Defining Characteristics of Wellness
In helping to realize the many benefits of wellness, we have identified the following common
characteristics that distinguish the wellness paradigm. These characteristics are applicable to a
wide range of human experience such as personal growth, family, education, community
development, medical care, coaching and work.
1.
2.
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4.
Wellness is aspiring towards optimal health and full-potential.
Wellness is positive and affirming.
Wellness is multi-dimensional and holistic. (See sample dimensions)
Wellness is relationship building and integrative.
Does your life, program or group embody these characteristics? If they do, you can be relatively
certain that you are within the wellness paradigm. If these characteristics are not present, your
efforts would be better identified as falling outside of the wellness paradigm.
Many efforts that use the term wellness are not taking full advantage of the wellness paradigm.
We encourage the use of the term wellness when the activity embodies all the defining wellness
characteristics or aspires to do so.
Wellness Definitions
Those of us who promote and live wellness enjoy a great gift that often defies simple description.
Two wellness pioneers, Bill Hettler and Bob Allen, reported that the best definition is "The one
you actually use!” Words like love, kindness, community, connectedness, personal mastery,
salutogenic, healing, resilience, passion, peace, pleasure, spirit, fitness, excellence and balance
help to describe wellness. Wellness can also be seen as an optimal state of being and in terms of
lifestyle practices. For many years, NWI has defined wellness as “a process of becoming aware
and making choices toward a more successful existence.” However, we have found many good
definitions for wellness. We encourage you to barrow from these definitions and then create your
own definition that works for you.
Wellness is appropriate for every human endeavor. Carry the banner of wellness high and inspire
others to pursue their own special interpretation of the wellness vision.
Sample Definitions
Please send in your definition to the National Wellness Institute so we can add it to the sample
list.
Wellness is a process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more
successful existence. (Bill Hettler)
Wellness is the integration of mind, body and spirit—the appreciation that everything you
do, and think, and feel, and believe has an impact on your state of health and the health of
the world. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is a choice—a decision you make to move toward optimal health. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is a way of life—a lifestyle you design to achieve your highest potential for
wellbeing. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is a process—a developing awareness that there is no end point, but that health
and happiness are possible in each moment, here and now. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is a balanced channeling of energy—energy received from the environment,
transformed within you, and returned to affect the world around you. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is the integration of body, mind, and spirit—the appreciation that everything
you do, and think, and feel, and believe has an impact on your state of health and the
health of the world. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is the loving acceptance of yourself. (Jack Travis)
Wellness is being all you can be. (Irv Moore)
Wellness is lifestyle artistry. (Don Ardell)
Sample Dimensions of Wellness
Please send the National Wellness Institute information about the dimensions you are using so
we can add it to the sample list.
Mind, body and spirit (YMCA)
Social, occupational, intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual (Bill Hettler)
Meaning and purpose, lifestyle and mental domains. (Don Ardell)
Economic, social, spiritual and physical (Individual Wellness, Judd Allen)
Healthy fun, mutual respect, full potential, self responsibility (Cultural Wellness Values,
Judd Allen)