Is wellbeing the same as wellness - and how can you improve yours?

 It's been many years since I first dove into the concept of wellbeing, and trust me—it’s not easy to define! As a qualitative researcher, I’ve spent time studying how dance affects people with learning disabilities and how spending time outdoors influences emotions. The challenge? Wellbeing can feel incredibly subjective. It’s not just the presence or absence of illness or how many steps you take daily. It’s also about how you feel and think about your overall state of being. Yet, interestingly, it’s still considered a reliable predictor of health outcomes (Satisfaction with Life Index).

A Quick Look at Wellbeing Meanings Across the Globe

It starts with how we define it… or does it?

Interestingly, there’s no single international definition of wellbeing (National Library of Medicine), despite its use as a measure of national success worldwide. In the UK, for instance, wellbeing is linked to life satisfaction (Office for National Statistics).​ The World Happiness Report and research by the OECD emphasize the multi-dimensional nature of wellbeing. They measure wellbeing across various aspects like income, employment, social support, health, and life satisfaction, further validating that wellbeing is more than just physical health.

So, How Do We Know If We’re in a Good State of Wellbeing?

Traditionally, wellbeing was understood as simply the absence of illness. But modern neuroscience, led by experts like Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, gives us a broader view. According to her research, wellbeing is about balance and flexibility—it’s not about getting rid of discomfort but rather learning to manage and adapt. And it is very personal. For example, some people thrive in stressful situations, while others may struggle. Your wellbeing depends on how well you balance these ups and downs.Wellbeing, in this sense, is dynamic, involving self-regulation, nurturing relationships, and reflection​ (Big Think)

Enter Wellness: What's the Difference?

Here’s where things can get confusing.

We often hear ‘wellness’ and ‘wellbeing’ used interchangeably, but they’re not quite the same thing. Wellness (which has ancient medicinal origins) —popularized in the late 1950s by Dr. Halbert L. Dunn—is a more focused, proactive approach to living a healthy lifestyle. It’s about making sure your body is well through nutrition, exercise, and self-care, and mindfulness practices. Wellness is just one strand of the much broader concept of wellbeing, which includes physical, mental, emotional, and social health (Gallup).  Think of it as one important part of a larger, layered wellbeing pie.

A chart showing the 5 areas of life that make up wellbeing, physical health, emotional health, mental health, purpose and fulfilment, and social health.

If you want to break it down further, wellbeing can be likened to a pie with five parts:  

- Physical health: Looking at eating well and staying active.

- Mental health: Managing stress and nurturing your mind.

- Emotional health: Having balance with thoughts and emotions.

- Social health: Meaningful connections with others.

- Purpose & Fulfillment: Meaning in what you do/your activities and values.

Research supports this framework (Gallup), but it’s important to note that this wellbeing pie can change over time depending on your stage in life. For example, retirees who stay active and engaged in hobbies report much higher levels of wellbeing than those who don’t (Age UK).

The Science Behind Wellbeing

The science behind wellbeing is fascinating. For years, researchers have studied how different factors influence our overall sense of happiness and satisfaction. For example, according to the World Health Organization, health is defined as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1948). This definition has shaped how governments and organizations look at wellbeing—not just as a marker of personal health, but as a measure of a country’s progress. In the UK, wellbeing is measured through life satisfaction surveys, showing that how people feel about their lives matters just as much as hard economic figures.

Small Changes That Can Make a Big Difference

We often think that getting better wellbeing requires major life overhauls, but the reality is that small, consistent actions can make the most significant difference. Neuroscientific research tells us that managing our daily habits—like reducing social media time or nurturing meaningful relationships—can have a huge impact on how we feel (Big Think).

Here are some practical tips:

- Manage your digital diet: Try limiting your social media use to specific times of the day. Studies have shown that constant scrolling can negatively impact your mental health by increasing feelings of inadequacy and stress, anxiety and loneliness (American Journal of Preventive Medicine).

- Strengthen your connections: Focus on nurturing relationships with family, friends, or even colleagues. Research shows that having a strong social support network is one of the biggest contributors to overall wellbeing.

- Start with just 15 minutes a day: I’m a big believer in the power of small, consistent actions, which is why I developed the 15 Minute Me Method. Dedicate just 15 minutes a day to something that nurtures your wellbeing—whether that’s meditation, a walk, or a creative activity.

Building Habits That Last

Let’s be honest—building and maintaining habits that boost your wellbeing can be challenging. It’s easy to start strong, but as time goes on, we often lose motivation. That’s why community support is key. When you have others cheering you on and holding you accountable, it’s much easier to stick with your goals.

In fact, studies show that people who pursue wellbeing goals with a supportive group are far more likely to succeed. It is important to join a space where people can come together, share their wins, and encourage each other to keep going. Accountability and connection can make all the difference when it comes to sustaining long-term change.

Wellbeing is a Lifelong Journey

The most important thing to remember about wellbeing is that it’s not a one-time goal. It’s a lifelong practice that requires regular check-ins and adjustments. Your needs will change, and so will the strategies you use to stay balanced.

Take a moment to reflect on your own wellbeing. Which areas could use a little more attention? Whether it’s carving out time for yourself or reaching out to a friend, small steps today can lead to big improvements in how you feel in your everyday. And that’s where we spend most of our time, after all.