The word “wellness” shows up consistently in our modern culture. Workplace wellness, wellness initiatives and wellness retreats are seen everywhere, and a quick google search for wellness products yields pages of supplements, bath salts, workout gear, aromatherapy and more. But it hasn’t always been this way. It wasn’t until 1961 that Halbert Dunn, known as the father of the wellness movement, coined the term. It took until 1975 for the first wellness center to open and it wasn’t until the 1990’s that wellness truly became a household word. 

Now that the word wellness is so commonplace, it didn't even occur to me to define the term when I began writing wellness blogs back in October 2020. But perhaps that was an oversight. If I am setting out to build awareness and give people tools to create a deeper level of wellness in their lives, perhaps providing a clear definition of the word would be helpful.

Wellness Defined. Merriam-Webster defines wellness as “the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal.” The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” The National Wellness Institute considers wellness “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”

All three of these definitions highlight the fact that wellness isn’t a passive state of being, but an active pursuit or process associated with choices and intentional actions that build toward a healthier state. Wellness evolves. And it evolves based on the daily choices we make and actions we take (or don’t take) on a regular basis. Our capacity for wellness is in our own hands, folks. I think that’s pretty powerful.

While all three of these definitions do a good job of describing wellness, the Global Wellness definition appeals to me most because it includes one notable word: holistic. If our intention is to pursue a state of good health and a more successful existence, we need to look beyond physical health. There are indeed other important factors to consider when we set out to improve our wellness. 

There are many different dimensions to wellness that can be included, but most wellness organizations consider at least six (and up to 12) to be vital to well-being and quality of life. Paying attention to your physical, emotional, social, occupational, spiritual and intellectual health can help you actively move toward your most-fulfilling life, a life that is complete, satisfying and balanced. As the J. Flowers Health Institute puts it, “Wellness is not only being free of disease, illness or stress, but also having a purpose in life, being emotionally healthy, taking an active involvement in your work and leisure time, having joyful relationships and being happy.” 

When we think about our lives in these terms, we get a more complete picture of our overall well-being. As Americans, we often place too much emphasis on the physical dimension. Of course we need to eat our veggies and move our bodies to be physically healthy, but try thinking about your wellness more holistically. How satisfied are you with your intellectual health? Are you continually learning and growing? Think about your level of satisfaction with both the quantity and quality of your social bonds and personal relationships. Do you feel like you contribute to your community? Consider your career. How do all these things affect your well-being? Try to give yourself a balanced view of your overall wellness. Remember, wellness dimensions are measured by our own perceptions and levels of satisfaction. It does not matter what others think. What matters is how satisfied we are and if we are actively pursuing a more fulfilling, happy life in the choices we make everyday. 

As a health and wellness coach, I try to share tools and tips for improved wellness in an approachable, uncomplicated way. I am passionate about helping others make small, sustainable changes that will move them toward a greater sense of well-being. Our overall wellness is largely made up of the sum of choices we make and actions we take regularly. Take a look at yours. Stick with what you’re doing in the areas of your life that are working for you. Create changes where changes are needed. Get out there and actively pursue your dream life, where your physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs are being met. Create a lifestyle that leads to a state of holistic health and wellness. No two of us will have lives that look the same, but we can all work toward that common goal: a life that is healthy, balanced and uniquely yours. Be well.

MICHELE IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE AND SEMI PRIVATE (2-4 PEOPLE) WELLNESS COACHING AND CONSULTATION