What is the difference between health and wellness

Health and wellness are two terms that are often used interchangeably. Even though the two do overlap in a lot of aspects, they do indeed mean different things. So what is the difference between health and fitness? Let us find out.

What is the scope of health and wellness?

So what do health and wellness encompass? In its broadest sense, health refers to the physical condition of an individual and includes factors like the absence of disease, optimal bodily functions, and the overall physical condition of an individual. Over time, the term ‘health’ has gone on to include mental and emotional health as well

Wellness, on the other hand, includes more than just physical health - and encompasses emotional, spiritual, intellectual, mental, and social wellbeing. 

What do health and wellness focus on?

Health focuses on diagnosing and treating specific ailments and optimising the body to stay away from such conditions. 

Wellness focuses on proactive and continuous measures that an individual might take to maintain harmony in various realms of life, to reach optimal functioning and fulfillment.

What are the approaches of health and wellness?

Even though good health is a process, it is seen as more reactive, addressing problems as and when they arise. 

Wellness is more preventive, seeking to prevent problems and enhance one’s quality of life through conducive lifestyle choices and behaviours.

What are the goals of health and wellness?

The goals of good health are to maintain physiological functions at maximum capacity and to treat illnesses, diseases, injuries, and any other kind of abnormality.

The goal of optimum wellness is to achieve holistic (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, intellectual) wellbeing, to achieve a state of equilibrium and vitality across all the aforementioned domains.

How are health and wellness measured?

Health is measured through various clinical assessments, medical tests, and physiological parameters like blood pressure, BMI, blood tests, etc. 

The measurement of wellness is subjective as it lies on a much broader spectrum. However, subjective indicators like happiness, stress levels, life satisfaction, physical fitness, etc. allow for the evaluation of wellness. 

How do professionals treat health and wellness issues?

Health problems typically involve medical professionals, who will prescribe treatments, medications, or therapies.

Wellness interventions involve a broad range of remedies, such as lifestyle modifications, self-care practices, mindfulness and meditation techniques, therapies, and social support networks. 

A summary of the differences between health and wellness

	Health	Wellness
Scope	Physical state	Physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, mental, and social wellbeing
Focus	Diagnosing and treating ailments	Proactive measures to maintain harmony in life
Approach	Reactive	Preventative
Goal	Maintain physiological functions	Achieve holistic wellbeing
Measurement	Clinical assessments, medical tests, and physiological parameters	Subjective indicators
Treatment	Treatments, medications, therapies	Lifestyle modifications, self-care practices, mindfulness and meditation techniques, therapies, and social support networks