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One day, in a moment of inspiration, and an attempt to procrastinate from studying for my anatomy test, I sent my health conscious sister a text, "Is welletic a word?" She responded, "I don't think so, but it should be!" And hence, the word welletic was born. I began to see welletic people everywhere: the friendly, glowing yogi at the local yoga studio, the friend who gave me gentle, sage life advice, the Facebook GIF of the baby dancing with a diaper on its head (You've seen that one, right? Hilarious!)

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When the cashier at the grocery store asked me how I was doing, I was tempted to say, "I am feeling quite welletic today!" But, being a word of my own creation, I suspected I'd be met with a blank stare and awkward silence. Before I formally introduced welletic to the world, I needed to answer a very important question. What exactly does welletic mean?

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The suffix -etic is used to form adjectives meaning "pertaining to." It is derived from the Greek -etikos. So, welletic means pertaining to well or wellness. Which brings us to another, somewhat complicated question.

 

What is wellness? Exactly.

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Charles B. Corbin of Arizona State University gives this definition: “Wellness is a multidimensional state of being describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life and a sense of well-being.” I like that. Wellness truly embraces complete physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing and wholeness.

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We can imagine what it means to be an athletic person - physically fit, agile, capable of feats of strength. And, we've all known that energetic child whose liveliness is part inspiring, part exhausting.

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Likewise, a welletic woman embodies the qualities of feminine wellness. She embraces and works with her natural womaness: her biorhythms, her unique anatomy, her innate strength of femininity. Without apology. She recognizes wellness is a continuous process toward improvement. She embraces the idea that wellness encompasses not just diet and exercise, but lifestyle, and mental and emotional health prosperity. She does not "just live with" pain and dysfunction, because, ​she realizes that seeking wellness for herself is not selfish. It benefits everyone she cares for and interacts with. You can't pour from an empty cup. 

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If the idea of embarking on a journey towards becoming a welletic woman excites you, I would be honored to be your guide. And, the next time you are faced with the question, "How are you?" You will be able to honestly, and enthusiastically, proclaim -- "I am feeling quite welletic today!"  

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Much Wellness,

Jenica

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