​

WELLNESS:

The word wellness is often used as an all-encompassing term that represents good health and mindful living. Even though we all use this word without a second thought, the actual core concept really does deserve more elaboration. According to the National Wellness Institute (NWI), wellness is “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.” To further illuminate this definition, NWI describes wellness as having six dimensions, which are:

• Emotional

• Intellectual

• Occupational

• Physical

• Social

• Spiritual

​​

SELF-CARE:

Several organizations and researchers take a health-oriented approach when defining self-care. The World Health Organization defines self-care as: “the ability of individuals, families, and communities to promote health, prevent disease, maintain health, and to cope with illness and disability with or without the support of a healthcare provider.” According to this definition, self-care includes everything related to staying physically healthy — including hygiene, nutrition, and seeking medical care when needed. It’s all the steps an individual can take to manage stressors in his or her life and take care of his or her own health and well-being.