How to Have a Positive Increase of Wellness

Wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. This mirrors the World Health Organization’s definition of health as "not merely the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.”

Following on this definition, one can envisage a continuum of factors that combine to bring about wellness. These factors include medical wellness, physical wellness, social wellness and emotional wellness among others.

The physical dimension of wellness encourages cardiovascular flexibility and strength building. This is achieved through and also encourages regular, physical activity. This can be achieved by regular exercise in 20-30 minute sessions two to three times a week.

Social programs that promote having positive interactions with, and enjoying being with others, include mutual associations that allow one to care for others and also to be cared for are helpful in promoting wellness. A good social network provides opportunities for laughter, warm friendships and tactile affirmations like stroking and hugging, all of which lower stress and promote wellness.

Emotional wellness includes the capacity to manage one's feelings and the actions that are determined by those feelings while realistically assessing one’s limitations, and ability to cope effectively with stress. Emotional wellness can be increased through spending time with friends and family discussing important personal concerns and being supportive of each other;

Mental wellness is a composite of biological and social factors. It can be increased through physical activity, good nutrition and stress reduction.

By and large, the various dimensions of wellness fall into the broad categories of mental and physical. While it physical factors are often focused on, it is easy for the mental and emotional components to be relegated to the background. To achieve a good balance in wellness, both dimensions must be given equal attention.