What is the Difference Between Wellbeing, Well-being, Wellness? Let's find out for our Overall Health!
The nuances between wellbeing, well-being, and wellness significantly impact our journey towards holistic health and happiness.
Life’s a bit chaotic these days, right?
We’re all vaguely aware of the self-care, self-love, general wellbeing movement - and for good reason! Unfortunately, the important message of taking care of yourself through a balanced work-life and personal-life alike can get lost in all the generic, ambiguous buzzwords thrown around. This muddies the important distinctions between things like ‘wellbeing’, ‘well-being’, and ‘wellness’ - meaning we may not know they’re different at all!
The concepts of ‘wellbeing’, ‘well-being’, and ‘wellness’ serve as guiding principles for our overall health. Yet, despite their frequent interchangeability, each term carries a distinct essence that warrants deeper exploration.
This blog defines the differences, and offers some actionable examples you can implement in your day-to-day life to uplift your wellbeing, well-being, and wellness alike. If we unravel the intricacies of these terms, we can gain valuable insights into how to cultivate a holistic approach to health and happiness.
Understanding Wellbeing, Well-being, Wellness
Okay, we hear you: does it really matter what the difference is? Wellbeing, well-being, and wellness are all the same really, right?
Understanding the distinctions between wellbeing, well-being, and wellness isn't just about semantics - it's about capitalising on the different facets of our mental and physical health to holistically experience a truly vibrant and fulfilling life. By teasing apart these terms, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to thrive in every aspect of our day-to-day.
So… What is the difference?
Wellbeing
The most common, well-rounded term for our mental and physical health. At its core, "wellbeing" encompasses the multifaceted state of being healthy, content, and fulfilled across all aspects of life.
Wellbeing is about achieving a sense of balance and harmony, where individuals experience satisfaction, purpose, and vitality in their daily lives. It encourages a holistic approach to life, recognising the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of wellbeing.
Well-being
The term "well-being," with its hyphenated form, is less of a state of being and more a state of doing, emphasising the dynamic, ongoing process of actively managing one's health and happiness.
It underscores the proactive effort required to cultivate a state of equilibrium amidst life's ever-changing circumstances. Well-being acknowledges that achieving and maintaining a balanced state necessitates continuous self-awareness, adaptation, and resilience.
This focus on action relates specifically to mindfulness. At work, mindfulness plays a pivotal role in fostering this sense of well-being (More on what is mindfulness in the workplace). By cultivating non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, individuals can enhance their focus, reduce stress, and make more effective decisions. This practice contributes to a positive work environment, improves employee well-being, and ultimately enhances our productivity and performance.
Wellness
Finally, "wellness" focuses specifically on the proactive pursuit of behaviours and practices aimed at optimising physical and mental health. Similar to well-being’s mindfulness, it encompasses a wide range of activities, from regular exercise and balanced nutrition, to stress management techniques and personal wellness practices.
Additionally, wellness recognises that factors such as social support, environmental surroundings, and emotional regulation play crucial roles in overall health. It encourages individuals to cultivate supportive relationships, create environments conducive to healthy living, and prioritise activities that promote emotional resilience and mental clarity.
Put simply? Wellness places importance on both preventive care and self-care in promoting overall vitality and wellbeing.
Examples of Wellbeing, Well-being, and Wellness
So, we’ve done the what - now it’s time for the how?
We’ve put together 15 practical examples of wellbeing, well-being, and wellness. Incorporating just a few of these into your daily life goes a long way into holistically supporting your overall health.
Wellbeing
Spend time with friends, family, co-workers
Take time to check in with yourself
Find joy by celebrating the little things
Set boundaries to protect your time and energy
Get creative by engaging in fulfilling activities
Well-being
Practice mindfulness through meditation and deep breathing
Write down three things you’re grateful for daily
Disconnect with technology and reconnect with nature
Listen to a relaxing, happy playlist
Unwind with a relaxing bath or nice cup of tea
Wellness
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty water (the NHS recommends 6-8 cups daily)
Maintain good sleep habits with bedtime and morning routines
Exercise regularly - whether it’s jogging and the gym, football in the park, or just a short walk and desk stretches
Prioritise down time each day to reset yourself
Well-Rounded Wellbeing
To summarise:
Wellbeing: The overall state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy across various aspects of life.
Well-being: The ongoing process of actively managing our health and happiness, prioritising adaptability and resilience.
Wellness: Proactive measures and behaviours aimed at optimising our physical and mental health, promoting overall vitality and wellbeing.
By understanding the nuances between wellbeing, well-being, and wellness, we can tailor our approach to personal growth and happiness more effectively. Most important of all - we can empower ourselves to make informed choices and cultivate habits that nurture our holistic wellbeing.
"Wellbeing is the balance between the challenges we face and the resources available to us." Meik Wiking
For more information on what we do, get in touch via info@mind-it.co.uk.
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