Hw 280 01 unit 9 [power point assignment][revised] assessing health and wellness with a multi-perspective approach

Assessing Health and Wellness with a
Multi-Perspective Approach
By Clara Thomas
PHYSIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL CAM VIEWS
The mind, body and spirit are so interconnected that achieving optimum health and
wellness includes physiological, psychological and integrative approaches.

Introduction
According to Thygerson & Thygerson (2011), a common misconception is that
increasing physical activity only helps one’s physical health. However, the benefits of
physical activity impacts all aspects of wellness. It improves one’s physical health,
directly influences one’s emotional health and may positively affect one’s social and
environmental wellness. Some of the benefits include increasing self esteem, reducing
risks for diseases and illnesses, promoting a healthy weight, stress reduction and
improved interpersonal relationships (Thygerson & Thygerson, 2011).
Pixabay (2016)

What Is Health?
Thygerson & Thygerson (2011) states that according to
the World Health Organization’s definition , health is not
merely the absence of disease or infirmity, it is the state of
having a sound mind, body and a sense of social well-
being. This has been used as a foundation for the
meaning of wellness since 1949 (Thygerson & Thygerson ,
2011). However, today, the definition of health is much
more complex. Howley (2012) states that there are
positive and negative aspects of health. Positive health is
associated with having the ability to enjoy life and
withstand challenges . Negative health is associated with
disease and premature death. Achieving the highest
quality of life means being mentally alert and curious,
having positive emotions and meaningful relationships
with others; social well being, being physically sound and
recognizing that there is a broader force of life. All of
these aspects are interconnected and a high level of
accomplishment in one area enhances the others.
Compromised function in any area decreases the
potential in other areas (Howley, 2012).
Clara Thomas (2015)

WHAT IS WELLNESS?
Wellness is much more than physical
health, exercise or nutrition. It is a
combination of physical, mental, and
spiritual well-being. The seven
dimensions of wellness include
physical, emotional, intellectual,
spiritual, social, occupational and
environmental wellness. Each acting
and interacting to contribute to our
overall quality of life (UCR, 2014).
When healthcare professionals
complete a comprehensive health and
wellness assessment, in order to plan
and implement a health and wellness
plan, each of these factors should be
considered.
Image From UCR (2014)

Physical Wellness
Physical Wellness is achieved
by maintaining a healthy
quality of life that allows us
to participate in daily
activities without undue
fatigue or physical stress. It
includes recognizing that our
behaviors significantly impact
our wellness and adopting
healthful habits like routine
check-ups, a balanced diet
and exercise, while avoiding
poor lifestyle choices like
drug, alcohol and tobacco
consumption (UCR, 2014). Pixabay (2016)

ASSESSING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BARRIERS
Document any health reasons or barriers of
physical activity such as the following:
Lack of time Social influence
Lack of energy Lack of motivation
Fear of injury Lack of Skill
Lack of resources Weather conditions
Travel Family obligations
Retirement years
(Thygerson &Thygerson, 2011)

PHYSICAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT
Document the following:
• Heart rate
• Target heart rate
• Complete cardiorespiratory assessments
• Rockport Fitness Walking Test, Cooper’s 1.5 Mile Run/Walk Test, YMCA Step
Test
• Flexibility Assessments
• Sit and Reach Test, Shoulder Flexibility Test, Other Flexibility Tests (Thigh, Calf,
Hamstring, Groin, Hip Flexors)
• Posture Assessment
• Muscle Endurance Assessment
• YMCA Bench Press Test, YMCA Half Sit up Test
• Muscle Strength Assessment
• One Repetition Maximum Test, Hand Grip Strength Test
(Thygerson & Thygerson, 2011)

Emotional Wellness
Emotional Wellness is
having the ability to
understand ourselves
and cope with the
challenges life can bring.
It is the ability to
acknowledge and share
feelings like happiness,
joy, love and ager in a
productive manner
(UCR, 2014).
Pixabay (2016)

Intellectual Wellness
Intellectual Wellness is
achieved by opening our minds
to new ideas and experiences
that can be used when making
personal decisions, interacting
with a group and performing
community service. It is having
the desire to seek intellectual
stimulation by learning new
concepts and improving skills
(UCR, 2014).
Pixabay (2016)

Spiritual Wellness
Spiritual Wellness is establishing peace and harmony in our lives. It is having the
ability to develop congruency between our values and actions and living a
purposeful life (UCR, 2014).

Social Wellness
Social Wellness is
having the ability to
share a mutually
satisfying relationship
with other people in
our world. It is
establishing and
maintaining positive
relationships with
family, friends and co-
workers (UCR, 2014). Pixabay (2016)

Occupational
Wellness
Occupational Wellness is
achieved by getting
personal satisfaction from
our jobs or our chosen
profession while still
maintaining balance in
our lives. It is our desire
to invest in our careers
and have a positive
impact on the
organizations where we
work and to society as a
whole (UCR, 2014).
Clara Thomas (2014)

Environmental
Wellness
Environmental Wellness is
achieved by recognize our
responsibility for the quality
of the air, the water and the
land that surrounds us. It is
having a positive impact on
the quality of our
environment in our homes,
our communities and for
our planet (UCR, 2014).
Pixabay (2016)

