"Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind, and spirit – the realization that everything we do, think, feel, and believe has an effect on our state of well-being." - Greg Anderson.
Perspectives of Wellness
There are different perspectives as to what wellness is, but many important organisations agree that wellness is not limited to health, as follows:
- The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as: “... an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence”
- According to the Global Awareness Day, “Wellness is the conscious development of the whole self. Embarking on a wellness journey is a process of searching for the appropriate tools” to make you a healthier and happier human being, plus discovering your own effective methods to use these “tools” for continued growth and development.
- It is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as ” ....the optimal state of health of individuals or groups. There are two focal concerns: the realisation of the fullest potential of an individual physically, psychologically, socially, spiritually and economically, and the fulfilment of one’s role expectations in the family, community and place of worship, workplace and other settings“.
The above definitions show that recognising and getting the tools for maintaining an optimal state of health is part of a lifestyle to have a successful existence. This is so because the way you feel about yourself, for example, that you look good, has a psychological effect on you. especially your self-esteem and confidence.
The Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Wellness, in its truest form, extends far beyond the typical gym workout or daily meditation practice. It encompasses a lifestyle that prioritises physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and spiritual fulfilment. While it has gained immense popularity in recent years through movements like yoga, mindfulness, and nutrition, wellness has always been a part of human culture. It’s about nourishing every aspect of yourself, recognising that your
internal state affects your external experience.
When we talk about wellness in the context of beauty, we start to look at it in a different light—one that isn’t just about appearance, but the overall radiance that comes from feeling good, inside and out.
The National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, defines wellness as “a holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, fuelling the body, engaging the mind, and nurturing the spirit. Although it always includes striving for health, it’s more about living life fully and is “a lifestyle and a personalised approach to living life in a way that… allows you to become the best kind of person that your potentials, circumstances, and fate will allow” ( Stoewen, 2017).
It identifies eight dimensions
of wellness:
- Emotional wellness. Coping effectively with life and creating satisfying relationships.
- Physical wellness. Recognising the need for physical activity, sleep and
nutrition. - Financial wellness.. Satisfaction with current and future financial situations and goals.
- Social wellness. Having a sense of connection and a dependable support
system. - Occupational wellness. Personal satisfaction and enrichment from one’s
work. - Environmental wellness. Good health through pleasant environments that
support well-being. - Intellectual wellness. Identifying creative abilities and expanding
knowledge and skills. - Spiritual wellness. Expanding our sense of purpose and meaning in life.
However, the Global Wellness Institute limits the dimensions to six, excluding intellectual and occupational dimensions. So, wellness goes beyond physical health. It involves a wholesome approach to living and understanding the close interconnections between the various dimensions of wellness, enabling us to create a living environment that promotes wellness.
References
Aked, J. and Thompson, S. (2011). Five Ways to Well-being: New applications, new ways of thinking. [online] New Economics Foundation. Available at:
https://neweconomics.org/2011/07/five-ways-well-new-applications-new-ways-thinking.
Aon Hewitt, (2014). Aon Hewitt Survey Finds Employers to Focus on Improving Financial Well-Being of Workers in 2014 [online] Available
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BBC. (n.d.). BBC Radio 2 - Faith In The World Week - 8 brilliant definitions of beauty, from Aristotle to Aguilera. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4FgkDqgQN2nqTx8ltswmCGr/8-brilliant-definitions-of-beauty-from aristotle-to-aguilera.
Davidson, L. (2017). Workplace Financial Wellness Programs:
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Chatterjee, A. ed, (2018). Beauty2Wellness, Mitigating Barriers and Building Bridges, Research Report. [online] Global Wellness Institute. Available at: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Beauty2Wellness-Report-final_011118.pdf [Accessed 7 Mar. 2025].
Global Wellness Institute (2024). What is Wellness? [online] Global Wellness Institute. Available at: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/what-is-wellness/.
Global Wellness Institute. (n.d.). Beauty Meets Wellness: A Global Initiative. [online] Available at: https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Miami_Roundtable_Summary_Final.pdf [Accessed 12 Mar. 2025].
Holland, K (2015). Fighting with your spouse? It’s probably about this [online]. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/04/money-is-the-leading-cause-of-stress-in-relationships.html [Accessed
on 27 Nov. 2017]
March, B. (2023). The campaign for a new dictionary definition of ‘beauty’ explained. [online] HARPER’S BAZAAR. Available at: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/a42706042/change-dictionary definition-beauty/ [Accessed 10 Mar. 2025].
Shapland, K. (2019). THE MEANING OF BEAUTY: A LANDMARK DEFINITION - The British Beauty Council. The British Beauty Council. [online] 20 Mar. Available at: https://britishbeautycouncil.com/the-meaning-of-beauty-a-landmark-definition/. 20 Mar. Available at:
https://britishbeautycouncil.com/the-meaning-of-beauty-a-landmark-definition/.
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Sue Y. Nabi, Coty’s CEO, has written an open letter to the major dictionary houses which highlights the outdated nature of their definitions – ones which are embedded with prejudice on the basis of attributes – and their need for review. https://tks hpc.h5mag.com/hpc_today_3_2024/holistic_beauty_-_the_power_of_holistic_beauty_the_future_of_personal_care
Sun Trust, (2015) Love and Money: People Say They Save, Partner Spends, According to SunTrust Survey [online]
Available at: http://investors.suntrust.com/news/news-details/2015/Love-and-Money-People-Say-They-Save-Partner-Spends-According-to-SunTrust-Survey/default.aspx
[Accessed 28 Nov. 2017]
