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We all know or have heard about or read about the Wellness concept. For a couple of years, this word has been incorporated into our foods, tourist destinations, Spotify playlists, creams, oils, and much more. You don’t have to know too much to ensure that if we associate this word with the product, destination, or service of our choice, we are choosing a “healthy” and conscious option for ourselves.
Although the concept of wellness is not something new – the oldest records of its origins date back to 3000 BC, with Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine – it was not until the 1950s that this concept achieved notoriety around the world. Today it maintains its full swing by becoming part of the mainstream, representing 5.3 percent of the global economy, with an approximate annual expenditure of 7.3 trillion dollars.
To understand this concept, the Global Wellness Institute has defined Wellness as the continuous search for activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a holistic state of health. That is, on the one hand, “Wellness” is not about a passive or static state, but rather about a continuous search associated with intentions, choices, and actions in which one works to reach a state of health and well-being. And on the other hand, Wellness is always related to holistic health – because it extends beyond physical health and incorporates many different dimensions that should work together in harmony.
Choosing Wellness is conducting an individual search: Everyone is responsible for their own choices, behaviors, and lifestyles; being a lifestyle influenced by the physical, social and cultural environments in which we live.
Wellness is a term constantly confused with health, well-being, and happiness. Although there are elements in common between these, what is related to Wellness differentiates it by not referring to a state of being, such as being happy, having good health, or a sense of well-being; rather it refers to the active process of being mindful and making decisions that lead to an outcome of optimal holistic health and wellness.
Multidimensional Wellness
As we have seen, the Wellness concept is about much more than physical health. Most of the models to define this concept include at least 6 dimensions and some go up to 9 or 12.
- Physical: a healthy body through exercise, good nutrition, sleep, etc.
- Mental: relating to the world through learning, problem-solving, creativity, and others.
- Emotional: being in contact, aware of, in acceptance of, and with the ability to express our feelings and (perceive those of others).
- Spiritual: our search for meaning and purpose in human existence.
- Social: connect, interact and contribute with other people and our communities.
- Environmental: a healthy physical environment free of risks; awareness of the role we play when it comes to improving rather than harming the natural environment in which we live.
- Occupational: your job should be more than a source of income, it should fulfill the purpose of being stimulating and helping you maintain a purpose.
- Financial: control your finances and don’t let them control you.
Starting today, improve your style and quality of life by choosing a life focused on Wellness. Live consciously and harmoniously with yourself and with the planet.
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