What does wellness mean to you?
Like most of us, you likely hear the term wellness used frequently in social media, advertising, marketing, casual conversations, and the daily news. Perhaps you see the term used to advertise a new supplement, fitness program, diet, smoothie recipe, or brand of yoga apparel, all of which seem to equate wellness to vanity or striving to achieve a “new you.” Maybe your doctor loosely references the term when discussing health goals or medical interventions, or you see promotions for luxurious “wellness”-oriented lifestyle retreats.
In contrast to these common uses (or misuses) of the term, wellness is a rich and sophisticated concept much more meaningful than common parlance conveys. Understanding the true meaning of wellness can empower us to take a conscious, active, and empowered stance toward achieving higher individual and collective states of optimal well-being.
As a therapist, yoga teacher, and health and wellness coach, wellness has been a unifying theme in my personal and professional life. Whether helping therapy clients reduce anxiety and depression, partnering with coaching clients to pursue health-related goals, researching complementary modalities, developing integrative healthcare initiatives, or guiding yoga students to reduce stress and cultivate well-being, I am intensely curious about how people pursue wellness. (In fact, wellness is the subject of my Ph.D. dissertation research. As the saying goes, “research is me-search”!)
So the question is: what is wellness?
First, wellness is an active process, not a destination. When Dr. Halbert Dunn, the “father” of the wellness movement, coined the term “high-level wellness,” he described it as “an integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable" (Dunn, 1959, p. 447). He believed that wellness is not simply the absence of disease; instead, it involves the active pursuit of activities, such as physical activity, healthy eating, and stress management, that help to prevent illness and promote overall well-being. Wellness involves moving toward a state of optimal health and well-being that supports the achievement of full potential and the pursuit of purpose and meaning. Importantly, we can orient toward wellness, no matter our current state of health. The “illness-wellness continuum” encapsulates this notion (Travis & Ryan, 2004). While the medical model aims to treat disease and move us toward a “neutral” point of health, wellness propels us to move past neutral toward thriving. Even if we struggle with an acute or chronic disease, we may lean toward well-being, making active choices that support healing and flourishing.
Second, wellness is multidimensional and holistic. Dr. Bill Hettler, co-founder of the National Wellness Institute, developed the first wellness model in 1976 called the Six Dimensions of Wellness. According to this model, the interconnected dimensions of whole-person wellness include physical, emotional, social, spiritual, occupational, and intellectual (National Wellness Institute, 2023). Many holistic wellness models can now be found online with a simple search for “wheel of wellness,” yet they all capture the same essence: wellness comprises interconnected aspects of holistic wellbeing. Physical, emotional, social, spiritual, occupational, and intellectual dimensions all function synergistically. For example, when we focus on increasing physical activity, we often enjoy reduced stress, improved mood, and better sleep quality. Similarly, if we focus on cultivating better relationships, our careers, emotional lives, and physical well-being may also blossom. Conversely, if we struggle to find meaning, connection, and purpose, we will likely feel less inspired to optimize our self-care, and other dimensions may suffer.
Third, wellness is highly individualized. While we all benefit from cultivating the interconnected dimensions of wellness, how we address these dimensions is very personal. You may love hiking or biking, while I prefer yoga and walking. You may choose a whole-food omnivorous diet, while I lean toward plant-based. So much of my work with clients is helping them define the ingredients that contribute to their wellness so that they can take active steps toward achieving personalized well-being in a self-determined and sustainable way.
Finally, wellness is socially-influenced. While seeking to optimize self-care and well-being, we must recognize that the behaviors and habits of those around us dramatically impact our health. We do not exist in a bubble; social, political, cultural, and environmental factors measurably influence well-being. Unfortunately, discrimination and oppression are powerful, negative social determinants of health. We must embrace the World Health Organization’s assertion that: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition” (World Health Organization, 2023). People living in “food deserts” will struggle to thrive regardless of their intent to eat well. Employees facing unsustainable working conditions cannot overcome burnout with mindfulness or stress reduction alone; external conditions must also improve. A bio-psycho-social-spiritual systems perspective implies that we all have shared responsibility for our collective well-being. (This is one reason why I am happy to contribute to efforts such as the Woodstock Wellness Collective!)
In summary, wellness is a rich and multidimensional concept with meaning that extends far beyond today’s common use of the term to sell products and services. Wellness summons us to take active steps toward optimizing our well-being, regardless of our current state of health. Wellness involves addressing the multiple interconnected aspects of holistic health while recognizing that the dimensions function synergistically. Wellness is highly individual and personal, yet it is also socially influenced. Through self-reflection, experimentation, and exploration, we can learn what we love and what helps us thrive. We may also discover how we consciously or unconsciously influence others’ opportunities for achieving their highest potential. Personal and collective wellness are intimately connected. Let’s choose to thrive together.
References:
Dunn, H. L. (1959). What High-Level Wellness Means. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 50(11), 447–457.
National Wellness Institute. (2023). NWI’s Six Dimensions of Wellness. https://nationalwellness.org/resources/six-dimensions-of-wellness/
Travis, J. W., & Ryan, R. S. (2004). Wellness Workbook: How to achieve enduring health and vitality. Random House Digital, Inc.
World Health Organization. (2023). Constitution. https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
This post was originally published with the Woodstock Wellness Collective.
