Wellness, as first introduced by the physician

Halbert Dunn in a 1961 publication called “High

Level Wellness”, was described as “a lifestyle

approach for pursuing elevated states of

physical and psychological well-being”. In a

retardation of the original definition, the term,

in the five decades since then, has essentially

come to be associated with health, its

awareness, prevention and other primarily

treatment-oriented concepts.

However, if you have been watching allied

industries closely, you would have noticed a

shift sometime at the turn of the twenty first

century. I would like to believe that perhaps, it

has not been as much a shift in offerings as it

has been one in perception.

The focus of wellness has expanded - from the

traditional ‘health and well-being’ offerings to

today’s more contemporary concerns about

adapting to new realities. From being just an

approach towards keeping illness away, to a

more holistic philosophy of embracing the

principles of good health – which is not only

physical but mental and spiritual as well.

I have not failed to notice that with a change in

individual perception, there has been a

comparable transformation in consumer

curiosity in the wellness segment as well. Over

the last decade or so, consumer interest has

fawned over extended domains of the wellness

industry: exercise, fitness, nutrition, stress

management, critical thinking, spirituality,

effective relationships, beauty and

rejuvenation. Not only do we want to feel

healthy and fit all the time, we wish for a

flatter tummy, toned muscles, glowing skin, a

stress-free mind and clear goals in life –

aspirational prototypes of the fitness

advertiser.

One positive outcome of this is the fact that

even as we are becoming more aware of the

need for wellness in our lives, we are also

willing to assume responsibility for it – to

choose the quality of our lives, to shape a

healthy lifestyle and to key in the principles

that are required to do the same.

Wellness is the new sunrise industry and as a

proponent, I am happy to note that people

now better appreciate the value of what it

means to be healthy, as opposed to not just

being ‘not sick’. To me, the components of a

healthy lifestyle include physical fitness, a

positive outlook, an integrated lifestyle, high

self-esteem, freedom from addictions of a

negative nature, a capacity to cope with life’s

challenges and an ability to achieve a sense of

mental and spiritual balance.

If you were to take stock of how you fare in

the above areas, where do you think you

would stand?

I’d love to hear your thoughts…

Welcome to my blog, a place where I hope to

cover the latest in wellness and wellness

trends. Do write in with your feedback and

contribute to my knowledge by reporting on

what goes on in your part of the world.