Contemporary self-care concept

In 1948, the WHO (World Health Organization) defined the concept of health as "a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Inspired by this definition, Dr. In 1959, Halbert Dunn coined the slogan "wellness" from the words well-being and fitness. Dr. Dunn says that wellness is "a special state of health that encompasses the overall feeling of an individual, who sees that man consists of body, spirit and mind, and that he is dependent on his environment", and "High level of wellness" defines it as an integrated method of functioning that is oriented towards maximizing the results of which the individual is capable. According to more recent definitions, wellness is "a state of health that refers to the harmony of body, mind and spirit, and whose key elements are: self-responsibility, physical activity, beauty care, healthy nutrition, relaxation as a need to eliminate stress, meditation, mental activities, education and awareness of the environment and social contacts" (Müller, Lanz Kaufmann, 2001) Wellness is the opposite of illness and can be described as a positive component of health. Many identify it with the quality of life. Wellness has eight dimensions necessary for the harmonious functioning of the body: 1. Physical - emphasizes the importance of physical activity, movement and exercise. 2. Social – emphasizes the importance of communication and interaction with family, friends and relationships. 3. Professional – emphasizes the importance of individual satisfaction in the profession. 4. Ecological – emphasizes the importance of a healthy environment on human health. 5. Intellectual – emphasizes the importance of learning and meeting new people. 6. Emotional – emphasizes the importance of emotional health. 7. Spiritual dimension – emphasizes the importance of spiritual strength and inner peace, 8. Financial Wellness – a sense of security for your own financial future. It does not necessarily mean having millions in the bank, but doing the most with what you have and that: You spend money wisely within your means, You have control over your daily and monthly finances, You are aware of upcoming debts, installments and bills, You understand how emotions affect money management, You have savings, i.e. to the strength to absorb financial shock, You are on track to achieve your own financial goals and You have the financial freedom to make choices that allow you to enjoy life. Following the above, we can say that wellness represents a holistic approach to health, and a way and style of life. Wellness is a process of continuous improvement of psychological, physical, spiritual and mental health, and holistic health is achieved by conscious action in the areas of physical activity, healthy nutrition, spiritual activities, relaxation, beauty and in quality coexistence with nature and other people. The wellness concept is intended primarily for healthy people who want to stay healthy or improve the quality of their lives, and they do this with the help of quality and professional staff employed in the wellness industry. It should be noted that a wellness center is only a place where part of the wellness philosophy, i.e. the wellness concept, is implemented. Since it has recognized the needs of the modern individual - it is no wonder that wellness has grown into a global movement. Written by: Danijela Rašić, MD Split, 11.12.2012.