Wellness is the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental health outcomes, so that instead of just surviving, you're thriving. To understand the significance of wellness, it's important to understand how it's linked to health. The World Health Organization was the first to define wellness as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and “not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” We’ve been using this criteria since the 1950s, and it’s helped to shape the cultural understanding of what’s possible beyond being merely “not sick.” At IncentFit, we define wellness as an active practice of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead someone to a state of complete wellbeing.

Wellness Champions
Can you imagine what it would feel like to wake up in the morning totally rested, content, and ready to take on the day?
That’s what a lifestyle of wellness can do.
The concept isn’t new. Our “modern” definition has been in use since the 1950s! But the ways that we approach and practice this lifestyle have changed for the better, especially as wellness in the workplace has become increasingly important.
Read on to learn more about this topic! Click on the sections below to jump right to your specific question.

The World Health Organization was the first to define wellness as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and “not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
We’ve been using this criteria since the 1950s, and it’s helped to shape the cultural understanding of what’s possible beyond being merely “not sick.”
At IncentFit, we define wellness as an active practice of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead someone to a state of complete wellbeing.
There are two important distinctions here. First, wellness is not a passive state or a one-time action, but a lifelong practice that takes work, intentional actions, and choices. Second, wellness is something that each person does on their own (personal wellness) .
“At IncentFit, we see wellness as a regular practice of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead someone to a state of complete wellbeing.”
The Global Wellness Institute, another leading organization dedicated to public health and wellbeing, takes their definition a step further, explains: “Wellness is an individual pursuit—we have self-responsibility for our own choices, behaviors and lifestyles—but it is also significantly influenced by the physical, social and cultural environments in which we live.” What those choices are will be deeply personal, but the goal is the same: achieving a balanced lifestyle that results in happier, healthier, less stressful lives.

Experts have organized personal health into a model with several interconnected “dimensions.” A problem in one area can have effects in many others. Likewise, improving one of those areas can have positive ripples effects as we strive towards balance in this whole system!We find it most useful to use these dimensions:

• Physical: Caring for your body and physical health so it can perform the way you’d like it to. You do this by recognizing your body’s needs for exercise and activity, restful sleep, and good nutrition. This also includes managing health conditions or illness, and seeking medical care when required. People often use some sort of wearable technology to track their physical wellness. Some companies also implement biometric screening programs to help employees gauge their physical health in a more accurate manner.
• Emotional: How well you’re able to cope with life’s stresses and demands and setbacks. Someone who is emotionally well is focusing on meeting their emotional needs, building resilience and coping skills to handle changes and setbacks, and nurturing successful relationships and support networks. These practices can help to brighten your outlook and reduce stress.
• Intellectual: Learning new information and skills can build confidence and self-worth. Managing your intellectual wellness means recognizing your own strengths, while finding new ways to learn and stimulate your mind. It can also include being open to new ideas, thinking critically, expanding your knowledge about different topics, and exposing yourself to new ideas, people, and beliefs.
• Social: Developing a supportive network of friends, family and colleagues. The strength of your social networks can help make life more fulfilling, but also help during times of difficulty. Balancing work and family obligations with a rich and varied social life can have a positive impact and improve overall happiness.
• Spiritual: This can refer to the meaning that some people find in religion or spirituality, but more accurately we can pursue spiritual wellness when we feel like we’ve developed a purpose and find minding in our lives. Spirituality in different forms can provide comfort, and is deeply personal.
• Environment: Creating or finding spaces where you live, work, study, and play that help you feel safe, happy, and motivated. Our environment has a big impact on how we feel!
• Financial: Having control over your regular expenses, working to meet financial goals, and increasing the capacity to absorb a financial shock. Finances can be a major source of stress, so establishing some form of financial wellness allows us to enjoy life with more freedom.
• Occupational: The ability to find satisfaction and value in our work, to feel appreciated by our employer and colleagues, and to find purpose and meaning in what we do. We spend most of our waking hours working, so it should be something that enhances our lives.