WELLNESS: WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?

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WELLNESS:  WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT?


Most of us have heard the word WELLNESS in the media, at our gyms, from our doctors, therapists, psychologists, spiritual leaders, we see it in advertising, we hear about it at our places of work and see it on the products we consume. Wellness is being shouted at us on a daily basis, but what does it all mean?


Many people think of wellness in terms of physical health & wellness or often confuse wellness with physical fitness, in other words – maintaining a healthy body, keeping your body physically fit through regular exercise, eating nutritious food that nourishes and fuels our bodies, and going for regular medical check-ups to prevent disease. This is physical wellness and it is only one of many dimensions or aspects of wellness.


So let’s look at what wellness really means and what it means to our lives...


“Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful life.” DefinitionOfWellness.com


Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University who gives this definition of wellness: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being."


There are many dimensions to wellness and I have identified 10 fundamentals that I feel are key to a more successful and meaningful life - those dimensions of wellness being - Social wellness, Emotional wellness, Physical wellness, Intellectual wellness, Mental wellness, Environmental wellness, Spiritual wellness, Financial wellness, Occupational wellness, Sexual wellness.


Living well and being well means all the aspects and dimensions of our lives need to be striving for a state of wellness.  For example if you are physically ill with flu, you would take the necessary steps in order to become well again and to try and stay well.  Conversely one could have a chronic condition like diabetes or HIV and still be well. 

Another example is, if you are in debt this would mean that you are financially unwell and would have to take the necessary steps to get yourself out of debt and become financially well again.


The point is that wellness &  living well is about management of our lives and of lifes many dimensions.
Wellness and living well is a choice that requires much thought and action initially, but before you know it, it will become a way of living and a state of being.
Wellness & well living is for everyone, regardless of the socio-economic state you may find yourself in. Each month I will be unpacking one of the dimensions of wellness.  I hope you will enjoy the journey and food for thought moments as well as the lessons learned from one another.

Live well!

Marie Joshua
Wellness Practitioner & Psychological Counsellor


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