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What is the Meaning of Wellness?

The whole world is changing due to the pandemic of 2020. The wellness industry has become more critical than ever before. From overall health to mental health, people are making changes in how they live their lives and aim to better understand the meaning of wellness.

Definition of Wellness

The word “wellness” means being in a state of good health while practicing healthy habits. When someone says the word Wellness to you, it can mean many things. Wellness can mean physical health, mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, and social and environmental health. 

We’ve experienced all of these on different levels this past year. Emotions were high. We were fearful for their lives and the lives of their families. We had to figure out the best way to deal with these valid feelings. Some found peace in-home workouts, and some had virtual therapy sessions. Either way, Wellness became a buzzword during these emotional times in our lives.

History of Wellness

Wellness can be traced back to 3000 B.C. through Spiritual Indian Ayurveda, Chinese medicine, and even Greek and Roman philosophy. Back then, a lot of the focus was on Religion, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism.

The Ancient Chinese developed the first system in medicine. Acupuncture and herbal medicine were used to better the wellness of their people.

In the 19th century, wellness evolved again into alternative medical practices. The focus during this time centered around holistic approaches. Homeopathy and naturopathy were both founded during this era.

The 20th century was when Wellness began to take off. People began to take their health a little more seriously. It was accepted by the academic, corporate, and medical world. Programs were created to promote healthy lifestyles in schools. Corporations developed workplace wellness programs, and the fitness industry was quickly growing.

Wellness in 2020

During the 21st century, chronic disease and obesity were at an all-time high and things began to shift to prevention. People began to adjust lifestyle habits to healthier eating choices, less smoking, and going to the gym. Running marathons, doing boot camps, and CrossFit became popular activites.

The good thing is you can pick and choose the health and wellness lifestyle that suits your current mood or needs. Maybe you feel a good run will lift your spirits today, but a long bath may do it tomorrow.

Online support has never been so important, especially during this pandemic. Look into an online community to support your wellness needs. Sometimes you need someone to listen and support you. Other times, you may need a little push through the last 10 minutes of a workout.

Wellness is a choice. It’s up to you to decide how and why you want to keep yourself in good shape. Whether that’s a mental, physical, or emotional shape, you’re the only one who knows. Listen to your body to make the necessary changes to keep you feeling great and healthy—that’s the true meaning of wellness.