Times are forever changing and so is everything with it. Wording is not an exception. In our field also, scrutiny has has been introduced and in some cases voluntarily and in others welcomed. New difinitions have come forth and quite a few have "come to life" out of necessity. It is to be expected that tomorrow new ones will come forth.
As a reflexologist I have heard words like healing, homeostasis, relaxation and others as I am sure you have too. Then came wellbeing which seems to still not satisfy "the market" so now there is wellness.
If you are like me you might find it difficult to define what wellness is or the difference to wellbeing.
I found the quote by Andrew Gibson, of the Wellness Tourism Association, very clarifying.
Just want to make a note before you read on, on the importance of those working on the matters of wording and definition inside their countries across the world.
Important work with no glamour, still important.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness to me is a pathway that is part of a journey, such as fitness. It’s part of a process of making you feel better. Reading a book, going to the library, studying arts, gardening, meditation — these are all journeys along the wellness path.
Wellbeing is the ultimate goal. To be in a state of “wellbeing” means that you’ve found a satisfactory condition in fitness, mindfulness, and, to some degree, spirituality. So it’s “mind, body, and soul.”
Wellbeing is the state you’re trying to attain and wellness are the different paths along the journey to get there.
Everybody has different ways of describing wellness, and I don’t think any is right or wrong. But, I also think it’s important to create some universally accepted definitions.
Link to article here
