Health is a condition where disease and infirmity have been completely eliminated. Different definitions have been applied for different purposes over the years. For instance, today we talk about health as the absence of sickness and disease and we refer to it as well-Being. When you look at history, however, health and well-being are connected. A person that is healthy is happy and looks forward to life while those with poor health or infirmity tend to be morbidly interested in life and death.

Wellness encompasses all aspects of life, which includes, but is not limited to, physical health. Mental health comprises your thoughts, feelings and behavior in regard to your physical and mental health. The two concepts are often used interchangeably and one may refer to the absence of disease or infirmity while the other pertains to well being. Many people believe that wellness encompasses both physical and mental health, however, this is not always the case.

For some time the definition of good health was associated with religious belief, e.g., virtue, holiness or virtue. Other definitions are society’s impact on our health. This definition includes a person’s ability to lead a productive life, which can be achieved through appropriate care and attention and good hygiene. These three factors are important in defining the absence of disease and illness. In addition, this definition also encompasses the avoidance of exposure to diseases and sickness and the practice of preventive measures. When we speak of prevention, this usually refers to the practice of taking steps to avoid exposure to disease and sickness.

The third definition maintains that healthy living is the process of maintaining the minimum levels of risk factors associated with diseases. It also includes taking necessary steps to reduce the incidence of these risk factors. Thus, an adequate level of education, clean water, adequate shelter and health care can be taken as risk factors. When we use the word healthy, it usually means well balanced and is in keeping with what we consider good health.

The fourth definition maintains that wellness must be determined by an individual’s attitude and sense of social responsibility. This means being committed to caring for the world that sustains you and your family. On the other hand, this definition does not necessarily mean self-nurturing. Rather, it refers to the state of good health, where the physical body, mind and spirit are in good shape. St John’s Ambrosio’s holistic approach considers the four basic aspects of healthy living, which are physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Holistic health approach also includes elements like proper diet, exercise, behavior modification, sleep, and stress management, as well as a positive attitude.

We have already defined three aspects of well-being, which include physical health, mental health and emotional health. Wellness encompasses all these aspects in one. Now, you should know what all these aspects are for, and how they affect your daily life. From this, you will be able to identify how you can enhance your overall quality of life. Now that you know what wellness means, you should know what you need to do to achieve it in your life.