Health vs. Wellness

The words “health” and “wellness” are often used interchangeably but are they the same?

Health is defined as the absence of disease; a state of being free from illness or injury, a complete physical, mental and social well-being. When pursuing “health” we tend to react, using a diagnosis or condition as a catalyst.

Wellness is defined as an active pursuit of optimal well-being through lifestyle choices that include not just physical but also mental, emotional, social and spiritual. When we look toward wellness we are being proactive about the choices we make and a conscientious effort to improve our overall well-being.

To make the distinction for yourself you can ask, “Am I healthy?” Or “What do I want to improve?” You can be healthy without actively seeking wellness, but wellness tends to elevate our well-being. An example would be looking to improve sleep hygiene by taking your 7-9 hours of typical sleep and enhancing it thru turning off electronics, not going to bed on a full stomach, doing some progressive muscle relaxation and making a plan for the next day knowing all of this will create deeper sleep that will also improve immunity, boost mood and increase productivity.

For more support call SunShine Functional and Nutrition Counseling with Felicia McIntosh-Will 908.902.9598