What does the concept of wellness come from?

September 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Though often perceived as a modern trend, the philosophical tenets of wellness are thousands of years old. This idea, which recognizes the holistic harmony of mind, body, and spirit, answers the question of what does the concept of wellness come from? by exploring ancient civilizations and key 20th-century pioneers.

Quick Summary

The concept of wellness draws from ancient practices in India, China, and Greece emphasizing holistic health, but it was formalized in the mid-20th century by public health pioneer Halbert L. Dunn, who defined it as a dynamic, active pursuit beyond the mere absence of disease.

Key Points

Ancient Roots: The concept of wellness has ancient roots in holistic philosophies like Ayurveda from India and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Hippocrates' Contribution: Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates shifted medical focus from divine punishment to lifestyle choices, advocating for disease prevention.
19th-Century Movements: Intellectual and religious movements in the 19th century, such as hydrotherapy and the mind-cure movement, emphasized natural, holistic, and spiritual healing.
Modern Formalization by Halbert L. Dunn: In the mid-20th century, Dr. Halbert L. Dunn introduced the term 'high-level wellness,' defining it as an active, ongoing process beyond the absence of disease.
Multidimensional Expansion: The concept was expanded in the 1970s by figures like Bill Hettler, who developed a multi-dimensional model encompassing physical, emotional, and social factors.
Health vs. Wellness: Health is often seen as a state of being, while wellness is an active, proactive process of pursuing holistic well-being across different life dimensions.
Modern Wellness Industry: The modern wellness movement incorporates ancient wisdom and 20th-century frameworks, though it has also become a global, commercialized industry.

Ancient foundations of holistic health

The origins of wellness are firmly rooted in the holistic health practices of ancient civilizations. For these cultures, health was not merely the absence of illness but a state of balance and harmony across the individual's entire being.

Eastern traditions

Ayurveda (3000 BCE): This ancient Indian system, whose name translates to “the science of life,” is perhaps one of the earliest examples of a wellness framework. Ayurveda focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit to promote optimal health and prevent disease.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (3000–2000 BCE): Another foundational pillar, TCM, applies a holistic perspective to health by cultivating harmony in one's life. Techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and tai chi all aim to balance the body's life force, or Qi.

Western influences

Ancient Greece (c. 500 BCE): Often called the “Father of Western Medicine,” Hippocrates moved beyond the belief that disease was a divine punishment. He argued that illness stemmed from lifestyle choices, diet, and environmental factors, championing prevention over mere treatment.
Ancient Rome (c. 50 BCE): Adopting much of Greek medical philosophy, Roman culture emphasized public health and disease prevention. Their advanced systems of aqueducts, sewers, and public baths were a form of public wellness, aiming to prevent the spread of germs and keep the population healthier.

The 19th-century movements

During the industrial era, a variety of reform movements emerged in the West, rejecting the negative effects of urbanization and the narrow focus of conventional medicine. These movements, though diverse, all contributed to the foundational ideas of modern wellness.

Hydrotherapy and Natural Cures: Figures like German priest Sebastian Kneipp promoted water cures combined with herbalism, exercise, and nutrition. His “Kneipp Cure” provided a holistic, back-to-nature approach to well-being.
The Mind-Cure Movement: In the United States, spiritual and philosophical movements, including Christian Science, emphasized the connection between mental, spiritual, and physical health. Proponents believed that positive thinking and spiritual alignment could influence physical healing, laying the groundwork for the mind-body connection in wellness.
American Temperance Movement: Though known for its stance on alcohol, this movement promoted moderation, self-control, and healthier lifestyle choices, aligning with the core principle of personal responsibility in wellness.

The 20th-century formalization

The term and concept of wellness as we know it today were significantly shaped and popularized in the mid-20th century. Public health expert Dr. Halbert L. Dunn is widely credited as the 'father of the wellness movement' for formalizing the concept.

Halbert L. Dunn and 'High-Level Wellness'

In the late 1950s, Dunn defined “high-level wellness” not as a static state, but as a proactive, ongoing process. His work was a radical departure from the traditional medical model, which focused on treating disease reactively. Dunn's vision emphasized:

Proactive choices: Instead of waiting for illness, individuals should actively pursue health through conscious lifestyle choices.
Holistic integration: He stressed the harmony of body, mind, and spirit, influencing the multidimensional models of wellness that would follow.
Maximizing potential: His definition centered on maximizing an individual's potential within their environment, moving toward a higher level of functioning.

Key figures and further development

Dunn's work inspired others who would expand and popularize the concept in the 1970s:

John Travis: A physician who was heavily influenced by Dunn, Travis opened the first wellness resource center in California in 1975. He developed a "Wellness Continuum" and tools to help people assess their well-being, further solidifying the concept of wellness as a self-directed process.
Bill Hettler: As a co-founder of the National Wellness Institute in 1976, Hettler developed a six-dimensional model of wellness, which has been expanded over time. This model further solidified the idea that wellness is multidimensional, encompassing physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, and occupational factors.

The modern and globalized movement

In the late 20th and 21st centuries, the wellness movement has gone mainstream, expanding globally and becoming increasingly accessible through workplace wellness programs, the fitness industry, and the rise of personal wellness technologies. The Global Wellness Institute (GWI) now tracks the wellness economy and its continuous growth.

However, this commercialization has also led to a significant shift, sometimes associating wellness with luxury and status rather than its original holistic intent. Despite this, the foundational pillars of ancient wisdom and Dunn's pioneering work remain, guiding the movement's core message of holistic, proactive well-being.

Comparison: Health vs. Wellness


Feature	Health	Wellness
Focus	A state of being, often defined by the absence of disease.	An active, ongoing process of making choices toward a fulfilling life.
Approach	Often reactive; seeking treatment after illness or injury occurs.	Proactive and preventative; taking steps to sustain well-being regardless of current status.
Scope	Typically addresses physical and mental conditions using objective metrics like blood pressure or lab results.	Multi-dimensional, considering physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects.
Outcome	Measured by objective medical metrics, such as symptom reduction.	Subjective and growth-oriented, focusing on emotional fulfillment and quality of life.

Conclusion

The concept of wellness is a rich tapestry woven from diverse historical threads. From the ancient preventative philosophies of Ayurveda and Hippocrates to the 19th-century natural healing movements, and finally to the modern formalization by public health pioneers like Halbert L. Dunn, its evolution reveals a consistent human desire for a more complete and harmonious existence. By understanding where this concept comes from, we can better appreciate its depth and ongoing importance in today's world.

For more in-depth information on the various dimensions of holistic well-being, see the guide provided by the Creative Health Care Management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Halbert L. Dunn, a public health expert, is widely known as the 'father of the wellness movement' for defining 'high-level wellness' in the 1950s as a proactive, holistic pursuit rather than the absence of illness.

Ancient philosophies like Indian Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasized the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit, a holistic view that is central to modern wellness concepts.

Health is typically viewed as a state of being, often measured by objective factors like the absence of disease. Wellness, in contrast, is an active, intentional process of making choices toward a more fulfilling and successful existence.

While models vary, core dimensions typically include physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, and occupational wellness. Some modern models have expanded this list to include financial and environmental wellness.

Yes, ancient Greek physician Hippocrates advocated for disease prevention through healthy lifestyle choices, diet, and environment, a fundamental principle of modern wellness.

The 19th century saw various movements, including hydrotherapy and the mind-cure movement, that focused on natural, holistic, and mind-body approaches to healing in response to industrialization.

No, while the term was formalized recently, the philosophical concepts behind wellness—such as holistic health and preventative care—are rooted in ancient civilizations and traditions thousands of years old.