Inglés para Salud y Bienestar: Vocabulario Esencial

"aerobic exercise"

Physical activity that raises the heart rate and uses oxygen to fuel muscles over a sustained period, improving cardiovascular endurance.

"Her physiotherapist recommended thirty minutes of aerobic exercise five days a week to improve her heart health."

"resistance training"

Exercise that works muscles against an opposing force — such as weights, bands, or bodyweight — to build strength, muscle mass, and bone density.

"The personal trainer added resistance training sessions twice a week to complement her running routine."

"high-intensity interval training (HIIT)"

A workout method alternating short bursts of maximum-effort exercise with brief recovery periods, boosting fitness in less time.

"She lost eight kilograms over four months by replacing long jogs with three HIIT sessions per week."

"recovery"

The process by which the body repairs muscle tissue, replenishes energy stores, and adapts to training stress after exercise.

"The coach emphasised that adequate sleep and nutrition are as important as training itself for recovery."

"warm-up"

Low-intensity activity performed before exercise to gradually increase heart rate, blood flow, and joint mobility, reducing injury risk.

"Skipping the warm-up is one of the most common mistakes beginners make at the gym."

"reps and sets"

Repetitions (reps) are single complete movements of an exercise; sets are groups of consecutive reps performed without rest.

"The programme prescribed four sets of twelve reps of squats with ninety seconds of rest between each set."

"progressive overload"

The principle of gradually increasing training stress — through weight, volume, or intensity — to continually challenge the body and stimulate adaptation.

"By applying progressive overload each week, he increased his bench press by 20 kilograms over three months."

"flexibility"

The range of motion available at a joint, influenced by the extensibility of muscles and connective tissue, improved through stretching.

"Regular yoga practice significantly improved her flexibility and reduced the lower back pain she had experienced for years."

"macronutrients"

The three main nutrients the body needs in large amounts for energy and growth: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

"The dietitian helped him track his macronutrients and increase his protein intake to support muscle growth."

"micronutrients"

Vitamins and minerals required by the body in small amounts to support metabolism, immune function, and tissue repair.

"Blood tests revealed she was deficient in several key micronutrients, including vitamin D and iron."

"caloric deficit"

The state of consuming fewer calories than the body burns, which forces the body to draw on stored fat for energy, leading to weight loss.

"His nutritionist calculated a moderate caloric deficit of 500 calories per day to achieve gradual, sustainable weight loss."

"glycaemic index (GI)"

A scale from 0 to 100 ranking carbohydrate-containing foods by how quickly they raise blood glucose levels after consumption.

"Her doctor advised choosing low glycaemic index foods like legumes and whole grains to help manage her blood sugar levels."

"fibre"

Indigestible plant-based carbohydrates that support digestive health, feed beneficial gut bacteria, and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

"Increasing her daily fibre intake through vegetables and whole grains reduced her cholesterol levels noticeably."

"hydration"

The process of maintaining adequate fluid levels in the body to support cellular function, temperature regulation, and physical performance.

"The athletic trainer reminded the team that even mild dehydration can significantly impair performance, so hydration must be monitored constantly."

"anti-inflammatory diet"

An eating pattern rich in vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, and omega-3 fatty acids that reduces chronic inflammation in the body.

"After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she adopted an anti-inflammatory diet and noticed reduced joint swelling within weeks."

"portion control"

The practice of managing the size of food servings to regulate calorie intake and maintain a healthy weight without eliminating entire food groups.

"Her nutritionist recommended using smaller plates as a simple strategy to support portion control at home."

"cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)"

A structured, evidence-based form of psychotherapy that identifies and changes negative thought patterns and behaviours to improve emotional wellbeing.

"After twelve sessions of cognitive behavioural therapy, her anxiety levels had decreased significantly and she was sleeping much better."

"burnout"

A state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged workplace stress, characterised by cynicism, detachment, and reduced effectiveness.

"Her doctor diagnosed burnout after months of working fourteen-hour days left her unable to concentrate or feel motivated."

"resilience"

The capacity to recover from adversity, trauma, or significant stress and adapt positively to difficult life circumstances.

"The therapist helped her develop resilience by identifying her strengths and building a support network she could rely on."

"anxiety disorder"

A group of mental health conditions characterised by persistent, excessive worry or fear that interferes significantly with daily functioning.

"His generalised anxiety disorder made it difficult to focus at work and affected his relationships until he began therapy."

"coping strategies"

Thoughts, behaviours, or actions a person uses to manage stress, reduce negative emotions, and navigate difficult situations.

"His therapist helped him identify healthy coping strategies such as journalling, exercise, and talking to trusted friends."

"self-care"

Intentional activities and practices a person engages in to maintain or improve their physical, emotional, and mental health.

"She scheduled self-care time into her weekly calendar to ensure she was not neglecting her own health amid work pressures."

"mindset"

The set of beliefs and attitudes a person holds about their abilities, potential, and the world, which shapes how they respond to challenges.

"The coach worked with the athlete on developing a growth mindset — viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn rather than signs of failure."

"emotional regulation"

The ability to identify, understand, and manage one's emotional responses in a healthy, adaptive way.

"Children who learn emotional regulation skills at a young age tend to perform better academically and have healthier relationships."

"mindfulness"

The practice of intentionally paying attention to the present moment — including thoughts, feelings, and sensations — without judgment.

