To start, the main difference between health and wellness is that health is more associated to a state of the person. On the contrary, wellness is more associated to lifestyle – how a person organizes their life, habits, etc.
We say we are healthy when there is no illness or disease that we have. In contrast, wellness refers to a holistic approach to life that considers all aspects of one’s being, including physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.
Let’s dig deeper into the individual meanings of health and wellness to understand the difference between the two better.
What is Health?
Health is when you have good physical and mental condition. It is the biggest resource for running your everyday life successfully.
When we are talking about “healthy people,” we mean people who have a good quality of life and are full of vitality and energy, they can cope with stressful situations, work on their work assignments, and contribute to the community.
What is Wellness?
On the other hand, wellness is a process of making choices that lead to a healthier and fulfilling life.
Wellness is about living life to its fullest potential. It is a conscious process of achieving full potential. It is about achieving balance in all aspects of life: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.
When we are talking about “a person with good well-being,” we mean a person living a life in which they feel fulfilled and satisfied. They have a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. They can manage stress and cope with adversity. They have good physical health and vitality. They have fulfilling relationships.
Why are those two so tightly related?
Health and wellness are so closely related because they are both essential components of a happy and fulfilling life. When we are healthy, we are able to live our lives to the fullest potential. And when we have a sense of well-being, we are more likely to make choices that promote our health.
Both health and wellness are important for a happy and fulfilling life. But the main difference between the two is that health is a state of being, whereas wellness is a state of living.
How do you promote good health and wellness?
There are many options to promote good health and wellness. Some of the most important things you can do are to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and avoid harmful habits like smoking and drinking too much alcohol.
You can also promote good health and wellness by maintaining positive mental health, practicing stress management techniques, and spending time with loved ones and nature.
Final Thoughts
Whatever you do to promote good health and wellness, the most important thing is to live your life with intention and purpose. When you have intentional choices, your decisions are more likely to lead to a happy and fulfilling life.