Defining Wellness: Toxic Wellness Culture (Part 1)

Let me get right to it: wellness culture is toxic. A little less abrasively stated, wellness culture may have the right intention, but the impact is concerning. The term “wellness” has been used to promote an agenda set by someone else and often sends a message that actually contradicts wellness.  

Unfortunately, wellness is a term that has, over time, been attached to belief systems that I not only reject, but I actively work to dispel. For example, the term wellness has been used in diet culture, upholding fatphobia and deepening the belief that skinny is healthy or pretty. 

As much as I wish wellness culture was not toxic, I cannot, in good faith, neglect to bring attention to and address this topic. Perhaps that is because I love my understanding of wellness. As a professional counselor, I tend to focus on developing and strengthening mental wellness. As an academic, I have studied wellness and have built an informed opinion about what wellness is based on theory. I had to, and still have to, resist the unhelpful, often harmful views of wellness that are spread. 

6 Perspectives of Wellness

Where do we begin? Let’s start by looking at wellness. I encourage you to build your own definition of wellness based on what feels best for you. Below are a few definitions and perspectives to consider.  

Wellness is striving for a deeper understanding and perception of self. 

In other words, wellness is not self-improvement. In fact, the start of a “wellness” journey may bring up “stuff” too quickly and not feel so good at first. Yes, self-improvement can come from focusing on wellness, but it is a by-product, not something to be sought after. 

Wellness acknowledges and develops multiple areas of the self. 

I am a woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend, counselor, researcher, artist, learner, survivor, teacher, and so much more. Each of these parts are what complete me. Chances are likely your multiple areas of self are not the same as mine, thus our wellness goals won’t look the same. 

Wellness is a pursuit of holism, focused on integrated expression. Wellness is a harmonious connection between mind and body. 

This is my fancy way of saying, wellness is about figuring out the different things in life that make us complete and how these things can exist together. What are the multiple parts that make you, you? How are these parts connected and how do you express them? Wellness is about how these pieces fit together to complete your puzzle. Your wellness cannot be defined by someone else. The pieces that complete you cannot be based on the expectations of others. 

Wellness is a level of health, attained through coherent and connected functioning.

Health, like wellness, must be individualized. What works for one person, likely will not work for another. Thus, there cannot be a set standard or definition of your wellness or your health. The word health, like wellness, has been manipulated to push agendas, such as diet culture. You can be “well” and have physical ailments. 

Wellness is a balancing act, not unmoving.

It is less about an exact balance and more about a constant, sustainable flux. Rather than a singular balance point, it is finding the range in which you can move that feels best for you. 

Wellness is the consideration of the emotional, spiritual, physical, intellectual, environmental, social, financial, and occupational self. 

Contrary to what toxic wellness culture will tell us, we do not have to make certain changes to each of these specific areas to reach the “right” level of wellness. Considering these parts, knowing our own unique options, and making our own choices, is what is important for individual wellness. 

Before Part 2

              I cannot stress enough that the intent in addressing this topic is to provide a perspective and encourage us to think about what we accept as true when it comes to wellness. I hope we can engage in critical reflection of our knowledge and remain open to creating our own definitions of wellness. Keep in mind, these posts are only a small piece of the larger topic and cannot possibly paint the entire picture. While I present six possible perspectives of wellness, there are countless others, including the one you create for your own life.

I would love to hear the unique perspective you have on wellness!