Dr Sandeep Patil, Chief Intensivist, Fortis Hospital, Mumbai, talks about how Health and Wellness are different things on the occasion of World Health Day on April 7th, 2022.
The main difference between health and wellness is that health is the final goal, while wellness is the way to achieve it. Health refers to a state where the human body is free from disease and pain. Wellness, on the other hand, includes achieving a balance in physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and occupational well-being.
While many people may consider health to be more important than wellness and vice-versa, the fact is that they are both essential.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND ITS IMPORTANCE: Taking care of physical health is very important for your overall health and wellness.
- It is proven that exercise is good for physical and mental health.
- Eating a good healthy diet and getting sufficient physical movement/exercise.
- Diet includes fermented foods rich in probiotics, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, Omega-3 Fatty Acids and polyunsaturated fats, good protein, whole grains, limited consumption of red meat and complex carbohydrates.
- Minimally processed foods in the diet is very important.
These will help to prevent chronic diseases like:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiac problems
How does a balanced diet help the human body?
- A flourishing gut microbiome is vital for the body
- Gut-brain connection is important for emotional and mental well-being
- Foods/Meals that one consumes impact your wellness and health and 90 percent of Serotonin (the feel-good hormone) is made in the gut.
Regular exercise is essential for improving balance, building lean muscles, improving cardiovascular functions, and boosting mood and energy. If you have been ignoring your physical health for a long time, it is essential to start small and do it for a long time rather than doing intense workouts for a short time.
MENTAL WELLNESS AND ITS IMPORTANCE: Mental health and wellness are critical for a happy life. That is why it is essential to incorporate habits into our daily lives that help us achieve good mental health.
Tips to achieve mental well-being include the following:
- Practice regular self-care – Whether it is sleeping for an extra hour, staying hydrated through the day, staying at home rather than going out, or simply taking a long shower, self-care is different for a person. Any activity that makes you feel renewed and energized can be defined as a self-care activity and these are essential.
- Have a good sleep routine – Sleep is an essential biological function, having disrupted patterns can affect your mental and physical health. It can impact your blood sugar, cause hormonal imbalances, influence mood, and impair decision-making skills. Have a fixed regime for sleeping and waking up, and don’t forget to switch off your phone an hour before bed.
- Seek help – Mental health can be complicated and affects different people differently. It is essential to seek professional help from a therapist, Psychiatrist, or Psychologist (depending on your symptoms) if you feel anxious and stressed for long periods. While stress and Anxiety for short durations happen to everyone, it is time to seek help if you think they interfere with your everyday routine and relationships.
Occupational wellness is also important as stress and anxiety of being in a position/role/job can result in physical and emotional stress. This is also the reason for the advent of diseases.
In conclusion, understanding the difference between health and wellness is key to living a fulfilled life. So, while the status of your health cannot always be changed, there is always an opportunity to take an active and positive approach to wellness.
