Wellness is defined by the Global Wellness Institute as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that contribute to a state of holistic health.

This term is relevant in two ways. To begin, wellness is not a passive or static condition, but rather an “active pursuit” connected with intentions, choices, and behaviors as we strive for optimal health and well-being. Second, wellness is connected to holistic health, which means that it goes beyond physical health and includes many other aspects that should all function together.

Wellness is an individual pursuit—we are responsible for our own decisions, habits, and lifestyles—but it is also heavily impacted by our physical, social, and cultural contexts.

Wellness is sometimes conflated with concepts like health, happiness, and well-being. While they share certain characteristics, it differs in that it does not relate to a static state of being (i.e., being happy, in good health, or a state of well-being). Rather, it is related to an active process of being aware and making choices that result in optimal overall health and well-being.

Wellness in Multiple Dimensions

Physical – Maintaining a healthy body through exercise, nutrition, and sleep, among other things.

Mental – Engaging with the world via learning, problem-solving, creativity, and other means.

Emotional – awareness, acceptance, and expression of feelings, as well as comprehending the sentiments of others

Spirituality – is the pursuit of meaning and a greater purpose in human existence.

Social: meaningfully connecting and engaging with people and our communities.

Environmental: Fostering positive interrelationships between planetary health and human actions, choices, and well-being.

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