“Wellness.” It’s a word you’re likely familiar with and may use in your vocabulary from time to time. But what is wellness, exactly? When you think about it, wellness may feel more like a vague concept than something you pursue with certainty. However, here at Defining Wellness Centers, we believe the wellness journey is critical to achieving good health and well-being, both in life and in the addiction recovery process. It’s in our name, after all. Let’s explore the definition of wellness, the various components that make up the dimensions of wellness in your everyday life, and why it matters for your holistic health.
The Definition of Wellness
The Global Wellness Institute describes the definition of wellness as “the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.” In other words, it’s more than just the mere absence of disease. Wellness involves the consistent, ongoing work of striving for healthy well-being across the various aspects of your life. It also means you can function well in your current environment. According to the Wellness Alliance, this definition of wellness is based on four primary concepts:
- Wellness is the conscious, self-directed, and evolving process of achieving your full potential
- Wellness encompasses lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment
- Wellness is positive, affirming, and contributes to living a long and healthy life
- Wellness is multicultural and holistic, involving multiple dimensions
It’s a Wellness Journey, Not a Destination
It may be easy to confuse the meaning of wellness with the meaning of health; however, the two definitions are different, yet complementary. In terms of wellness vs. health, health is defined by the World Health Organization as a “state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Considering the definition of wellness mentioned earlier, health, in short, is a state of well-being, and wellness is a state of living a healthy lifestyle, shares The Canadian Veterinary Journal. The purpose of wellness is to help you achieve the ideal definition of health.
Unlike health, which is defined by a static level of being at a given time, wellness is a continual task. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary even describes wellness as an “actively sought goal.” You don’t just arrive and remain at a level of wellness. Instead, it’s a wellness journey that you’re always taking yourself. Proactive health and wellness are associated with your own intentions, choices, and actions. It’s an individual pursuit, shares the Global Wellness Institute, but it can also be heavily influenced by your physical, social, and cultural environment.
The Key Dimensions of Wellness
While wellness is active, intentional, and ongoing, it’s also multidimensional. There are multiple components of wellness. The definition of wellness is not just about physical wellness, emotional wellness, or spiritual wellness individually. Rather, true wellness encompasses several dimensions of wellness that help you achieve and maintain the well-rounded, healthy lifestyle you need to thrive. The main dimensions of wellness often include:
Physical Wellness
Of all the types of wellness, physical wellness may be the most obvious and understood. Physical wellness involves recognizing your need for physical activity, nutrition, and sleeping well, explains Northwestern University. At the same time, it’s about working to prevent illness and injury, as well as managing chronic health issues.
Taking care of your physical health is a key aspect of self-care in addiction recovery. When you’re actively pursuing your physical wellness, you’re making lifestyle choices that support your biological health (the health of your organs, senses, or bodily functions). That means maintaining a healthy diet, engaging in consistent physical activity, and managing stress well. Choosing to maintain physical wellness may also mean educating yourself on how to properly take care of your body, as well as making regular visits to your primary care physician or other medical professionals for routine checkups.
Emotional Wellness
Emotional wellness is all about being in tune with and managing your emotions and feelings. You’re actively working to know and accept your emotions, express them in a healthy way, and cope with them well when challenges arise. On the other hand, pursuing emotional wellness also means building and maintaining healthy relationships, as well as seeking to understand feelings of others around you. Some of the primary aspects of emotional wellness include:
- Self-awareness
- Emotional regulation
- Resilience
- Positive relationships
- Mindfulness
- Self-care
- Having a sense of purpose and meaning
- Seeking support
SOURCE: University of North Dakota
Mental Health and Wellness
Similar to emotional wellness, caring for your mental health and wellness involves developing emotional resilience and stability, learning to maintain healthy relationships, and striving to be a functional member of society. At the same time, mental wellness is about seeking a deeper, more meaningful human experience that leads to your flourishing, shares the Global Wellness Institute. This often involves pursuing mental wellness activities that help you think and learn, solve problems, foster creativity, and connect with others, such as:
- Painting or other artistic activities
- Dancing
- Volunteering
- Spending time with friends or family
- Working toward fitness goals
- Pursuing a new hobby
Social Wellness
According to the University of California, Berkeley, research has shown that people with strong social networks live longer, healthier lives. That’s why it’s important to cultivate social wellness, which allows you to meaningfully connect and spend time with others in community. Healthy, nurturing relationships not only give you a sense of belonging; they also provide genuine connection and invaluable support through life. With social wellness, you learn both how to communicate well and trust others, as well as develop greater self-esteem and emotional resilience.
Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual wellness helps you find meaning and purpose in something bigger than yourself. In many ways, it allows you to live out your values, beliefs, and purpose in a fulfilling way. Spiritual wellness typically involves some aspect of religious faith, ethics, principles, and morals. By cultivating healthy spirituality, you’re more able to find a sense of inner calm and peace throughout the highs and lows of life. Some signs of spiritual wellness may include:
- Developing a purpose in life
- Spending reflective time alone
- Having a clear sense of right and wrong
- Knowing why you believe what you believe
- Caring for the welfare of others
- Having compassion for others and practicing forgiveness
SOURCE: University of New Hampshire
Environmental Wellness
Our wellness is very much impacted by the world around us, which is why it’s important to pursue environmental wellness as a part of your overall wellness journey. According to Harvard University, environmental wellness requires adopting a lifestyle that prioritizes the relationship you have with others, your community, and the environment as a whole. When you have healthy environmental wellness, you realize you have a responsibility to care for planet earth and seek sustainable lifestyle practices. Some ways you can cultivate environmental wellness include:
- Recycling
- Biking or walking
- Reusing water bottles or shopping bags
- Choosing locally-sourced food from farmers’ markets
- Donating unwanted clothing
- Unplugging devices
Why Wellness is Important for Holistic Health
You simply can’t achieve holistic health — a healthy mind, body, and spirit — without pursuing wellness. With wellness, you learn both the importance of intentionally caring for your overall health and well-being (before problems arise), as well as addressing the various types of wellness that help you thrive. This means you as a whole person are cared for well, putting you in a better position to flourish and stay healthy long-term. Instead of just prioritizing your physical or social health while ignoring other areas, wellness equips you to remain well-balanced so you can truly achieve the holistic health you deserve. And this same approach is just as powerful in the addiction recovery process, too.
Wellness and Recovery: Holistic Treatment at Defining Wellness Centers
When you’re wanting to overcome an addiction, as well as any co-occurring disorders like PTSD or depression, pursuing wellness in the process can be of great benefit. After all, addressing the whole person in holistic treatment for addiction can make all the difference in achieving long-term sobriety. Recovery isn’t just about addressing physical symptoms or changing your behaviors. It also means embracing a new, more balanced, and healthier way of life. And that’s our philosophy for addiction recovery and wellness here at Defining Wellness Centers in Mississippi.
When you partner with our addiction treatment programs, the goal is not just getting sober, but also achieving personal transformation. This involves a holistic approach that emphasizes the mind body spirit connection in the recovery process. Our full spectrum of care encompasses trauma-informed treatment, evidence-based practices, and innovative, experiential therapeutic techniques. What results is true recovery and wellness, empowering you to reclaim your life and proactively stay healthy on your own. To learn more about our treatment programs, contact us today.