"Her therapist introduced mindfulness as a tool to interrupt the cycle of anxious thinking that kept her awake at night."

"meditation"

A practice involving focused attention, controlled breathing, or guided imagery to cultivate mental clarity, emotional calm, and self-awareness.

"He began a daily ten-minute meditation practice and noticed improved concentration and reduced stress within two weeks."

"breathwork"

A collective term for techniques that use conscious control of breathing patterns to influence mental, physical, and emotional states.

"The yoga teacher taught breathwork techniques to help students release tension and activate the parasympathetic nervous system."

"gratitude practice"

The habit of regularly reflecting on and acknowledging the positive aspects of life to shift focus away from negativity and enhance wellbeing.

"Writing in a gratitude journal every evening became the cornerstone of her wellbeing routine after her therapist recommended it."

"body scan"

A mindfulness technique in which attention is systematically moved through each part of the body to release tension and develop present-moment awareness.

"He used a body scan each night before sleep to notice where he was holding tension and consciously let it go."

"flow state"

A state of deep, effortless concentration in a challenging but achievable task, characterised by loss of self-consciousness and a sense of fulfilment.

"She found that gardening reliably put her into a flow state, making it one of her most effective stress-management tools."

"digital detox"

A deliberate period of abstaining from digital devices — including smartphones, social media, and email — to reduce stress and reconnect with the physical world.

"The wellness retreat required a complete digital detox for three days, which participants said was initially uncomfortable but ultimately transformative."

"work-life balance"

The degree to which a person divides their time and energy between professional responsibilities and personal life, rest, and relationships in a sustainable way.

"Her coach helped her redesign her schedule to achieve a healthier work-life balance and prevent the burnout she had previously experienced."

"acupuncture"

A traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the body to restore energy flow and relieve pain or illness.

"Her back pain had not responded to physiotherapy, so she decided to try acupuncture on her doctor's recommendation."

"holistic health"

An approach to wellbeing that considers the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — rather than treating individual symptoms in isolation.

"The integrative clinic took a holistic health approach, combining conventional medicine with nutrition counselling and stress management."

"naturopathy"

A system of alternative medicine based on the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself through natural remedies, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.

"The naturopath recommended a combination of herbal supplements, dietary changes, and sleep hygiene improvements rather than medication."

"herbal remedy"

A medicine or treatment derived from plants or plant extracts, used traditionally or in complementary medicine to manage health conditions.

"She used a herbal remedy containing valerian root to improve sleep quality after reading about its evidence base."

"chiropractic"

A healthcare discipline focused on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine, through manual adjustment.

"After months of neck pain following a car accident, he saw a chiropractor who identified a misalignment and performed a series of adjustments."

"aromatherapy"

A wellness practice that uses concentrated plant essential oils — inhaled or applied to the skin — to support physical and emotional health.

"The spa offered aromatherapy massages using lavender and eucalyptus essential oils to reduce tension and promote relaxation."

"integrative medicine"

An evidence-informed healthcare approach that combines conventional treatments with complementary therapies to address the full range of a patient's needs.

"The cancer centre's integrative medicine programme offered patients acupuncture, mindfulness, and nutrition support alongside their chemotherapy."

"detoxification"

The process of eliminating toxins from the body, either naturally through organ function or through dietary, lifestyle, or therapeutic interventions.

"The nutritionist explained that the liver and kidneys carry out detoxification continuously, and extreme "detox diets" are not supported by science."

"wellness coaching"

A professional relationship in which a trained coach supports clients in achieving sustainable health and lifestyle goals through goal-setting, accountability, and behaviour change.

"After years of failed diets, she hired a wellness coach and finally made lasting changes to her eating and exercise habits."

"corporate wellness programme"

A structured set of employer-sponsored initiatives — such as gym memberships, mental health support, and health screenings — designed to improve employee health and productivity.

"The company launched a corporate wellness programme after an employee survey revealed high levels of workplace stress and poor sleep."

"preventive health"

Healthcare measures taken proactively to prevent disease, detect conditions early, and reduce risk factors before illness develops.

"The insurance company offered lower premiums to employees who completed annual preventive health screenings."

"wearable technology"

Electronic devices worn on the body — such as smartwatches and fitness trackers — that monitor health metrics like steps, heart rate, and sleep quality.

"Her wearable technology revealed she was averaging only five hours of sleep per night, prompting her to prioritise her bedtime routine."

"health coaching certification"

A formal qualification from an accredited organisation that demonstrates a practitioner's competence to provide professional health and wellness coaching services.

"She completed her health coaching certification through the International Coaching Federation before launching her private practice."

"functional medicine"

A systems-based, patient-centred approach to medicine that seeks to identify and address root causes of disease rather than managing symptoms alone.

"His functional medicine doctor ran extensive lab work to identify the underlying drivers of his chronic fatigue rather than simply prescribing medication."

"biohacking"

The practice of making systematic changes to diet, lifestyle, technology, or biology to optimise physical and cognitive performance and slow ageing.

"His biohacking routine included cold showers, time-restricted eating, and red light therapy to improve energy and focus."

"retreat"

An immersive, usually residential wellness experience — often in a natural setting — offering programmes of yoga, meditation, nutrition, and therapeutic practices over several days.

"After a particularly stressful year, she booked a week-long wellness retreat in Bali to rest, reflect, and reset her health habits."