Physical Fitness: The Benefits Of Staying Fit -By Felicity Tarkighir

Wellness is more than just physical health, it is a holistic and multidimensional. it comprises six dimensions that include physical, intellectual, emotional, environmental, social and spiritual wellness.

People often use the terms health and wellness interchangeably. Although a person cannot have one and not the other, they are two different concepts that are quite variable, and their meanings are different. World health organisation (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (illness).

WHO defines wellness as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups” and wellness is expressed as a” positive approach to living”.

The primary differences between health and wellness is that health is a goal and wellness is the active process of achieving it you truly cannot have health without first achieving wellness. Wellness has a direct influence on overall health, which is essential for living a robust happy, and fulfilled life.

HEALTH VERSUS WELLNESS
While you cannot choose the state of health, you can consciously choose wellness by living your life responsibly and taking proactive steps for your well-being.

• Health comprises the diagnosis of disease/illness, predisposition to a disease and any unexpected injury.
• Wellness is an active process of growth and change to reach your fullest health and well-being. It is associated with actively pursuing activities, making choices and lifestyle change controling risks factors that can harm a person, focusing on nutrition having a balanced diet, and following spiritual practice that lead to holistic health.

SOME OF THE RISK FACTORS THAT CAN BE HARMFUL TO GOOD HEALTH INCLUDE:-

1. Drinking alcohol: it can cause liver damage, stroke, heart disease and cancer.
2. Smoking: it is a major risk factor for lung cancer and cardiovascular disease.
3. Extreme physical activity/ sports: this may lead to broken bones and other types of injuries.
4. Unprotected sex: it spreads sexually transmitted disease including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

HERE ARE THE SIX (6) DIMENSIONS OF WELLNESS.
1. Physical: physical wellness increases physical fitness by being physically fit, a person would have an enhanced ability to prevent illness and disease. Exercise stimulates a healthy mind and body.
2. Intellectual: mental exercise and engagement through problem solving, and creativity support intellectual wellness and promote a better attitude. People who learn new things and challenge their mind can avoid mental health problems.
3. Emotional: a person with emotional wellness can deal with stressful situations. A person who is aware of their own feelings has good self-esteem, and has empathy towards others feelings would have emotional wellness.
4. Environmental: awareness of the role we play in improving our natural environment rather than denigrating it and maintaining and living in a healthy physical environment free of hazards promotes wellness.
5. Social: Social circles and supports networks are invaluable to the overall well-being of a person, regards elating Interacting and contributing to a community. Establishing long term relationship’s with family and friends keep a person happier and healthier.
6. Spiritual: spiritual wellness does not imply religion or faith of a person, but the search for meaning and purpose of human existence. Developing compassion, caring, for giving and having a purpose in life help in spiritual wellness. This can be achieved through meditation, volunteer work. Spending time in nature etc.

On one end, patients with poor health engage with medical fraternity to treat illnesses. On the other end,people focus proactively on prevention and maximize their vitality. They adopt lifestyles that improve health, prevent disease, and enhance their quality of life and a sense of well-being. Wellness is proactive, preventive, and driven by self- responsibility for healthy living.

Felicity Tarkighir
Mass communication student Borno state university Maiduguri.