EAMS (Nigeria) supports wellness and good health, which has historically been regarded as freedom from diseases in other words, if you weren’t sick, then you were considered healthy. This historical perspective on wellness is changing. While virtually everyone agrees that the absence of illness is a primary component of being healthy, it doesn’t, however, indicate anything about your state of well-being or a combination of both, on the other hand, would result in a safer environment for everyone.

EAMS (Nigeria) considers this to be a state of health; wellness that is closely linked to your lifestyle and the choices you make, with each individual having a responsibility towards himself or herself to provide for the essentials of good health – i.e. proper weight control, good nutrition, physical activity, exercise, and controlling of health risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol and drug use and/or abuse. EAMS (Nigeria) will play a key advisory role vis-à-vis its members in this regard.

Research studies related to wellness indicate that those who take good care of themselves and make healthy lifestyle choices are healthier, happier, more productive, enjoy their life better, and have lower healthcare costs.

An article from the Journal of the American Medical Association (AMA) noted that, in one research study, the “wellness” approach produced a 17% decline in total medical / doctor visits and a 35% reduction in medical / doctor visits for minor illnesses. The participants in this study took part in a year-long self-care education programme.

Since lifestyle and the choices we make have been found to be the most important factors in determining our overall health, it is important for each of us to be educated about health issues globally, to “take charge” of our life and to have healthy lifestyle-related goals. The lifestyle choices we make do have a huge influence on our health and wellness. The secret isn’t in healthcare but in healthy and consistent self-care. EAMS (Nigeria) will play a key role in providing advice on some of the best courses of action.

While classical (Western) medicine is focused on alleviating disease, the wellness approach encourages each of us to take responsibility for our own personal well-being.

Wellness is much more than the simple absence of illness and/or disease. Wellness is a proactive and preventive approach, designed to provide optimum levels of health and of emotional and social functioning.

Wellness involves our recognition that we have psychological, physical and social needs that are necessary for us to attain higher levels of functioning.