1. Wellness, as first introduced by the physician
Halbert Dunn in a 1961 publication called “High
Level Wellness”, was described as “a lifestyle
approach for pursuing elevated states of
physical and psychological well-being”. In a
retardation of the original definition, the term,
in the five decades since then, has essentially
come to be associated with health, its
awareness, prevention and other primarily
treatment-oriented concepts.
However, if you have been watching allied
industries closely, you would have noticed a
shift sometime at the turn of the twenty first
century. I would like to believe that perhaps, it
has not been as much a shift in offerings as it
has been one in perception.
The focus of wellness has expanded - from the
traditional ‘health and well-being’ offerings to
today’s more contemporary concerns about
adapting to new realities. From being just an
approach towards keeping illness away, to a
more holistic philosophy of embracing the
principles of good health – which is not only
physical but mental and spiritual as well.
I have not failed to notice that with a change in
individual perception, there has been a

2. comparable transformation in consumer
curiosity in the wellness segment as well. Over
the last decade or so, consumer interest has
fawned over extended domains of the wellness
industry: exercise, fitness, nutrition, stress
management, critical thinking, spirituality,
effective relationships, beauty and
rejuvenation. Not only do we want to feel
healthy and fit all the time, we wish for a
flatter tummy, toned muscles, glowing skin, a
stress-free mind and clear goals in life –
aspirational prototypes of the fitness
advertiser.
One positive outcome of this is the fact that
even as we are becoming more aware of the
need for wellness in our lives, we are also
willing to assume responsibility for it – to
choose the quality of our lives, to shape a
healthy lifestyle and to key in the principles
that are required to do the same.
Wellness is the new sunrise industry and as a
proponent, I am happy to note that people
now better appreciate the value of what it
means to be healthy, as opposed to not just
being ‘not sick’. To me, the components of a
healthy lifestyle include physical fitness, a
positive outlook, an integrated lifestyle, high

3. self-esteem, freedom from addictions of a
negative nature, a capacity to cope with life’s
challenges and an ability to achieve a sense of
mental and spiritual balance.
If you were to take stock of how you fare in
the above areas, where do you think you
would stand?
I’d love to hear your thoughts…
Welcome to my blog, a place where I hope to
cover the latest in wellness and wellness
trends. Do write in with your feedback and
contribute to my knowledge by reporting on
what goes on in your part of the world.