HEALTH, MEDICAL, WELLNESS, AYURVEDA

Health and wellness are terms that are often interchanged, but their origins and meanings are different. As established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 1940s, health is referred to as, “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” According to the WHO, the primary determinants of health include the social, economic, and physical environments, and the person’s individual characteristics and behaviours. The maintenance and improvement of health, accordingly, depends not only on external or environmental factors (including the systems of care), but also on the efforts and intelligent lifestyle choices of the person. In fact, it depends on wellness.According to the National Wellness Institute, wellness is considered, “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence”. This definition is based on 3 tenets:-Wellness is considered a conscious, self-directed and evolving process of achieving full potential.-Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment.-Wellness is positive and affirming.In understanding the difference between health and wellness, in short, health is a state of being, whereas wellness is the state of living a healthy lifestyle. Health refers to physical, mental, and social well-being; wellness aims to enhance well-being. Every day presents choices as to the extent to which you do what’s best to sustain your physical, mental/emotional, and social well-being, and preserve the balance among these aspects of your health. Optimal health comes from wellness, from making decisions and practicing behaviours that are based on sound health knowledge and healthful attitudes.Apart from general points such as drink plenty water, exercise daily here are some ways to enhance one’s overall wellness –-Plan Your Meals - It'll help you save time and money in the long run. Block out some time, then sit down and consider your goals and needs. Do you want to lose weight? Cut back on sugar, fat, or carbs? Add protein or vitamins? Meal prep keeps you in control. You know what you're eating and when. A bonus: It'll be that much easier to skip those doughnuts in the breakroom at work.-Go Offline - Checking your email and social media a lot? Sure, your friends' and family's latest updates are just a click away, but do you really need to see pictures of your cousin's latest meal? Let it wait until morning. Set a time to log off and put the phone down. When you cut back on screen time, it frees you to do other things. Take a walk, read a book, or help your cousin chop veggies for their next great dinner.-Keep Your Balance - If you're young and active, good balance will help you avoid injuries. If you're older, it will keep you active longer and lower the chances you'll fall and break a bone. No matter your age, good balance means better muscle tone, a healthier heart, and greater confidence. Yoga and tai chi are great ways to work on it, but just about anything that keeps you moving, even walking, can help.Sources- Various, Britannica, Wikipedia..