What the difference between health and wellness
| Aspect | Health | Wellness |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Refers to the overall state of physical, mental, and social well-being, encompassing the absence of disease or illness. | Encompasses a holistic and proactive approach to achieving optimal well-being in various dimensions of life. |
| Focus | Primarily emphasizes the absence of illness or disease and the presence of good physical and mental health. | Focuses on achieving a balanced and fulfilling life by actively pursuing behaviors and habits that promote well-being. |
| Scope | Addresses both physical and mental health, with an emphasis on disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and overall health status. | Goes beyond physical and mental health to include dimensions such as emotional, social, environmental, intellectual, occupational, and spiritual well-being. |
| Reactive vs. Proactive | Often involves a reactive approach, such as seeking medical care when ill or addressing health issues as they arise. | Involves a proactive approach, with an emphasis on preventive measures, healthy lifestyle choices, and self-care to maintain and improve overall well-being. |
| Absence of Disease | Health often implies the absence of disease or illness, with a focus on diagnosing and treating medical conditions. | Wellness emphasizes that well-being extends beyond the absence of disease and includes factors like vitality, life satisfaction, and personal fulfillment. |
| Physical Fitness | Physical fitness is a component of health and relates to physical well-being, including factors like cardiovascular fitness, strength, and flexibility. | Physical fitness is considered a component of wellness, but wellness also encompasses mental and emotional fitness, as well as other dimensions of well-being. |
| Medical Care | Health often involves interactions with healthcare professionals and institutions for diagnosis, treatment, and management of health conditions. | Wellness may involve healthcare interactions, but it also includes complementary therapies, alternative medicine, and holistic approaches to well-being. |
| Holistic Approach | Health primarily addresses physical and mental aspects of well-being, but it may not consider other dimensions of life. | Wellness takes a holistic view, recognizing that well-being is influenced by multiple interconnected dimensions and aspects of life. |
| Lifestyle Choices | Health may involve recommendations for lifestyle changes to manage or prevent diseases, such as dietary modifications or medication. | Wellness encourages lifestyle choices that promote physical, emotional, and social well-being, with an emphasis on personal growth and self-improvement. |
| Quality of Life | Health contributes to an individual's quality of life by addressing health issues and medical conditions that can impact daily functioning. | Wellness aims to enhance overall quality of life by fostering a sense of purpose, happiness, and fulfillment in various life domains. |
| Balance and Harmony | Health may focus on restoring balance when health issues arise but may not explicitly emphasize balance in all life dimensions. | Wellness emphasizes the importance of balance and harmony across physical, emotional, social, and other dimensions to achieve optimal well-being. |