July 31st, 2006
What is Wellness?
Some people who are into fitness will talk about wellness as well. You’ll hear about companies that sell wellness products and so forth. But you may not be sure what this wellness stuff is. What does it have to do with a healthy lifestyle?
Wellness is basically one way to express how healthy your lifestyle is. However, many also include all the body processes, physical and mental, when they discuss wellness.
One of the goals of wellness is an improved quality of life for an extended period, even far into retirement. The idea is that by having a healthy body and strong immune system, you can avoid conditions such as macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, strokes and so forth. It’s also about generally feeling healthy.
The ability to continue learning is a part of working toward wellness. An active mind stays sharp longer than one that does not get stretched. You continue to teach and to learn, to try new experiences.
There is also a tendency to avoid many chemicals. You will find many wellness companies strongly recommend avoiding many common household chemicals, as they may cause health problems. Just be careful, as some of them sell products that are really no better. My personal advice is to use old fashioned cleaners if you want to avoid harsh chemicals. You might be surprised at how much watered down vinegar can do.
If you have a fitness routine and a healthy diet, you are already managing that part of a healthy lifestyle, one that goes well with the concept of wellness. Giving your body what it needs, both in activity and in nutrition, will generally help you to feel better, stronger and more active.
