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Subjective Wellness Gap

Meaning

The Subjective Wellness Gap represents the measurable difference between an individual’s self-reported state of well-being and their objectively measured physiological health metrics. This gap quantifies the discrepancy between how a person feels and how their body is actually functioning at a systemic level. A large gap, particularly where subjective wellness is high but objective metrics (e.g., inflammation, HRV) are poor, indicates a state of compensatory function or denial that masks underlying physiological stress. Identifying this gap is a critical step in preventing acute health crises and promoting long-term health literacy.