Why wellness approach to personal health is crucial

We often focus a lot on not falling sick and neglect to invest in personal wellness yet a healthy lifestyle is crucial to prevention and management of disease. And it should also include personal wellness as a core element. However, we need to differentiate between ‘health’ and ‘wellness’.

The World Health Organisation defines health as “not merely the absence of disease or infirmity but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being”. The Global Wellness Institute defines it as “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”. Both emphasise a holistic approach to the health and well-being of the individual via deliberate choices.

Covid-19 has taught us the importance and value of good health. Keeping the coronavirus at bay requires one to adhere to safety guidelines and work towards optimal health and wellness at a personal level. And that requires discipline and focus.

Leading authors on the subject state eight dimensions of wellness: Physical, social, emotional, financial, spiritual, occupational, financial and intellectual. Physical wellness is about maintaining a healthy body with a good diet, proper exercise and adequate sleep. All should look after their physical wellness and encourage others to do so.

Social wellness is about maintaining healthy relationships with others. We have a primary social responsibility to help stop the spread of the pandemic by observing the safety protocols, ensure that we do not put others at risk of contracting the disease and assist the vulnerable members of society.

Cope with stress

Emotional wellness is about how we handle our feelings and cope with stress. Today’s environment requires patience and restraint in dealing with people and situations, as well as empathy to those around us. This will also help to tame the increasing cases of domestic violence and abuse, and mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety.

Financial wellness entails managing money to achieve positive, long-term benefits. With many jobs at risk and families struggling, this is crucial.

Spiritual wellness involves pursuing meaning and purpose in life and realising true inner joy and peace. Deep personal introspection enables us to discover our values and reconnect with the Creator.

Occupational wellness is about personal satisfaction and fulfilment in our work. Look back at your career achievements and explore possibilities.

Intellectual wellness is anchored on creativity and openness to new ideas and learning. Spending time indoors can enhance learning or developing talents.

Personal wellness empowers us with the ability to achieve better health outcomes. Treat health as an asset: Invest time, money and effort in acquiring and developing it. Safeguarding good health is better than trying to reclaim it once somebody falls sick. As they say, “health is the new wealth”.

Mr Shigoli is the managing director, AAR Insurance Kenya. [email protected].