Wellness vs Wellbeing: The Difference

I was walking through a new shopping mall the other day. You know that smell of fresh paint and plaster? It was still there. Two of the first shops open were a pharmacy and a liquor store. I just stood there for a second. One place to fix what’s broken. The other to numb what hurts. And I thought, isn’t that exactly how we’re living?

Everywhere you look, people are either trying to repair themselves or escape themselves. And somewhere along the way, stress became a badge of honour.

The other day, I overheard a woman on the phone. Someone must’ve asked her how she was, because her answer came back instantly: “Busy, busy!” Like it was proof she was doing life right. We even say, “He’s done well for himself,” and we mean: he’s made money. As if that’s the only measure that matters.

But here’s the thing. Wellness and wellbeing are not the same. And until we see the difference, we’ll keep chasing one and missing the other. Wellness is the doing. The workouts, the healthy eating, the meditation app, the breathing techniques. Wellbeing is the being. The quiet ease when your mind, body, emotions and deeper self are in sync.

For me, wellbeing is like a car with four wheels:

Health.
Profession.
Relationships.
Self.

If one wheel’s flat, the ride feels rough. But most of us are driving around with only one or two wheels pumped up, usually health or money, and wondering why we’re not getting anywhere.

You can be fit and eat well every day, and still feel empty. You can be wealthy and still be running on fumes inside.

So what if we measured success differently? Not just by career or cash, but by joy. By peace. By connection. And it’s not complicated to start. Make rest part of the plan, not the reward. Ask yourself about your purpose as often as you ask about your to-do list. Bring mindfulness into ordinary moments, not just “practice time.”

Wellness is the toolkit. Wellbeing is the life you build with it.

And maybe next time someone asks, “How are you?” you’ll pause…
and answer from somewhere deeper than “Busy, busy.”