Wellness (alternative medicine)

Wellness (alternative medicine)

Wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind-body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It has been used in the context of alternative medicine since Halbert L. Dunn, M.D. began using the phrase "high level wellness" in the fifties, based on a series of lectures at a Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, Virginia, in the United States. The modern concept of wellness did not, however, become popular until the 1970's. [http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/reports/2004-02-10.htm]

Dunn (196, p. 4) defined wellness as "an integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable. It requires that the individual maintain a continuum of balance and purposeful direction within the environment where he is functioning." He also stated that "wellness is a direction in progress toward an ever-higher potential of functioning" (p. 6).

The term has been defined by the Singapore-based National Wellness Association as "an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence." This is consistent with a shift in focus away from illness in viewing human health, typical of contexts where the term wellness is used. In other words, wellness is a view of health that emphasizes the state of the entire being and its ongoing development.

The phrase can also be seen as an analogue to the medical term "homeostasis".

Wellness can also be described as "the constant, conscious pursuit of living life to its fullest potential."

Introduction

Alternative approaches to wellness are often denoted by the use of two difference phrases: "health and wellness", and "wellness programs." These kind of wellness programs offer alternative medicine techniques to improve wellness. Whether these techniques actually improve physical health is controversial and a subject of much debate. James Randi and the James Randi Educational Foundation are outspoken critics of this alternative new age concept of wellness. The behaviors in the pursuit of wellness often include many health related practices, such as natural therapies.

Wellness, as a luxury pursuit, is found obviously in the more affluent societies because it involves managing the body state after the basic needs of food, shelter and basic medical care have already been met. Many of the practices applied in the pursuit of wellness, in fact, are aimed at controlling the side effects of affluence, such as obesity and inactivity. Wellness grew as a popular concept starting in the 19th century, just as the middle class began emerging in the industrialized world, and a time when a newly prosperous public had the time and the resources to pursue wellness and other forms of self-improvement.

Wellness determinants

Wellness can be described as a state that combines health and happiness. Thus those factors that contribute to being healthy and happy also will be contributing to being well. Factors that contribute to health and happiness have long been recognized, at least since the time of Ancient Greeks. In order to achieve a state of wellness one has to work on its determinants. The determinants of wellness are: better understanding of concepts like destiny, health practices, spirituality, family, environment, work, money and security, health services, social support and leisure.

Wellness programs

Definitions of wellness vary depending upon who is promoting it. These wellness promoters try to facilitate a healthier population and a higher quality of life. Wellness can be defined as the pursuit of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Wellness, as an alternative concept, is generally thought to mean more than the mere absence of disease; rather it is an optimal state of health. Wellness is pursued by people interested in recovering from ill health or specific health conditions or by those interested in optimizing their already good state of health.

Supporters of these programs believe that many factors contribute to wellness: living in a clean environment, eating organic food, regularly engaging in physical exercise, balance in career; family; and relationships, and developing religious faith. But, there are two basic widely different approaches to wellness. The original faith-based wellness programs offer a spiritual approach which is in opposition to the more recent secular wellness promoters. [http://www.seekwellness.com/wellness/reports/2004-02-10.htm]

Some well known wellness promoters are Deepak Chopra, Michael Roizen, Mehmet Oz, Don B. Ardell, David F. Duncan and Andrew Weil. Janice Doochin of In-Harmony.

ecular-based wellness programs

The aging population participates in wellness programs in order to feel better and have more energy. Wellness programs allow individuals to take increased responsibility for their health behaviors. People often enroll in a private wellness program in order to improve fitness, stop smoking, or to learn how to manage their weight.

Workplace wellness programs are recognized by more and more companies for their value in improving health and well-being of their employees. They are part of a company's health and safety program. These wellness programs are designed to improve employee morale, loyalty, and productivity. They could consist of as little as a gym full of exercise equipment that is available to their employees on company property during the workday. But they may also cover smoking cessation programs, nutrition; weight; or stress management training, health risk assessments, and health screenings.

[http://www.wellnessproposals.com Wellness Programs] Retrieved from the Web. Info portal and cost analysis for companies wishing to implement a workplace wellness program for their employees.

Faith-based wellness programs

Faith-based organizations often provide an array of services to residents in need, such as food, shelter, clothing, childcare and senior services in the community. Faith-based wellness ministries are simply wellness programs sponsored by the faith-based community which are similar to those offered by others, but generally also focus on the spiritual, New Age and religious aspects of wellness from the perspective of a particular faith. Here, wellness is viewed as a quest for spiritual wholeness. Robert H. Schuller's be happy Beatitudes, for example, expounds upon the New Testament and presents eight positive principles for fulfillment.
New Age guru Deepak Chopra, author of more than 40 books on spirituality and health, offers an alternative and New Age spirituality perspective to wellness.

Faith-based wellness also includes specific diets, such as Dr. George Malkmus' Bible-based Hallelujah Diet and others. [Citation | last = Cherry | first = Rona | publication-date = March 2006 | title = Can You Pray Your Pounds Away? | periodical = Vegetarian Times | pages = 80-83 | url = http://www.hacres.com/media/articles/pray_your_pounds_away_veg_times_Mar06.pdf| accessdate = 2008-03-08]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Glossary of alternative medicine — This is a glossary for terms and concepts being used in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), an umbrella term for a large number of practices that fall outside the scope of conventional medicine. NOTOC AAcupunctureAcupuncture is the… …   Wikipedia

  • Wellness — may mean:*Wellness (alternative medicine) Wellness is generally used to mean a healthy balance of the mind body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well being. This article discusses wellness from an alternative medicine perspective… …   Wikipedia

  • Portal:Complementary and Alternative Medicine — Introduction | Topics | Selected Article | Selected Picture | Contemporary Use of CAM | Quotes | | Did you know? Selected Biography | Things you can do | WikiProjects | Categories | Related Portals | Wikimedia edit   …   Wikipedia

  • Nan Jing (Chinese medicine) — The Huangdi Bashiyi Nanjing (黃帝八十一難經 English: The Huang Emperor s Canon of Eighty One Difficult Issues ), often referred to simply as the Nan Jing, is one of the classics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Written in the late Han dynasty, the …   Wikipedia

  • Concierge medicine — (also known as direct care) is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. This may or may not be in addition to other charges. In exchange for the retainer, doctors provide… …   Wikipedia

  • Meta-Medicine — is a diagnostic tool based on the work of Ryke Geerd Hamer, the inventor of German New Medicine. A Meta Medicine diagnosis works on the principle that all illness acute or chronic, physical or mental is created by a specific unexpected emotional… …   Wikipedia

  • Michael Paul Stephens — Born 1970 (age 40–41) Ipswich, UK Occupation Spiritual author, corporate consultant and wellness workshop facilitator Language English Nationality British Genres …   Wikipedia

  • List of New Age topics — For other uses, see New Age (disambiguation). Main article: New Age This article contains a list of New Age topics that are too extensive to include in its main article New Age; further information may be found at Category:New Age. Contents 1… …   Wikipedia

  • Topic outline of health science — Health sciences are the group of disciplines of applied science dealing with human and animal health. There are two parts to Health Sciences: the study, research and development of the knowledge of health, and the application of that knowledge to …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of health science — Main article: Healthcare science The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to health science: Contents 1 Branches 1.1 Conventional Western disciplines 1.2 Alternative medicine …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”