What is Health? A description of being healthy requires more than just a “fine” or “ok” answer. Happy, Fit, Stable, Clean, Energetic, Strong, Rested, Athletic, Responsible, Positive,…. Combination of physical, mental/emotional, and social well-being

Health Triangle Consists of the three elements of health Physical Health Mental/Emotional Health Social Health

Physical Health Focuses on how well your body functions Being physically healthy involves: Getting enough sleep/rest Eating the right foods Being physically active Practicing good hygiene Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs

Mental/Emotional Health Focuses on your feelings about yourself Being mentally/emotionally healthy involves: Being able to express their feelings in appropriate ways Can deal with everyday frustrations without being overwhelmed by them Will avoid dwelling on negative thoughts Make thoughtful and responsible decisions (Spiritual Health-a feeling of purpose and sense of values)

Social Health Focuses on the way you get along with others Being socially healthy involves: Your ability to make and keep friends Work and play in cooperative ways Seeking and lending support when necessary Showing respect for yourself and others Communicating clearly and listening to others

Keeping A Balance When your health triangle is balance, you have a high degree of WELLNESS, an overall state of well being or total health.

The Health Continuum A persons health is always at a constant change Your health is like a point along a continuum A health continuum spans from chronic disorders and premature death over to a high level of health There are many points along the continuum where your health could be.

The Health Continuum (cont.)

Influences on Your Health Several important factors that affect your health are: Heredity Environment Culture Attitude and Behavior Media and Technology

Heredity Refers to all the traits that were biologically passed on to you from your parents Besides your eye color, hair color, and height, heredity will also influence your general level of health Some genes may put you at a greater risk of certain diseases Some genes may strengthen your resistance to certain diseases

Environment Broken down into physical and social environment Physical environment consists of your neighborhood, school, or job Social environment consists of your family, friends, peers, and other adult role models

Culture Refers to the collective beliefs, customs, and behaviors of a group Some culture influences are: The languages your family speaks The foods that you enjoy The religion you practice

Attitude and Behavior The way that you view certain situations will have a major role in your health and wellness Studies have shown that people who have a positive attitude in situations are more likely to have better health than those who only see the negative Behavior is the one factor that is completely in your control Your behavior will affect all three aspects of health

Media and Technology Media factors consist of Radio Television Movies Newspapers Magazines and books Internet Shapes the public opinion Technology advances have helped provide information to make people live longer, healthier lives

Understanding Health Risks First step is to increase awareness of risk behaviors Risk behaviors – actions that can potentially threaten your health or the health of others Second step is to look at your current behaviors and make any necessary changes

Understanding Health Risks (cont.) Certain risk behaviors can add up over time and become cumulative risks Cumulative risks – related risks that increase in effect with each added risk Cumulative risks may also result from a combination of risk factors The more risk behaviors you participate in the more likely you are to experience negative consequences

Abstaining from Risk Behaviors The only way to avoid the consequences of cumulative risks is to practice abstinence Abstinence – avoiding harmful behavior Some risk behaviors to abstain from are tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, and sexual activity

Abstaining from Tobacco, Alcohol, and other drugs Using these substances will affect all aspects of health as well as having many negative consequences Physical damages to body – physcial health Addiction to substance – mental/emotional health Isolation from family/friends – social health There are also legal consequences for those people who are not of the proper age

Abstaining from Sexual Activity Protects teens from many negative consequences Teens who abstain from sexual activity Never have to worry about unplanned pregnancy Will not have to worry about the responsibilities of caring for a child Protected from STD’s and STI’S Even though you are abstaining from sexual activity you can still develop a genuine sense of love, trust, and friendship with someone

Lifestyle Factors Factors that affect a persons overall health, happiness, and longevity Some factors can include Getting 8 to 10 hours of sleep every night Starting the day with a healthy breakfast Being physically active for at least 20 minutes a day Avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs

Promoting Health The decisions you make every day can affect your health Being able to make responsible decisions about your health and developing healthy habits are very important when it comes to maintaining wellness and preventing disease Wellness – an overall state of well-being or total health Prevention – practicing health and safety habits to remain free of disease and injury

Health Education Health education provides accurate health information to help people make healthy choices Health education relates to more than just students Nationwide health plan adopted in 1979 called Healthy People (revised for 2000, 2010, and 2020) Healthy People is a nationwide health promotion and disease prevention plan designed to serve as a guide for improving the health of all people in the U.S.

Health Literacy Refers to a person’s ability to learn about and understand basic health information and services, and use these resources to promote his/her health and wellness A health-literate individual needs to be: A critical thinker and problem solver A responsible and productive citizen A self directed learner An effective communicator