What is the difference between health, wellness, and well-being?
What is the difference between health, wellness, and well-being? Is there a difference? Or are they just three different ways of describing the same thing?
This discussion has been a recent topic in my mindbodygreen health coaching course; and while there is no single agreed-upon answer, or even specific definition for each term, I want to share with you some general expert agreements. Then I’d love to hear what you think.
Health
According to the Oxford dictionary, health is “the state of being free from illness or injury.” Merriam-Webster defines health as “the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit, especially freedom from physical disease or pain.” According to these traditional definitions, someone who is ill or injured does not have health; and while health may be viewed as a spectrum, anyone on the lower end of that spectrum cannot be considered healthy.
Wellness
Merriam-Webster defines wellness as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.” Again, there is a focus on being healthy, but with the added component of actively seeking good health. Michael Arloski, author of Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change, goes in a slightly different direction, moving away from the requirement for good health and focusing more closely on the way a person lives life. “Wellness is the experience of living life with high levels of awareness, conscious choice, self-acceptance, interconnectedness, love, meaning and purpose.” According to this definition, a person could be in a disease state and still achieve wellness.
Well-being
Merriam-Webster defines well-being as “the state of being happy, healthy, or prosperous.” Since the conjunction “or” is used, well-being is not dependent on being physically healthy. You can have a disease or injury and still be in a state of well-being. I like that idea; however, I struggle with the notion that, according to this definition, you could be ill and unhappy and still technically be in a state of well-being, as long as you are prosperous.
For me, mindbodygreen’s summary comes closer to hitting the mark: “Well-being includes the presence of positive emotions and moods, the absence of negative emotions, satisfaction with life, fulfillment and positive functioning.” I do take issue with requiring the absence of negative emotions, as all emotions are legitimate parts of life. I lean more toward not getting stuck in negative emotions.
The mindbodygreen Wheel of Well-Being includes the following aspects of well-being, which I quite like:
- Mental
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Emotional
- Environmental
- Financial
Looking at a whole-person view of well-being like this can help us organize our thoughts and reflect on which areas are going well and on which areas we would like to focus for growth.
In summary
It would appear that the concepts of health, wellness, and well-being do differ, but also overlap…and that each exists on a continuum. There are varying degrees of health, wellness, and well-being. It’s not all or nothing, and each is dynamic and ever evolving. With that in mind, perhaps the most important thing is not where you fall on the continuum, but in which direction you are facing.
Your turn
- Do any of these definitions fit in with your perception of health, wellness, or well-being?
- What do you think about the mindbodygreen aspects of well-being? Are you surprised by any of them?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
Sources
- The MBG Well-Being Model with Dayna Y. Jondal, M.A., NBC-HWC and Darshi Shah, M.S., M.A., NBC-HWC
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary mobile application
Hi Christie – I love the slight differences here and how they cover different aspects of our whole being. I think of it as mind, body, and soul – and I’ve been thinking lately how well I’m feeling on all those levels – I’m not sure if it’s just a sweet spot and things will change again, but I’m reminding myself to appreciate it and to be in the “now” of this lovely time.
Yes, Leanne, enjoy that feeling! Learning to appreciate your sense of well-being in all areas…whether it’s a temporary sweet-spot or something you’ve gotten good at over time…fits in perfectly with your WOTY, equanimity.
Hi Christie, I think of health as relating more to the body and physical health. I think of wellness as a bit more than that – perhaps also incorporating mental health as well. Wellbeing to me is a combination of all – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual so that we have a general feeling of ‘wellbeing’. That’s just my take on it though! Thanks so much for linking up with #WWWhimsy this week. Take care and have an awesome week! xo
Your distinctions resonate with me as well, Min. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject…and for hosting #WWWhimsy.
It’s tricky making claims that relate to all or nothing…you aren’t! I know like the weather my health has its great days and not so great ones.
I like that I can self-manage as best as I can through those days that are not “wonderful”.
Denyse
#TeamWWWhimsy
I agree, Denyse. For one thing our physical health…or lack thereof…is only one aspect of who we are. And even our health is on a spectrum and ever-changing back and forth. I like the comparison to the weather. Wishing you pleasant weather…in both senses…this week!
This is a really interesting post Christie. It’s a great topic with quite a lot to think about. I tend to align myself with mindbodygreens thoughts. I love their Wheel of Wellbeing.
I like the Wheel of Well-being too, Jen. It’s a good reminder that well-being is about more than just mental and physical health, but encompasses all aspects of our lives.
Hi Christie, I tend to think of well-being as all-encompassing, but constantly evolving. Health, finances, relationships, and spirituality affect our state of mind and satisfaction with life. Recognizing cues and maintaining balance keeps me in the right headspace. I also have no problem allowing a ‘down day’ when I need one. Those times help me regain perspective.
I appreciate your perspective, Suzanne, and the reminder to look at all aspects of well-being as intertwining and requiring balance. Accepting down days as part of life actually allows me to get through those times more quickly and with some level of grace. If I look at them as something “bad” or that I should try to avoid, the original negative emotion is only compounded with shame.
I think of Wellness and Well Being as similar. Although health is important, I like to think if a person has a disease or chronic illness they can still find a sense of well being. I do know if I’m in pain or sick it’s a lot harder to feel happy. Interesting post sis.
Yes, Cindy, I agree that your physical health does contribute to your well-being, but is just one piece of it. After feeling not so good recently, I definitely appreciate the return of my health.
Hi Christie, this is very interesting and I agree with the various comments on the slight differences and overlaps. It’s always good when something makes us think isn’t it? #Teamwwwhimsy
I’m glad you found the discussion interesting and through-provoking, Deb. I did too and looked forward to sharing it with my blogging buddies.
Clearly there is overlap between all three, but the one thing I like about discussions around mental health is the way it is now described as something that everyone has, it just depends where on the spectrum between good and bed they are at any one time. It allows for fluidity and change. I’d hope to see the same spectrum being used with physical health in the not too distant future.
Yes, Debs, I couldn’t agree more. It makes sense to look at health…mental and physical…as a spectrum, and one which allows for fluidity.
The definitions make sense to me. I do agree that there is an overlap among all three definitions. I like the six aspects about how to be a balanced person. I say this while envisioning Trivial Pursuit wedges being put into their places in your round token thingie so that you can go on to win.
I love the Trivial Pursuit visual. The Wheel of Well-being does look something like that…and having fulfillment in all six areas equals a big win!
I think of well-being as being the mental and emotional side of health and wellness. I think you can have a sense of well-being and still not be terribly healthy. And likewise, I think you can be healthy but not have a positive sense of well-being. Does that make sense? I think we can control both but some things are beyond our control, too. I am so frustrated that just when I was ‘bragging’ that this chapter of life was so pleasant and things were going so well, early in PC’s retirement, we had come through his cancer, etc. and life was good. And sure as those words were out of my mouth…bam, I broke my foot. My fault because I climbed over a stadium seat – which I had done successfully just a few minutes before – but this has affected my wellness, health and well-being. And PC’s well-being, too, in that he has to help me so much. Grrrr. This too shall pass, I know. But it was not in my vision for our fall.
I agree, Leslie, if we can create a little space between our physical and emotional health, it can be helpful in not going in a downward spiral when we get ill or injured. There are things in life that we just can’t control. The Universe has a way of throwing us curve balls just when we think we have everything under control. I hope that your foot heals quickly, and that in the meantime, you and PC can find peace of mind. XO