| Aspect | Wellness | Health |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An active process of becoming aware and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. | A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. |
| Holistic Focus | Takes a holistic approach, considering physical, mental, emotional, social, and even spiritual dimensions. | Traditionally emphasizes the absence of disease or infirmity, with a focus on physical well-being. |
| Preventive Focus | Emphasizes preventive measures and proactive lifestyle choices to enhance overall well-being and prevent health issues. | Traditionally focused on diagnosing, treating, and managing illnesses after they occur. |
| Lifestyle Choices | Encourages positive lifestyle choices, including nutrition, exercise, stress management, and other factors contributing to a high quality of life. | Primarily addresses the absence of diseases or conditions and may focus on medical interventions when health issues arise. |
| Dynamic Process | Viewed as a dynamic and ongoing process, with individuals actively engaging in behaviors that contribute to their well-being. | Traditionally seen as a static state that can be achieved by addressing and managing specific health conditions. |
| Individual Agency | Empowers individuals to take an active role in their health and make informed choices that align with their values and goals. | Often involves seeking medical advice and interventions from healthcare professionals when health issues arise. |
| Quality of Life | Aims to enhance the overall quality of life by promoting positive physical, mental, and social outcomes. | Traditionally associated with the absence of illness, contributing to an individual's ability to function effectively in daily life. |
| Mind-Body Connection | Recognizes the interconnectedness of physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance. | Traditionally compartmentalizes physical health from mental and emotional aspects. |
| Preventive Measures | Proactively engages in preventive measures, screenings, and health-promoting behaviors to maintain optimal well-being. | Traditionally focuses on treating and managing illnesses and may incorporate preventive measures to a lesser extent. |
| Personalized Approach | Embraces a personalized approach, acknowledging that well-being is unique to each individual and influenced by various factors. | Often adopts a standardized approach to addressing and managing specific health conditions based on medical guidelines. |
In summary, wellness and health differ in their definitions, focus, approach to preventive measures, perspective on lifestyle choices, and the dynamic nature of the concepts. Wellness takes a holistic and proactive approach, empowering individuals to actively engage in behaviors that contribute to their overall well-being, while health traditionally focuses on the absence of disease and medical interventions.