on each other and must be in balance for a person to feel like they have achieved their own state of optimal wellbeing. Many lifestyle related health conditions can be greatly improved or even cured through leading a healthy lifestyle. Below are some examples of what topics fall under each broad category. You will notice that some topics or ideas fall under more than one category. This demonstrates the idea that our bodies and minds are part of a connected whole and that we can be affected in multiple ways through the choices and actions that make up our lifestyle.
Physical:
Mental:
Nutritional:
Traditional Medical practices like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine for example, hold more of a holistic viewpoint of the human being. This way of thinking about the person as a whole individual with emotions, feelings, energy levels, aspirations, motivation, etc. goes well beyond just a physical absence of disease. A more modern approach can be achieved through a Lifestyle Coach, or Holistic Health Practitioner. Work with your health care provider to have regular screenings and checkups that are right for you. Make a plan with them and involve the services of other professionals to help you get where you want to be. True Health and Wellness can go as far as you want to take it; it’s really up to you where you want to go. Start making a list of your aspirations and begin setting Goals to get you there!
For assistance with your health goals, seek the help of a holistic health practitioner, traditional medical practitioner, lifestyle coach.
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Author: Tony Montijo, BS. Kinesiology, CPT, CES
