Wellness - Definition, Concepts, Dimensions

Wellness – Definition

The National Institute of Wellness (2021) considers wellness to be “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence”. According to Stoewen (2015) this definition allows a better understanding of wellness, using the following tenets:

·       Wellness is an active process, it is a conscious, self-directed and continuous process of achieving full potentials as individuals.

·        Wellness is directed towards a positive and affirming life

·        Wellness takes into account multiple components, which involves lifestyle, spiritual well-being, mental wellbeing, and the environment.

The World Health Organization defines wellness as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups” (Physiopedia, 2021). According to the WHO, wellness has two cardinal concerns, which are the achievement of individuals’ fullest potentials physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually and economically, and carrying out individuals’ expectation in the family, community, place of worship, workplace and other settings (World Health Organization, 2020). 

It is important to note that while an individual cannot choose the state of their health, they can consciously choose wellness by living their life responsibly and taking proactive steps for their well-being. Health comprises the diagnosis of a disease/illness, predisposition to a disease, and any unexpected injury. Wellness on the other hand is an active process of growth and change to reach ones fullest health and well-being. It is associated with actively pursuing activities, making choices and lifestyle changes, controlling risk factors that can harm a person, focusing on nutrition, having a balanced diet, and following spiritual practices that lead to holistic health (Radhakrishnan, 2021).

The Eight Dimensions of Wellness

Wellness is over just physical health; it's holistic and multidimensional. It comprises various dimensions that include physical, intellectual, emotional, environmental, social, and spiritual wellness.

Image Source: Petkov (2019)

These dimensions will be divided into internal and external for simple comprehension. it's important to notice that every one factors interact and influence one another in any respect times. the inner are: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. They relate to the interior state of the body, mind and spirit. The external are: environmental, social, financial, occupational. They relate to the way that one interact with the external world and the way it influences them (Petkov, 2019).

a) Emotional wellness:

Emotional wellness refers to awareness, sensitivity, and acceptance of feelings and therefore the ability to successfully express and manage one's feelings. Emotional wellness enables people to address stress, maintain satisfying relationships with family and friends, and assume responsibility for his or her actions. someone with emotional wellness can handle stressful situations. someone who is attentive to their own feelings has good self-esteem, and has empathy toward others’ feelings would have emotional wellness (National Institute of Wellness, 2021).

b) Intellectual wellness:

Intellectual wellness emphasizes knowledge, learning, creativity, problem solving, and lifelong interest in learning and new ideas. Mental exercise and engagement through learning, problem-solving, and creativity support intellectual wellness and promote a stronger attitude. people that learn new things and challenge their mind can avoid psychological state problems. When knowledge is acquired, it may be shared and employed in developing one’s potentials to enhance personal growth and make the society better. A sound intellectual functioning helps to enhance an individual’s wellbeing on the, influencing behaviour especially for transforming negative health habits into positive ones (Encyclopedia, 2019).

c) Occupational wellness:

Occupational wellness relates to preparing for and pursuing work that's meaningful, satisfying, and in line with one's interests, aptitudes, and private beliefs. Occupational wellness is that the ability to realize a balance between work and leisure in a very way that promotes health, a way of private satisfaction and is (for most people) financially rewarding. an individual who is doing exactly what they require to try and do in life and is comfortable and content with their work and leisure plans is in an exceedingly healthy state of occupational wellness. Our attitude and skill to effectively accommodate work, school, and career goals greatly affect wellness, performance, interactions with others and overall success (WSU, 2021).

d) Physical Wellness:

Physical wellness increases physical fitness—by being physically fit, an individual would have an enhanced ability to forestall illness and diseases. Exercise stimulates a healthy mind and body. A sedentary lifestyle will be avoided by increasing physical activity in way of life like walking, cycling, walking the dog, taking the steps, and hiking. Having good nutrition, eating a diet, drinking sufficient water (eight glasses per day), and getting adequate sleep promotes a person’s physical wellness.

Physical wellness is quite simply freedom from disease. The physical dimension of wellness concentrates on prevention of illness and encourages exercise, healthy diet, and knowledgeable, appropriate use of the health care system. Physical wellness requires individuals to require personal responsibility for actions and choices that affect their health. samples of healthy choices include wearing a seatbelt in automobiles, wearing a helmet when bicycling, and avoiding tobacco and illegal drugs.

e) Social wellness:

Social wellness is acting harmonized with nature, family, et al within the community. The pursuit of social wellness may involve actions to shield or preserve the environment or contribute to the health and well-being of the community by performing volunteer work. Social circles and support networks are invaluable to the general well-being of an individual. Relating, interacting, and contributing to a community, establishing good interpersonal relations, and maintaining long-term relationships with family and friends keep someone happier and healthier (National Institute of Wellness, 2021).

f) Spiritual wellness:

Spiritual wellness involves finding meaning in life and acting purposefully in an exceedingly manner that's in keeping with one's deeply held values and beliefs. Spiritual wellness doesn't only imply the faith or faith of someone, but the seek for meaning and purpose of human existence. Developing compassion, caring, forgiving, and having a purpose in life help in spiritual wellness. this may be achieved through religion, meditation, volunteer work, spending time in nature, etc (Encyclopedia, 2019).

g) Environmental wellness:

The environment is formed of individuals’ homes, communities, work and nature. Environmental wellness is worried with the interaction of a personal with the environment on local and global levels. Awareness of the role we play in improving our natural environment instead of denigrating it and maintaining and living in an exceedingly healthy physical environment freed from hazards promotes wellness.

Environmental wellness refers to an individual’s sense of safety, comfort, and reference to their physical surroundings. Environmental wellness is enhanced by living more harmonized with the world and community. Wellness during this domain begins within the immediate surroundings.

h) Financial wellness:

A financial wellness definition must do with an individual’s relationship with money. It refers to how secure one’s money is, given all the variables involving an unknown future. Financial wellness involves the method of learning the way to successfully manage financial expenses. A financial wellness definition recognizes that an absence of proper financial planning ends up in increased stress, lower productivity, among other negative consequences (Cassata, 2021).

Conclusion

Wellness is an active lifestyle that incorporates several components that affect health (physical, mental and social wellbeing) on a holistic level. These factors are continuously in play to contribute to an individual’s overall state of health and therefore should be understood and properly addressed in our society today. Creating balance in our lives is an important part of wellness. A balanced life can mean many things, depending on culture, circumstances, resources, and other factors. Balance means making sure we have time to do the things that make us feel happy and fulfilled. This includes working, having fun, spending time with family and friends, participating in the community, being physically active, praying, relaxing and sleeping.

References

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How to Reference this article

Ademola, V. D (2022). Wellness - Definition, Concepts, Dimensions. Retrieved from https://www.youdread.com/2022/05/wellness-definition-concepts-dimensions.html

 

 

 

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