Health and wellness are often used interchangeably, though the concepts do have some variances that deserve recognition. But what is the difference between health and wellness and how can you actively work to achieve both? Find out the pressing questions regarding wellness vs health here!
Allah SWT has made this world beautiful for us to enjoy. He says in the Quran, “We put in this world, the means for you to live well”. He has given us Islam, which doesn’t deny us the opportunity to live well in this world, to enjoy and attain pleasures here.
What Is Health and Wellness?
Understanding health vs wellness begins by isolating their respective definitions:
The Definitions of Health and Wellness
Health:
Defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Furthermore, the primary determinants of health include social, economic, and physical environments, along with the person’s individual characteristics and behaviors without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.
Wellness:
Then, “What is wellness?” you may ask?
The WHO defines wellness as “the optimal state of health individuals and groups” and is also expressed as “a positive approach to living.” And according to Merriam-Webster, wellness is “the quality of state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.”
Cohesively, wellness is an active and dynamic process of change and growth to reach one’s fullest potential and aims to enhance overall wellbeing. Wellness is also comprised of eight different components, including emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellness.
How does a healthy lifestyle improve our Ibaadah and bring us closer to Allah SWT?
Many of us don’t realise that eating a healthy balanced diet, doing regular exercises and providing proper rest to our body can affect our Ibadah.
Our Prophet SAW said, “The worst vessel to fill is our stomach”. He always discouraged overeating.
Prophet SAW used to exercise. Taking part in sports was one of his Sunnahs. He personally engaged in and encouraged others to be a part of sports such as wrestling, running, horse riding, swimming and archery.
Maintaining physical health should be an important goal for every Muslim. It not only allows one to live a longer life, but also confers numerous emotional, psychological and most importantly spiritual benefits.
Islam’s perception of good diet and recreation to attain physical well being can be deemed as a vehicle to attaining spiritual and moral fitness. Indeed we may need reminding that striving for good physical health is a form of worship when performed with the sincere intention of attaining the pleasure of Allah.
