Wellness meaning
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Understanding the Meaning of Wellness
Holistic and Multidimensional Nature of Wellness
Wellness is a holistic and multidimensional concept that extends beyond the mere absence of disease. It encompasses various dimensions of well-being, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health1 6 7. This comprehensive approach to wellness highlights the interconnectedness of these dimensions and emphasizes the importance of balance and integration in achieving overall well-being5 8.
Wellness as a Continuum
Wellness is often described as a continuum, representing a dynamic and evolving process rather than a static state. This perspective acknowledges that individuals can experience varying levels of wellness at different times, influenced by their lifestyle choices, behaviors, and environmental factors1 4. The concept of wellness as a continuum underscores the idea that individuals can actively participate in enhancing their wellness through intentional actions and decisions4.
Differentiating Wellness from Health and Well-Being
While wellness is frequently used interchangeably with health and well-being, it is important to distinguish between these concepts. Health typically refers to the absence of disease and the presence of physical and mental functioning, whereas wellness encompasses a broader, more positive state of being that includes lifestyle behaviors and personal fulfillment2 3 9. Well-being, on the other hand, often focuses on subjective experiences of life satisfaction and happiness, which are components of wellness but do not capture its full scope6 8.
Key Attributes of Wellness
Several key attributes characterize wellness, setting it apart from related constructs such as health and well-being. These attributes include:
- Holistic Integration: Wellness involves the integration of physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions, recognizing the interrelatedness of these aspects of life1 6 7.
- Lifestyle Behaviors: Wellness is closely linked to lifestyle choices and behaviors, such as nutrition, exercise, and stress management, which contribute to overall well-being3 7 9.
- Process-Oriented: Wellness is viewed as an ongoing process of growth and development, rather than a fixed state1 4.
- Personal Fulfillment: Wellness includes elements of personal fulfillment, such as creativity, altruism, and a sense of accomplishment, which contribute to a meaningful and satisfying life9.
Implications for Health Promotion
The concept of wellness has significant implications for health promotion and public health initiatives. By adopting a wellness-oriented approach, health promotion efforts can focus on enhancing positive aspects of health and well-being, rather than solely preventing or treating disease2 10. This approach encourages individuals to take proactive steps towards achieving optimal functioning and a higher quality of life1 3.
Conclusion
In summary, wellness is a holistic, multidimensional, and process-oriented concept that goes beyond the absence of disease to encompass a positive state of overall well-being. It involves the integration of various dimensions of health, lifestyle behaviors, and personal fulfillment, and is best understood as a dynamic continuum. Recognizing the distinct attributes of wellness can inform more effective health promotion strategies and support individuals in achieving a balanced and fulfilling life.
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Meaning of wellness in caring science based on Rodgers's evolutionary concept analysis.
Wellness is a holistic, multidimensional concept that extends beyond health, with implications for nursing practice and health promotion.
Systematic ReviewWhat is wellness now?
American society, the concept of wellness has become a popular buzzword, promoting health promotion and prevention, and promoting optimal functioning for individuals and society.
Highly CitedTowards an operational understanding of wellness
Wellness is a holistic, multidimensional, lifestyle-focused concept that differs from health, quality of life, and well-being, with distinct identifying features such as holistic, multidimensional, lifestyle-focused, inter-relatedness between person and environment, and unique goal and context.
Highly CitedThe wellness process
The proposed index measures wellness by assessing individuals' completion of minimal tasks appropriate to their developmental stage, promoting active participation in becoming more healthy.
Health and wellness: a conceptual differentiation.
Health and wellness are conceptualized as the integration of social, mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical components, with high-level wellness being the balance of these components.
Highly CitedQuality of life, well-being and wellness: Measuring subjective health for foods and other products
Wellbeing, well-being, and quality of life are important factors in consumer perception of food and other consumer products, with new measures like the WellSenseTM Profile being developed for this purpose.
Highly CitedDimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life.
Wellness encompasses 8 interdependent dimensions, and achieving personal harmony is key to achieving optimal health and well-being.
Highly CitedReviewing the meanings of wellness and well-being and their implications for food choice
Understanding the meanings of wellness and well-being in various disciplines can improve communication across sectors, leading to more consistent public health food and nutrition messages.
Literature ReviewEvaluation of Wellness Determinants and Interventions by Citizen Scientists.
Wellness, which encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being, is a more important topic than disease, and citizen scientists can help evaluate nondrug interventions to improve overall health and well-being.
Highly CitedEvolving Definitions of Mental Illness and Wellness
Mental health and wellness have evolved to focus on positive psychological function, with wellness focusing on one's sense of positive and enthusiastic about life, and illness focusing on the presence of disease.
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