What Is the Definition of Wellness?

We hear so much about the importance of exercise and the many wonderful benefits it can bring us but there are still some basic health facts that we often take for granted. Healthy food and healthy habits are essential to maintaining our bodies at peak performance. A few short minutes each day spent doing simple aerobic exercises can go a long way to keeping your heart strong, improving circulation, and boosting immunity. We hear so much about the many great benefits of a balanced diet but few of us take the time to consider the nutritional content of what we eat. Our health depends on many things and a balanced diet is the cornerstone upon which all other aspects of health and well being depend. This article will give you some basic information to keep in mind as you plan meals to keep your diet and exercise regimen going strong.

Good overall health, according to the World Health Organization (WHS), is “a condition of total body health including physical, mental, social and economic aspects”. A variety of different definitions have been used for what is meant by total health but essentially it boils down to an overall level of health. What this means is how well you are doing in relation to your body’s major systems. The categories that WHS uses for this purpose are Physical Health, Mental Health, and Behavioral Health. A good attitude and positive outlook are vital components to maintaining good health. This is true for adults and children alike.

One of the major distinctions between the two categories is the presence or absence of mental illness. The presence of mental illness can be viewed as a setback when compared to a situation where physical health is not at fault. There are several types of mental illnesses. An adult who suffers from depression may be deemed mentally ill if she or he has a history of depression or if symptoms of depression appear regularly and for prolonged periods of time. A person with bipolar disorder is another example of someone who can be labeled as having mental health issues.

The third definition of Well-Being is the absence of disease or other impairment. This could include a person who does not suffer from any type of physical limitation. This would also include those with muscular handicaps or those with developmental disabilities that limit their ability to participate in normal activities. It can also encompass those who undergo surgery or who have had cardiac surgery. The effect of these limitations can be as varied as they are severe. For this reason, it is important to note that the absence of any type of limitation is not necessarily equivalent to well-being.

There are numerous factors associated with the cause of poor health or poor wellness. Some of the most common include obesity, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, smoking, stress, alcohol abuse and other related diseases. Many of these are controllable. Others are not. Poor well-being can be influenced by such things as genetics, race, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural norms.

Being healthy requires having good nutrition, regular exercise and eliminating some common risk factors. In the case of the absence or reduced presence of any of these risk factors, the person is not considered to be well. If you are diagnosed with a particular disease or illness, do not lose heart. You still have some control. Follow your doctor’s advice and stick to a healthy diet and regular exercise and you will be back to good health.