While many people identify wellness with overall health — diet and weight management — it involves a far broader range of disciplines. Wellness is a holistic concept that encompasses physical, social, spiritual, and emotional wellness. It sustains the body, stimulates the intellect, and maintains the spirit. (Hosker et al. 171). Physical well-being entails several good activities, such as regular exercise and a good diet. Social awareness entails the pursuit of connection, insight, and affirmation in interpersonal relationships. Spiritual awareness involves finding meaning in one’s life, whether or not organized religion is involved. On the other hand, emotional wellness involves experiencing and expressing human emotions. Emotional well-being is characterized by optimism, self-esteem, self-acceptance, and the capacity to express emotions.
Having a personal perspective on health and well-being enables one to have compassion and tolerance for others and be a good listener. The development of personal ties with others is facilitated by showing compassion to others (Hosker et al. 178). In addition, health and well-being require feedback from others, reflecting recognition of one’s strengths and flaws. Additionally, it enables modification of one’s behaviors more readily, making more informed judgments, and exercising greater self-control.
Like in health and wellness, Maslow’s hierarchy of wants emphasizes similar facets of achieving wellness and good health. Maslow’s hierarchy is a psychological, motivational theory based on a five-tiered model of human wants (Hale et al. 109). First, it entails physiological needs such as air, food, sex, and shelter. Maslow considered physiological needs as the most basic of all human wants. Once a person’s physiological needs are addressed, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs dictates that a person’s security needs, such as financial and emotional security, are met next. Following the fulfillment of safety needs, the third level of human wants is social, which entails the urge shared by all humans for interpersonal interactions, connectedness, and group membership (Hale et al. 110). Next, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs classifies esteem needs as the fourth level. Finally, Maslow’s hierarchy includes self-actualization requirements such as achieving potential, self-fulfillment, personal growth, and peak experiences.
Identification of positive and negative relationships helps in improving health and well-being. A lack of social bonds, either in number or quality, is associated with various illnesses, including the onset and progression of heart disease and hypertension, among others (Hosker et al. 183). Unsupportive social ties, in particular, may act as a barrier to improved health behaviors and performance. Relationship stress can negatively affect health via behavioral, psychological, and physiological mechanisms.
It is critical to have effective communication skills that facilitate understanding with others. Effective communication fosters stronger bonds with others, which fosters mutual respect. It also enhances productivity and engagement due to a positive work environment. The capacity for mindfulness can aid in predicting relationship contentment — the capacity to cope effectively with relationship stresses and the capacity to communicate one’s feelings to a partner. Mindfulness prevents the emotionally unpleasant consequences of related disputes.
Physical health is good body fitness, which is attained through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate rest, whereas mental health refers to a state of well-being where a person recognizes their abilities and can cope with everyday life stresses (Hosker et al. 175). Mental illness is a risk factor for developing chronic physical illnesses. Conversely, individuals who suffer from persistent physical problems are at risk of acquiring poor mental health. A healthy individual can typically recognize and eliminate undesirable behaviors like addiction. Indicators of depression include personality changes in friends and unexpected weight loss (Hosker et al. 176). Therefore, one needs to speak and express concern on their mental health status, which ultimately calls for prompt interventions.
From the discussion, many points can be taken into notice. First, physical, economic, and social contexts, as well as an individual’s qualities and activities, are all crucial determinants of health. Therefore, maintaining and improving one’s health depends not just on environmental or external variables but also on the individual’s efforts and wise lifestyle choices. On the other hand, wellness encompasses a person’s overall health in all aspects of life, including physical, mental, social, and spiritual health.
Works Cited
Hosker, Daniel K., R. Meredith Elkins, and Mona P. Potter. “Promoting mental health and wellness in youth through physical activity, nutrition, and sleep.” Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics 28.2 (2019): 171-193.
Hale, Andrew J., et al. “Adapting Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a framework for resident wellness.” Teaching and learning in medicine 31.1 (2019): 109-118.