What is the Difference Between Health and Wellness
What are health and wellness? Learn about the importance of health and wellness, the difference between
health and wellness, and the dimensions of wellness.
Being Healthy and Happy
People exercise to be healthy. Others choose to drink to one's health. There is always a new diet or health fad
every year in the world of nutrition or exercise. But rarely do we hear of wellness fads or exercising to be well.
It's all about health. Is there a difference between health and wellness?
Health, Wellness, and Risk Factors
Health is defined as the overall mental and physical state of a person; the absence of disease.
This isn't entirely the same thing as wellness. Wellness refers to the state of being in optimal mental and
physical health.
But wellness is more than that. It's about living a life full of personal responsibility and therefore taking
proactive steps for one's entire well-being.
This means that a person living life well controls risk factors that can harm them. Risk factors are different
types of actions or conditions that increase a person's chances for illness or injury.
Let's take a look at just some risk factors. Smoking is a risk factor. It is a risk factor for developing lung cancer
among many other terrible problems. Mountain climbing is a risk factor. It is a risk factor for everything from
broken bones to a swollen brain.
Alcohol is a risk factor. It is a risk factor for developing liver damage. Unprotected sex is a risk factor as well.
People can get sexually transmitted diseases with unprotected sex, including HIV.
Types of Wellness
That being said, just like there are many different types of risk factors, there are actually different dimensions
of wellness. Actually, there are several of them. Let's take a look at what they are.
, Physical
One dimension of wellness is physical. This means we exercise, eat well, practice safe sex, don't do any
dangerous activities like jumping off of buildings, and so on. Physical fitness increases physical wellness. By
being physically fit and well, you are better able to take care of yourself and others, especially in a time of
need. You are also better able to prevent illness and disease.
Intellectual
Another dimension is intellectual: critical thinking, being curious, and always learning new things. Developing
intellectual wellness is critical not only to help a person grow in school and do better at work, but it actually
prevents the onset of disease. It's been shown that people who regularly learn new things and challenge their
minds can stave off many mental health problems.
Emotional
A further dimension is emotional: being confident, having a solid self-esteem, building trust, and being able to
understand another's feelings. A person who is emotionally well is aware of their feelings and is able to
properly cope with them. Emotional wellness also implies a person can deal well with stressful situations.
Interpersonal
Furthermore, there is an interpersonal dimension of wellness: having good communication skills and having
good relationships with family and friends. Interpersonal relationships are very important in order to maintain
a good emotional and physical state of being. We depend on one another to survive and live well.
Spiritual
What are health and wellness? Learn about the importance of health and wellness, the difference between
health and wellness, and the dimensions of wellness.
Being Healthy and Happy
People exercise to be healthy. Others choose to drink to one's health. There is always a new diet or health fad
every year in the world of nutrition or exercise. But rarely do we hear of wellness fads or exercising to be well.
It's all about health. Is there a difference between health and wellness?
Health, Wellness, and Risk Factors
Health is defined as the overall mental and physical state of a person; the absence of disease.
This isn't entirely the same thing as wellness. Wellness refers to the state of being in optimal mental and
physical health.
But wellness is more than that. It's about living a life full of personal responsibility and therefore taking
proactive steps for one's entire well-being.
This means that a person living life well controls risk factors that can harm them. Risk factors are different
types of actions or conditions that increase a person's chances for illness or injury.
Let's take a look at just some risk factors. Smoking is a risk factor. It is a risk factor for developing lung cancer
among many other terrible problems. Mountain climbing is a risk factor. It is a risk factor for everything from
broken bones to a swollen brain.
Alcohol is a risk factor. It is a risk factor for developing liver damage. Unprotected sex is a risk factor as well.
People can get sexually transmitted diseases with unprotected sex, including HIV.
Types of Wellness
That being said, just like there are many different types of risk factors, there are actually different dimensions
of wellness. Actually, there are several of them. Let's take a look at what they are.
, Physical
One dimension of wellness is physical. This means we exercise, eat well, practice safe sex, don't do any
dangerous activities like jumping off of buildings, and so on. Physical fitness increases physical wellness. By
being physically fit and well, you are better able to take care of yourself and others, especially in a time of
need. You are also better able to prevent illness and disease.
Intellectual
Another dimension is intellectual: critical thinking, being curious, and always learning new things. Developing
intellectual wellness is critical not only to help a person grow in school and do better at work, but it actually
prevents the onset of disease. It's been shown that people who regularly learn new things and challenge their
minds can stave off many mental health problems.
Emotional
A further dimension is emotional: being confident, having a solid self-esteem, building trust, and being able to
understand another's feelings. A person who is emotionally well is aware of their feelings and is able to
properly cope with them. Emotional wellness also implies a person can deal well with stressful situations.
Interpersonal
Furthermore, there is an interpersonal dimension of wellness: having good communication skills and having
good relationships with family and friends. Interpersonal relationships are very important in order to maintain
a good emotional and physical state of being. We depend on one another to survive and live well.
Spiritual
