Health Vs. Wellness

WELLNESS vs. HEALTH
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According to World Health Organization (1948), health “is a state of total physical, social and mental wellbeing, and not necessarily the absence of diseases but also the ability to bounce back and recover from them.” Wellness is the ability to be aware of healthy living and making choices of living a healthy life (Baker, 2006). It is an active process which results in a successful and longer existence. It may also be defined as a conscious, evolving and self-directed process of realizing full potential. It is multidimensional, namely: social, physical, intellectual, mental, spiritual and environmental health. To achieve a sense of well-being, one should be in harmony with these dimensions (Smith, 2013).
Wellness is a lifestyle that encompasses gaining balance in all the different dimensions. It is also an approach of healthcare interested with strengthening good balance and improving the immune system in the body. On the other hand, health is a state of mental and physical wellbeing, and it is more concerned with the treatment of diseases. Unlike wellness, health is an end or a goal that a person can achieve (Smith, 2013). Wellness is a dynamic process that continues for a lifetime.
The four lenses describe what is equitable, sustainable, and drives a healthy behavior in accordance with wellbeing. Since wellness is a dynamic process, it will guide me to understand the different dimensions and link it to a way of living (Travis & Ryan, 1998).

Moreover, wellness will help me appreciate the impacts of living a healthy lifestyle and be able to provide informed professional advice to clients in future.
Understanding and adapting wellness dimensions will have various impact on my professional career. First, it will reduce health care costs. Living a healthy life will prevent diseases and thus avoiding extra cost. Second, workplace wellness will enhance my morale and satisfaction as an employee. Thus, I use it to boost my overall performance and productivity. I will also ensure wellness in order to reduce improve my health and to reduce absenteeism from work.
Reference
Baker, D. W. (2006). The meaning and the measure of health literacy. Journal of general internal medicine, 21(8), 878-883.
Smith, S., (2013). Difference between health and wellness. Retrieved from https://premierrapport.com/what-is-the-difference-between-health-and-wellness/
Travis, J. W., & Ryan, R. S. (1988). The wellness workbook. Ten Speed Press.
World Health Organization, (1948). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/