I’ve wrestled with trying to understand what health is – in fact, I often challenge doctors I teach to come up with a definition of health which makes no reference to disease or illness. Sure, WHO’s definition does say that health is more than the “mere absence” of disease, but that still doesn’t quite capture it. I think the three qualities of adaptability, creativity and engagement are good ones to consider when grappling with this concept called health.
But there’s another word doing the rounds now – “wellness”. Was does “wellness” mean to you, and does it mean something that “health” doesn’t?
Whatever definitions you come up with, I bet it doesn’t include what I just read about a new technology – a test card which, using a single drop of saliva or blood, can check for the presence of a bank of diseases.
I’m sorry, but that’s a “sickness card” not a “wellness card”! Even if it could test against 20 diseases, it will only tell you that you don’t have one of those 20 diseases – and that does not make you “well”!
Heroes Not Zombies 
To me, wellness is when you enjoy life so much you don’t feel too bad even when you are sick.
Dr. B
From someone mostly outside the medical industry (is it an industry?), “wellness” to me sounds like HMO rhetoric. It sounds like HMOs trying to get folks into preventative medicine like visiting the doctor for a physical, going to the gym and eating healthy (no mention of disease in that one!).
I feel like the word “health” to me has taken on a lot of ancillary meanings that may or may not be aligned with general well being.
I am continuously being and becoming…by making meaning in my life as I live it. I define wellness in terms of my present state, which in turn is composed of the interactions of my waking state, dream state and the universal state; i.e., the sacred Hindu “Om”).
For me, the resultant, combined state determines whether I “walk in beauty” (Navaho concept). I am indeed well when I walk in beauty. When I am off the path, I need to change and grow — to get well by returning to the way (Tao).
Of course, we know that it is all made up — our own individual and group stories — so being and becoming depends on the stories we tell ourselves.
A note to Greg- I don’t know how to find your blog, but I am working on a book that has some Navajo references. Any comments you might wish to make or info you want to refer me to would be appreciated.
I have not any made mention of the Navajo on my blog yet, but is is coming in the book.
Dr. Tom Bibey
drtombibey.wordpress.com
Wellness? Well, well-being, peace, love, wholeness, openness, unity with all that is, sense of being home, belonging…
Dear Bob
Its simple (excuse the cynicsm!)
Wellness is some one who has not been sufficiently
investigated.
At least in the USA.
PS I love your photo of the lights.