We know health is not just about the absence of illness, but about how we live every day. It is a state of complete emotional, mental and physical well-being. Our health is the first thing that will allow us to work wonders.
If our health is poor or declining for any reason, we won’t be able to concentrate on anything, including our work or business. Keeping good health can benefit us in many ways and extend our lifespan. Regrettably, what we observe today is an increase in stress and lifestyle-related illnesses.
The World Health Organization defines wellness as a comprehensive condition of vitality and inner harmony, which includes positive emotional well-being, social connections and the capability to adjust to changes in the environment.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights health and well-being as essential for attaining sustainable development. Goal 3, “Good Health and Well-Being,” seeks to guarantee healthy lives and enhance well-being for everyone at every age.
International Wellness Day, observed on Wednesday, April 15, serves as a reminder that health is the result of daily choices rather than extreme measures. When individuals are healthy, they can work, study and contribute effectively to their communities.
It’s a day focused on raising awareness about well-being and motivating people to embrace a healthy way of life.
“Wellness supports quality of life, protects human dignity, and empowers individuals and communities to adopt sustainable lifestyles and safeguard resources for future generations,” stresses the United Nations in a message.
According to the US-based Global Wellness Institute (GWI), wellness is not a passive or static state but rather an “active pursuit” involving intentions, choices, and actions as we strive towards an optimal state of health and well-being.
It is linked to holistic health – that is, it extends beyond physical well-being and encompasses multiple dimensions that should function in harmony. This means that wellness is an individual pursuit – we are responsible for our own choices, behaviours and lifestyles – but it is also significantly influenced by the physical, social and cultural environments in which we live.
At the same time, the economic aspect of wellness is substantial. The global wellness market is a multi-trillion-dollar industry, so countries that become known as wellness hubs can attract significant tourism and investment.
According to GWI estimates, the wellness industry is projected to reach $8.5 trillion by 2027, growing at an annual rate of 8.6 per cent. These impressive figures are not surprising, as wellness now permeates every aspect of our lives — from what we eat and read, to the content we consume, and even how we unwind.
“Not only that, the wellness industry accounts for over 6 per cent of the global GDP,” it says.
However, wars and conflicts have a devastating, multifaceted impact on global well-being, extending far beyond the immediate battlefield to affect physical health, mental stability and environmental integrity.
Conflict-related deaths and injuries significantly contribute to the global burden of disease, with indirect impacts — such as the destruction of health infrastructure and forced displacement — often causing more fatalities than direct violence.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities have become primary strategic targets in many war zones. The destruction of infrastructure and medical centres, combined with difficulties in obtaining clean water and access to medicines, has contributed to the resurgence of epidemic diseases in countries where they were previously eradicated.
Reports indicate that wars and armed conflicts have a profound and devastating impact on global well-being, with one in five people living in conflict-affected areas experiencing a mental health condition.
Conflicts in regions such as the Middle East – specifically involving Iran and Israel – have caused a significant decline in international patient movement and have targeted healthcare infrastructure.
As the United Nations states, “Change starts with us. Strive to resolve differences and conflicts at home, at work, and in your communities peacefully through dialogue and compassion. Treat others with respect, practice empathy and promote understanding.”
So, the greatest wealth is our health and wellness. It matters as it is multidimensional!
