What process refers to acquiring and maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and social health?

The process of acquiring and maintaining physical, mental, emotional, and social health is encapsulated in the concept of wellness. Wellness is an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. It involves a holistic approach that considers not just physical health but also mental, emotional, and social dimensions, ensuring that individuals strive for a state of optimal health and well-being.

Wellness requires ongoing self-evaluation and personal responsibility for one’s own health, encouraging individuals to engage in behaviors that promote a balanced lifestyle rather than merely the absence of illness. This includes aspects such as healthy eating, regular physical activity, emotional resilience, and strong social connections, which all contribute to overall well-being.

In contrast, health management refers to strategies and techniques used to manage health conditions or resources and may not encompass the broader concept of well-being as wellness does. While fitness typically relates to physical capabilities and exercise, it does not include mental and emotional components that are integral to wellness. Therefore, wellness is the most comprehensive term that fully encompasses the processes related to achieving and sustaining good health in all dimensions.