Wellness and the Health Triangle

Questions to Ponder What does being healthy really mean? What do I need to know to be healthy? What is the difference between health and wellness?

The Foundations of Health: Health – is a combination of physical, mental and social well being.

The Health Triangle: Three sides of health combine to form the health triangle Physical Health Taking care of your body Cleanliness Nutrition Fitness Social Health Getting along with others Making friends Giving support Mental and Emotional Health Liking who you are Expressing emotions Managing stress

Wellness Wellness – is a state of overall well being or total health Wellness Wellness – is a state of overall well being or total health. It is a way of life. It involves choices and decisions everyday. The Wellness Continuum The wellness continuum is a scale that shows the level of wellness from a low level to a high level. Where do you fall on this continuum? Free from aches and pains High level of energy feeling of well-being Premature Death Chronic Disorders Lack of Energy Disability Inattention Minor aches and pains Moderate level of energy High Level of Health

Taking Responsibility for your Health

Questions to Ponder How do heredity, environment, and available health care affect my health? Is my environment healthy? How do behavior and attitude affect my health? How can I develop habits to improve my health?

Influences on your Health Heredity The passing of traits from your parents as a result of the transmission of genes. Environment The sum total of your surroundings. Available Health Care Determined by where you live.

Steps to Responsible Health Find out how much you know about your health. Get good, reliable information on how to stay healthy or improve. Take action. Those who practice life-related habits or lifestyle factors, appear to live longer and be happier.

Review Questions What are the three sides of the Health Triangle? Physical, Mental, and Social What is Wellness? A state of overall well being or total health. What are three things that influence your Health? Heredity, Environment, and Available Health Care.

The Health Triangle MENTAL & PHYSICAL SOCIAL HEALTH HEALTH EMOTIONAL HEALTH Includes getting along with others Working or playing well in a group Making and keeping friends Giving and getting support Good Health Habits Keeping your body fit Cleanliness Nutrition Fitness Includes liking who you are Good Health Habits Expressing emotions Facing life’s problems Managing stress

Your Health Health Factors over which you have little or no control Health Factors for which you have responsibility Your attitudes, which are your feelings and beliefs Your lifestyle factors, which are your life-related habits Your health education, which means learning the facts and gaining the tools you need to maintain and improve your health Heredity, which is the passing on of traits from biological parents to children Your environment which is the sum total of your surroundings Your available health care, which is determined by where you live.