Health Education Healthy Choices and Behaviors

What is Health? It is a state of body, mind and spirit that must be viewed within the context of community, society and the environment. World Health Organisation defines health as....'a state of complete, physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity' It involves more than just physical wellness.

5 Dimensions of Health Physical Social Spiritual Intellectual Emotional

5 Dimensions of Health Physical – keep our bodies healthy Social – ability to interact effectively with other people and the social environment Spiritual – ID your basic purpose in life Intellectual – using your mind to gather, process and act on info Emotional – emotional and mental states

Physical Health Is about the Structure and function of the body: The body's capacity to carry out everyday activities and be free from illness. It includes fitness, weight, body shape and ability to recover from illness.

Social Health The ability to make and maintain healthy relationships with other people. e.g. being able to relate to parents, friends, teachers in a way that your community finds acceptable. It also includes accepting social standards / norms of behavior, for instance, waiting in queues, behaving appropriately at the cinema.

Intellectual Health It involves thinking processes (cognition) and learning and making healthy choices. It also involves that passion and concern to continue to facilitate the growth of your mind. To continue to feed your mind inquisitively to stay sharp as an active member in your different relationships.

Emotional Health An individual's ability to recognize and express feelings adequately and appropriately: It involves being able to develop good self-esteem and a positive self image. The ability to control emotions, maintain a realistic perspective on situations to help decrease stress levels and develop resilience.

Spiritual Health The need to establish a purpose in life: This can be expressed in many ways. It may involve having goals in life, believing in a higher being which helps guide life decisions. Prescribing to a particuler religion for guidance or finding a meaning behind why we are here.

The Wellness Line Optimal, Physical Emotional, Spiritual, and Social Health Death from Disease Marginal Level of Health Good Level of Health Superior Level of Health Poor Level of Health Moderate Level of Health

What is a well person? -Physical and Preventive Care Gets enough sleep Maintains proper weight Enjoys food and uses it for nutritional purposes Doesn’t use drugs or alcohol Uses OTC drugs the way they should be used Accidents can happen and takes precautions Is aware of infectious diseases Knows his/her disease risk and takes precautions to prevent Can use the health care system wisely

What is a well person? - Social Health Develops supportive relationships Resolves conflicts effectively Can have a successful long-term relationship Understands and accepts his/her sexuality Socializes well with others without the influence of alcohol and/or drugs Understands the risks of STD’s/pregnancy and takes responsibility for his/her own actions Continues to grow and be challenged throughout life Knows how to face death

What is a well person? -Emotional and Spiritual Feels there is a meaning to life Has proper values Willing to try new behaviors and accept new ideas Has positive self-esteem Manages emotions in a good way Seeks help when it is needed Manages stress appropriately

How do the choices you make affect your wellness lifeline and your 5 Dimensions of Wellness? Positive choices Negative choices Life expectancy – levels of wellness Others in your life

Making a Behavior Change Example: Getting more sleep The value of the reward. (How big?) Its timing. (How soon will it come, or soon will the price have to be paid?) The costs. (What are the risks/consequences in the reward?) Its probability. (How likely, and how certain the price?)

What motivates YOU to change? You WANT to be better at something You will GET something in return (vacation, scholarship, money)                                                        

How committed are you? Are you committed to the hard work that will be involved? Do you have the will to do it? Do you have a changed self-image?