The Early Origins of Wellness

The Early Origins of the Wellness Concept

“Wellness” – a modern word with a very old history. The concept of wellness dates back to 3000 BC. Here we will take a look at the very early origins of the concept of wellness.

The Global Wellness Summit defines “Wellness” as –
 “the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyle that lead to a state of holistic wellness”.

So let's take a quick look at the early influences and the leaders in wellness, who got us to where we are today - and we thank them!

Ayurveda 3000-1500 BC
Ancient wellness is rooted in the originally oral tradition of Ayurveda, later written and recorded four hindu texts called Vedas. Ayurveda originated in India 3000 – 1500 BC and is attributed to Atharva Veda where mention is made of several diseases with their treatments. Ayurveda has remained largely unchanged since it’s origin.
 
Ayurveda is tailored to each persons unique constitution including their nutritional, exercise, social interaction and hygiene needs. The goal is to maintain balance to prevent illness. Meditation and yoga feature highly in the tradition.

Traditional Chinese Medicine 3000 – 2000 BC
Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM as it is also known is one of the oldest systems of medicine. TCM is highly influenced by Buddhism and Taoism employing a holistic perspective, creating harmony in your life to achieve health and wellness.
 
The TCM system of medicine aims to prevent or heal disease by maintain or restoring yingyang balance. According to TCM, a person is healthy when harmony exists between these two forces; illness, on the other hand, results from a breakdown in the equilibrium of yin and yang.

TCM approaches  are still used today include acupuncture, herbal medicine, qi qong and tai chi.

Ancient Greek Medicine 500 BC
Hippocrates is possibly the first physician to focus on preventing sickness instead of simply treating disease. He argued that disease is a product of diet, lifestyle and environmental factors.
 
The work of Hippocrates led to the study of the cause of disease rather than looking solely at the symptoms when prescribing a cure.

Ancient Roman Medicine 50 BC
With an emphasis on disease prevention, the Romans adopted a Greek belief that illness was a product of diet and lifestyle. Thanks to the Roman’s public health system that included extensive drainage, swears and public baths, the spread of disease and germs was prevented to maintain a healthier population.

The 19th Century
During this era there is a proliferation of change with new intellectual movements, medical practices and spiritual philosophies. The focus became self healing and a number of new alternative health care methods arose, these included:

• homeopathy
• naturopathy
• chiropractic
• osteopathy 
• mind-curve movements, etc

This era was instrumental in the idea that a primary source of physical health is one's mental and spiritual state of being, that a healthy body was the product of a healthy mind and spirit. These then "whacky" thought's are now widely accepted and thriving in the wellness movement.

1790's - German physician Christina Hahnemann develops homeopathy.
1860's - German priest Sebastian Kneipp introduces his "Kniepp Cure". Hydrotherapy combined with herbalism, exercise and nutrition.
1880's - Swiss physical Maximilian Bircher-Benner pioneers nutrimental research, advocating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables. At the same time the YMCA lunches the first wellness organisation, based on developing mind, body and spirit.
1890's -Daniel Palmer developed chiropractic. 
1990's - John Harvey Kellogg tells the world "a healthy diet, exercise, fresh air and hydrotherapy" are what we need in learning to stay well.
1910's - A low point where the Carnegie Report critiques North America's medical education system for lack of scientific rigour and standards. This resulted in most alternative systems being dropped from mainstream medicine.

The 20th Century
Things get serious, from 1980 - 2000 the wellness movement begins to gain momentum. Wellness is taken more seriously by corporate, medical and academics. Government start to fund projects and programs aimed at and promoting a healthier lifestyle.

Later in the 20th Century, man major corporations began developing workplace wellness programs. Industries like the fitness and spa business experienced rapid growth. Celebrities got on board and endorsed and espoused the benefits of wellness and associated concepts.

However, even with all the developments and endorsements, this momentum was not yet termed or joined under the banner of a "wellness industry".

The 21st Century
In the 21st century, the global wellness movement and market reached a dramatic tipping point: fitness, diet, healthy living and wellbeing concepts and offerings are available everywhere and anywhere. There is now a wellness concept in every industry from travel, to food and beverages.

By 2014 more than half of the world's employers were using health promotion strategies and investing in health and wellness programs. "Wellness" becomes a household word.

2008 - Bhutan includes in their constitution "The State shall strive to promote those conditions that will enable the pursuit of Gross National Happiness."
2011-2018 - New tax laws introduced on soda.sugar drinks.
​2014 - Worlds first annual World Happiness Report was released, it still continues to this day.

Today wellness is a household term and a wellness expenditures are around $7.3 trillion, the wellness industry represents 5.3 percent of global economic input and the market is growing at about 6.5% annually. Not to mention the impact wellness has on our lives, reducing disease and global problems like obesity and reducing our reliance on traditional medicine.

Well College Global

Concept - Global Wellness Summit