1.5 Related Terms
Many terms are closely connected to wellness and may sometimes overlap in their meaning. However, each has its own distinct focus and definition. To avoid confusion, it’s crucial to understand how these terms differ from wellness.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Health | A state of being free from illness or injury and typically refers to physical and mental functioning. Wellness is a much broader, proactive concept that includes emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. |
| Well-being | One’s overall sense of life satisfaction and measure of an individual’s overall standard of living or quality of life. While this term closely relates to optimal being, it does not include the active process and choices required to pursue wellness. |
| Self-care | Specific actions individuals take to maintain and enhance their health and well-being—such as eating healthily, exercising, and managing stress. Practicing self-care is one of many choices one can implement with the intent of practicing wellness. |
| Happiness | A state of positive emotions and life satisfaction that can contribute to well-being. It does not represent the full scope of wellness’ holistic dimensions. |
| Balance | A state of equilibrium across various aspects of life, including work, relationships, and self-care. Achieving balance is often linked to the choices one makes in the pursuit of high-level wellness. |
| Fitness | Contemporary views recognize that overall fitness includes physical strength, flexibility, endurance, cognitive agility, and emotional resilience. While fitness can be improved via wellness, it is only one part of a multidimensional framework that supports optimal being. |
