1.1 “I’m Not Feeling Well”
Picture This:
You are sitting in class, half-listening as your instructor reads PowerPoint slides you could have just as easily reviewed on your own.
Minutes drag by when suddenly, a wave of nausea crashes over you.
At first, it is subtle. But with each passing moment, the sensation intensifies. You grimace, clutch your stomach, and lower your head onto the desk in defeat. Your classmate beside you leans over, concern etched on their face, and whispers, “Hey, are you okay?”
Without looking up, you mutter, “I’m not feeling well.”
In that moment, you are referring to your physical health. Nausea, a symptom of what’s likely a passing illness (or maybe that bad burrito you ate earlier), indicates something is wrong in your physical body. With rest, antacids, or another simple remedy, you will likely feel better within hours to days.
A Broader View of Wellness
Everyday language often blurs the lines between wellness and health, leading many to believe they essentially mean the same thing. Most people hear wellness and immediately think of themes related to physical or mental health (e.g., symptoms like aching muscles, a runny nose, fatigue, headaches, or feelings of anxiety) that can be treated with drugs, products, or supplements. This distinction is where confusion often arises. Companies capitalize on this misunderstanding, slapping the term wellness on everything from essential oils to online courses designed to make you a millionaire overnight in an attempt to convince you that their product will meaningfully improve your life.
If wellness, or lack thereof, can refer to something as ordinary as a stomachache and serve as a trendy buzzword for “miracle” products, do we actually understand what it means? This chapter defines wellness, explores its historical roots, and introduces its eight interconnected dimensions.
