The terms health and wellness are frequently used interchangeably, yet they represent fundamentally distinct concepts regarding an individual’s well-being. This confusion often leads people to misunderstand the scope of their personal welfare and the actions required to improve it. Distinguishing between health as a current state and wellness as a continuous pursuit offers a clearer framework for engaging in a more fulfilling life. Understanding this difference is the first step in moving beyond the mere absence of illness toward a goal of optimal living.
Defining Health: A State of Being
Health is traditionally understood as a current condition or state of the human body and mind. The widely recognized definition established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 describes health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This perspective moves beyond the simple biomedical view, which historically equated health only with the lack of sickness or injury. The WHO definition emphasizes that a person’s condition must include positive physical, psychological, and relational elements to be considered truly healthy.
It describes a static snapshot in time, where the individual is currently functioning without obvious medical defects or distress. This state is often assessed through objective measures, such as blood pressure readings, cholesterol levels, or the diagnosis of a psychological disorder. Health in this context is what a person has at a given moment, reflecting the efficiency of their physiological systems and the stability of their mental state. The focus is primarily on treatment or maintenance to prevent a decline from this state of physical and mental integrity.
Defining Wellness: An Active Pursuit
Wellness is defined as an active, conscious process of making choices toward a fulfilling and successful existence. Unlike the static state of health, wellness is a dynamic, continuous journey of growth and change. It emphasizes personal responsibility and the intentional adoption of lifestyle choices that promote vitality across multiple areas of life. This concept recognizes that individuals, even those with chronic conditions, can actively pursue a higher level of well-being by focusing on positive behaviors.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” This definition highlights the self-directed nature of the practice, where the individual is the primary agent in their own continuous improvement. It involves consistent daily practices that enhance the body, mind, and spirit, making it a proactive, forward-looking concept.
Why the Distinction Matters
The distinction between health and wellness is significant because it shifts the focus from a reactive to a proactive approach to one’s well-being. Health often involves responding to a problem, such as treating an illness or managing a chronic condition. In contrast, wellness is about making deliberate choices to prevent problems and enhance the quality of life before any disease manifests. Confusing the two can limit an individual’s engagement to merely treating or maintaining their current physical and mental state.
Embracing the concept of wellness allows a person to focus on thriving, rather than simply surviving. For example, a person with a family history of heart disease may be deemed “healthy” today, but they are pursuing wellness by choosing to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. This proactive behavior is centered on building resilience and optimizing potential, which goes beyond the current medical status. Recognizing wellness as a dynamic, choice-driven concept empowers the individual to take control of their future quality of life, regardless of their present health challenges.
The Holistic Dimensions of Wellness
Wellness is understood through a multidimensional framework that recognizes the interconnectedness of various aspects of life. Models of wellness typically include six to nine dimensions, reflecting the comprehensive nature of this active pursuit. The National Wellness Institute, for instance, promotes a model that includes Emotional, Physical, Intellectual, Occupational, Spiritual, and Social wellness. Other models, such as the one used by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), expand this to eight dimensions by adding Environmental and Financial components.
Key Dimensions of Wellness
Wellness dimensions include:
- Physical wellness, which involves caring for the body through nutrition, activity, and rest to optimize function.
- Emotional wellness, relating to the capacity to manage feelings, cope with stress, and cultivate a positive outlook.
- Intellectual wellness, encouraging the stimulation of the mind through creative and challenging activities.
- Social wellness, focusing on developing supportive relationships and a sense of belonging.
- Occupational wellness, centering on finding personal satisfaction and enrichment through one’s work.
- Financial wellness, involving achieving control and security over one’s economic situation.
- Spiritual wellness, concerning the search for meaning, purpose, and connection to guiding values.