Defining Wellness

doi:10.1017/9781108650182.001

Chapter 1 - Defining Wellness

from Part I - Approach to Wellness

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 September 2020

Waguih William IsHak ,

Amy Mann ,

Angela Liu and

Edited by

Waguih William IsHak: Affiliation:
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

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Summary

Imagine a society comprising individuals who realize their maximal potential in every facet of their lives. In this society, people work together to better their communities and the lives of others. Individually, the citizens are free of disease, physically fit, well-educated masters of their craft, and they engage in a life of recreation and interconnectedness with family, neighbors, and friends while living with purpose and passion. Is this utopia too good to be true? The voice of reason may say life is not perfect; there are too many ever-changing variables. We are familiar with the physical law of entropy stating that randomness, or disorder, increases with time. However, why not aim toward a society as described above? We can strive to be the best version of ourselves, both on the micro, individual level and on the macro, societal level.

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Type: Chapter
Information: The Handbook of Wellness Medicine , pp. 1 - 12

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108650182.001 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2020

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