Articles by Dr. Whitney
 

What is “Health and Wellness”?
Articles by Dr. Whitney >> Newsletters

The term “health and wellness” has become a phrase whose meaning has been lost in its overuse. The words “Health” and “Wellness” are often used interchangeably, but they are far from synonymous.

Health is a person’s physical state at any given time. Wellness is an attitude, an action. Wellness is not just the absence of disease, it is adopting a lifestyle that allows our body to function optimally. Those who fail to treat their car well and provide adequate maintenance, will need a trade-in sooner than later. A car treated properly may last more than 200,000 miles. We can’t trade in our bodies!

Most plan for their financial future, understanding that failure to do so will result in unhealthy finances in our old age. Few plan for their future health because they feel invincible or don’t recognize that what they do will make a difference.

A 45-year-old may seemingly be in good health, but make poor lifestyle choices. This person is a set up for poor health as they age. Another may have imperfect health, but practice good wellness. They will likely age more gracefully than the former.

There are 11 points to a complete wellness plan:

• attain your optimal weight
• healthy eating
• adequate physical activity and exercise
• tobacco cessation
• eliminate excessive alcohol consumption
• limit caffeine
• adequate sleep
• proper medical screenings
• stress management
• attend to emotional health
• growing spiritual health

Notice that there is a difference between attaining optimal weight and healthy eating. Many are genetically fortunate with their weight, but have horrible eating habits.

Also, although proper medical screenings are very important, medical screenings is only 1 of the 11 points of wellness. Most physicals only address these and very little time is spent on developing a personalized wellness plan.

Finally, don’t gloss over the last three points because for many, these are the biggest needs. Stress is the external pressures we all face. Our internal human response to the external stressors determines our emotional health. A poor emotional health produces a huge physical stress on our bodies that is difficult to measure. I believe it is affecting us more than we realize. Spiritual health is the overriding power over stress and challenged emotional health. 80% of published studies find that religious commitment has a positive effect on health across an array of illnesses. It even appears to increase overall longevity.

Change is never easy. Determining which wellness-focused changes need to be made, which to prioritize, and how to practically implement them into your busy life can be an overwhelming task. They will be addressed at your yearly wellness evaluation.

Last changed: Jun 02 2009 at 4:45 PM