Wellness CH.1

Health

A condition with multiple dimensions that falls on a continuum from negative health, characterized by illness and premature death, to positive health, characterized by the capacity to enjoy life and to withstand life's challenges.

Communicable disease

A disease that can be passed from one person to another; also known as an infectious disease; typically caused by a pathogen such as a bacterium or virus.

Non-communicable disease

A disease that is not infectious or contagious; many are chronic diseases that develop over time and are the result of the interplay of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.

Risk factor

A factor that increases susceptibility for the development, onset, or progression of a disease or an injury.

Wellness

An active process of adopting patterns of behavior that can improve health and individual perceptions of well-being and quality of life in terms of multiple, intertwined dimensions.

Physical wellness

Dimension of wellness referring to the complete physical condition and functioning of the body; focuses on behaviors that support physical aspects of health, including diet, exercise, sleep, stress management, and self-care.

Spiritual wellness

Dimension of wellness that focuses on developing a set of values, beliefs, or principles that give meaning and purpose to life and guide one's actions and choices.

Intellectual wellness

Dimension of wellness that focuses on developing and enhancing one's knowledge base and critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Social wellness

Dimension of wellness that focuses on one's ability to develop and maintain positive, healthy, satisfying interpersonal relationships and appropriate support networks.

Emotional wellness

Dimension of wellness that focuses on one's ability to manage and express emotions in constructive and appropriate ways.

Environmental wellness

Dimension of wellness that focuses on the condition and livability of the local environment and the planet as a whole.

Physical fitness

The ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure time activities and to meet the physical demands of any unforeseen emergencies.

Life expectancy

The average number of years people born in a given year are expected to live.