Health and Wellness Weekly - What's in a name?

Health and wellness, same thing aren't they? Well to most people probably yes, but to most people health is feeling good, right? Nope.

Are you healthy when you have cancer but don't know it? You might feel good but you certainly aren't healthy. So defining health as feeling good isn't enough.

The World Health Organisation defines health as -

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."
http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html

So basically it's when your body works right.What about wellness then, isn't that the same thing? Nope.

"Wellness is an active, lifelong process of assuming personal responsibility that empowers the individual to exercise choice, make informed decisions and take action towards a more balanced, dynamically sustainable and fulfilling existence."
Chiropractors Association Of Australia

So wellness is about what you can do to maintain and promote your health. It can be broken down into the acronym D.R.E.A.M. (thanks to Dr Brian Stenzler)

Diet- Everything that goes into your body, including the food you eat, water you drink, air your breath, plus books, magazines, movies, tv, radio, lotions and potions.

Relaxation - Sleep, prayer, meditation, chillin' out.

Exercise - Everything you do - cardiovascular training, resistance training, walking to the shops plus mental exercises such as work and crossword puzzles

Adjustment - Adjustment refers to the communication between your brain and your body being at it's optimal. Spinal misalignments can interfere with this communication, which can be corrected with chiropractic care.

Mental health - How happy are you? What's your self esteem like? Are you setting and meeting your goals and aspirations? Do you use affirmations? What is your life's purpose?

So how's your DREAM going? Everyday we are faced with choices which can improve our health or lead us to disease. Empower yourself by making concious choices for a stronger healthier you.