Wellness is a word that is commonly loosely used. It is used erroneously interchangeably with health, even by professionals. While health is the state of being free from illness or injury, wellness is the quality or state of being healthy in body and mind, especially as a result of deliberate effort.
Wellness emphasizes preventing illness and prolonging life. It is different to healthcare, which emphasizes treating diseases. Wellness is a conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving full potential.
Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, and its feeling is unique to the individual. Achieving wellness requires deliberate effort, self-discipline and commitment. It involves an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.
Wellness is also a dynamic process of change and growth “…. a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmities”.
