Expanding on the WHO
definition of health and the commonly understood idea of well-being, the
concept of wellness has been defined by the National Wellness Association as
"an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more
successful existence." Wellness encompasses how people feel about various
aspects of their lives. Six interrelated aspects of human life are commonly
known to comprise wellness:
- Emotional wellness refers to
awareness, sensitivity, and acceptance of feelings and the ability to
successfully express and manage one's feelings. Emotional wellness enables
people to cope with stress, maintain satisfying relationships with family
and friends, and assume responsibility for their actions.
- Intellectual wellness emphasizes
knowledge, learning, creativity, problem solving, and lifelong interest in
learning and new ideas.
- Occupational wellness relates to
preparing for and pursuing work that is meaningful, satisfying, and
consistent with one's interests, aptitudes, and personal beliefs.
- Physical wellness is more than
simply freedom from disease. The physical dimension of wellness
concentrates on prevention of illness and encourages exercise, healthy
diet, and knowledgeable, appropriate use of the health care system.
Physical wellness requires individuals to take personal responsibility for
actions and choices that affect their health. Examples of healthy choices
include wearing a seatbelt in auto-mobiles wearing a helmet when
bicycling, and avoiding tobacco and illegal drugs.
- Social wellness is acting in
harmony with nature, family, and others in the community. The pursuit of
social wellness may involve actions to protect or preserve the environment
or contribute to the health and well-being of the community by performing
volunteer work.
- Spiritual wellness involves
finding meaning in life and acting purposefully in a manner that is
consistent with one's deeply held values and beliefs.