May 17, 2023
Explore the nuanced differences between health and wellness and their impacts on our wellbeing. Learn ways to enhance both in your life, and understand how they work together to foster a healthier and more fulfilling existence.
In today's world, the terms "health" and "wellness" are used ubiquitously. They often seem to be used interchangeably, leading many to believe they are one and the same. However, there are nuanced differences between the two that can influence how we approach our overall wellbeing. Let's delve into these concepts to better understand their implications.
Over the years, the definition of health has significantly shifted. Traditionally, it centred around being free from disease or ailments. Today, the scope of health has broadened considerably, encapsulating a more comprehensive view of our wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides a widely accepted definition of health. According to WHO, "health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Health refers to a state of being, influenced by various health determinants such as socio-economic status, lifestyle behaviours, occupation, education, social connections, and more. While certain health determinants like lifestyle choices are within our control, others like genetics are beyond it.
Wellness, on the other hand, tends to refer to the active pursuit of holistic health through deliberate lifestyle behaviours and choices. It is a more comprehensive concept, covering a person's physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
Your wellness is shaped by your everyday choices. This includes things like the food you consume, the physical activity you engage in, the way you manage stress, and the people you interact with. It's an active and continuous process of making choices towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Health and wellness, while related, carry distinct connotations:
It's important to note that being healthy doesn't necessarily guarantee wellness, and vice versa. For instance, you could be physically healthy and free of chronic health conditions, but not experiencing wellness due to low fitness levels or a lack of motivation. Similarly, you may be free of mental health conditions but feel dissatisfied with your career, negatively impacting your overall wellness.
While distinguishing between health and wellness is informative, it's crucial to understand that both are integral to your overall wellbeing.
Here are some general strategies to infuse more health and wellness into your life:
If you have concerns about your overall health and wellness, it's important to seek advice from a healthcare provider.
If you’d like to improve your metabolic health and wellness, check out Vively. Vively is an Australian metabolic health app that is passionate about good health. It combines continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with support and metabolic health education to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
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Explore the nuanced differences between health and wellness and their impacts on our wellbeing. Learn ways to enhance both in your life, and understand how they work together to foster a healthier and more fulfilling existence.
In today's world, the terms "health" and "wellness" are used ubiquitously. They often seem to be used interchangeably, leading many to believe they are one and the same. However, there are nuanced differences between the two that can influence how we approach our overall wellbeing. Let's delve into these concepts to better understand their implications.
Over the years, the definition of health has significantly shifted. Traditionally, it centred around being free from disease or ailments. Today, the scope of health has broadened considerably, encapsulating a more comprehensive view of our wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) provides a widely accepted definition of health. According to WHO, "health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
Health refers to a state of being, influenced by various health determinants such as socio-economic status, lifestyle behaviours, occupation, education, social connections, and more. While certain health determinants like lifestyle choices are within our control, others like genetics are beyond it.
Wellness, on the other hand, tends to refer to the active pursuit of holistic health through deliberate lifestyle behaviours and choices. It is a more comprehensive concept, covering a person's physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health.
Your wellness is shaped by your everyday choices. This includes things like the food you consume, the physical activity you engage in, the way you manage stress, and the people you interact with. It's an active and continuous process of making choices towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Health and wellness, while related, carry distinct connotations:
It's important to note that being healthy doesn't necessarily guarantee wellness, and vice versa. For instance, you could be physically healthy and free of chronic health conditions, but not experiencing wellness due to low fitness levels or a lack of motivation. Similarly, you may be free of mental health conditions but feel dissatisfied with your career, negatively impacting your overall wellness.
While distinguishing between health and wellness is informative, it's crucial to understand that both are integral to your overall wellbeing.
Here are some general strategies to infuse more health and wellness into your life:
If you have concerns about your overall health and wellness, it's important to seek advice from a healthcare provider.
If you’d like to improve your metabolic health and wellness, check out Vively. Vively is an Australian metabolic health app that is passionate about good health. It combines continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) with support and metabolic health education to help you live a healthy lifestyle.
Get irrefutable data about your diet and lifestyle by using your own glucose data with Vively’s CGM Program. We’re currently offering a 20% discount for our annual plan. Sign up here.
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