Wellness versus Well-being

How would you answer this question? “What’s the difference between wellness, and well-being?” If you are the health/PE teacher in the building, the more likely question – “What is it that you teach?” The Health Triad explains the inter-related nature of health, wellness, and well-being.

The Triad is a reminder that health knowledge without personal action is inert and ineffective.

The Triad brings health education to life with goals, actions, and results. To many, these words feel more empowering than health, wellness, and well-being. Let’s dive into the similarities and differences. First, how wellness and well-being are alike . . .

• Personal – Health actions and outcomes are unique to individuals. There is no one set of goals or actions that work equally for everyone.
• Cultural – A person’s approach to their health is influenced by cultural norms and historical experiences.
• Dynamic – An individual’s perspective on health constantly changes over time. There is always the possibility for change.
• Subjective – People see the purpose, meaning, and consequences of health through different lenses.

Distinctions include:

• Predominant dimension: Wellness is more likely to be physical. Wellness is associated with movement, nutrition, sleep, and illness. Well-being is more likely to reside in the mental, emotional, and social dimensions.
• Associations: People are likely to associate wellness (plans and actions) with lifestyle and choices. Well-being tends to lean toward satisfaction with outcomes, a sense of fulfillment.
• Focus: Wellness tends to focus on the things we do or don’t do. For instance, daily movement and nutritious food. Well-being, on the other hand, is a state of being, whether that be rewarding or disappointing.

Next time, I’ll dive into my take on the dimensions of wellness. Perhaps we should call it the dimensions of well-being. What do you think?

All the best . . . ~g

Gary Lemke, ​Interactive​

​