Using an Integrative Approach to
Health and Wellness
Source: Dr. Diane Brain Health: Stoler (2015)

THE FIVE PRONG APPROACH
According to Stoler (2015), the
Five Prong Approach, an
integrative approach to wellness
treats the individual from five
different perspectives including
physical, psychological,
emotional, spiritual, and energy.
This allows for effective
treatment of many conditions
and symptoms, including
disorders like autism and
attention deficit disorder (ADD),
concussions and post-traumatic
stress disorder (PTSD) (Stoler,
2015).Pixabay (2016)

Integrative Perspectives
In The Anatomy of Health: An Integrative
Approach to Wellness, Aharoni (2010), states
that health has no singular definition and
well-being isn’t just about being happy. It’s
not limited to physical health and wellness,
nor is it simply about being wealthy or
successful. She suggests that focusing on
any of these elements in isolation may make
us to frustrated and create a sense of failure.
Even the renowned research firm Gallup’s
comprehensive study found that five
universal, interconnected factors shape the
health of our lives. They are career well-
being, social well-being, financial well-being,
physical well-being and community well-
being (Aharoni, 2010).
Pixabay (2016))

CHIROPRACTIC AND HOLISTIC MEDICINE APPROACH
Dr. Cari Jacobson, doctor of chiropractic and holistic medicine, described
complete health as the balance between structural, biochemical and
emotional health. She suggests that achieving optimal health includes the
following:
• Drinking water, at least half your body weight in ounces, daily.
• Proper Nutrition
• Getting enough rest, eight hours each of work, sleep and fun-time feeds
our souls.
• Movement and exercise promotes strength, flexibility and blood flow.
• Honor yourself with mindfulness, meditation, owning your strength and
speaking the truth.
• According to Dr. Jacobson, our minds create our reality, and almost all
disease is caused by stress and emotions
(Aharoni, 2010).

AN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE PROGRAM APPROACH
• Dr. Leslie Mendoza Temple…medical director of the Integrative Medicine program at North Shore
University Health System, suggests that we “maintain a balance between the spheres of the
physical, emotional and spiritual.” Her Integrative Medicine program encourages eight elements of
health and wellness including nutrition, environment, breath, spirituality, movement, rest and
recreation, love and relationships and consciousness. She suggests that being mindful of how we
live our lives can help us make healthier choices (Aharoni, 2010). She suggests considering the
following questions:
• What is your relationship to food: Does it control emotions/stress? Do you prepare meals joyfully?
How does food affect you physically and mentally?
• Are you at peace in your surroundings? Is home your haven? Are you aware of settings that drain
you?
• Do you ever have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath? Are you aware of mindful breathing?
• What makes you happy? What is your divine purpose? Is faith or fear a constant part of your day?
• How do you integrate physical activity into your life? Are you moving at work? Are you trying to
increase or reduce activity during the day?
• How do you renew your spirit? What are your creative outlets? What do you do for fun? How often
do you laugh?
• Are you satisfied with how you love? Does forgiveness come easy?
• What are you passionate about? Do you feel loved? Do you understand unconditional love?
• Do you block any events from your mind? Do you practice self-reflection? Do you value your own
insight?
(Aharoni, 2010)

SUMMARY
In conclusion, when one continuously questions whether they are measuring up
to their peers, co-workers and others, that person may create internal stress. Left
untreated the symptom, and the perceptions or habits that are creating the stress
may develop into a chronic physical or mental condition. So, in addition to calling
a doctor about physical symptoms, assess the behavioral and emotional patterns
that influence health and design decisions about how to meet their needs.
Complementary and integrative medicine practices may help individuals become
more centered and aware (Aharoni, 2010).
The ultimate prescription for health and well-being is different for each individual.
Pursuing healthcare that follows conventional, integrative, holistic or Eastern
philosophy, that best suits each person and creating the lifestyle that supports
empowerment at all times, provides the best potential for achieving optimal health.
Health is a life practice, not defined by a series of test results. What we tell ourselves
about our health and well-being is just as important as what we put into our body or
how we exercise (Aharoni, 2010). Each person is one collective mind, body and spirit.
(Aharoni, 2010).

REFERENCES
Aharoni, K., (November, 2010). The Anatomy of Health: An Integrative Approach to Wellness. Retrieved from http://chicagohealthonline.com/the-
anatomy-of-health-an-integrative-approach-to-wellness/
Aldwin, C., Park, C., Jeong, Y., & Nath, R. (2014). Differing pathways between religiousness, spirituality, and health: A self-regulation perspective.
Retrieved from http://eds.b.ebscohost.com.lib.kaplan.edu/
ATA International, (2016). TAEKWONDO . Retrieved from http://www.ataonline.com/taekwondo/
Howley, E. (2012, April 01). Fitness Professional's Handbook, 6th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from
https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781450471077/
Micozzi, M. (2011). Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 4th Edition. [VitalSource Bookshelf Online]. Retrieved from
https://kaplan.vitalsource.com/#/books/978-1-4377-0577-5/.
Pixabay, (2016). Free Images, including cover images Retrieved from
https://pixabay.com/en/photos/?image_type=&cat=&min_width=&min_height=&q=pollution&order=popular
Stoler, D., (2015, February 25). The Resilient Brain: An Integrative Approach to Wellness Really Works. Retrieved from
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-resilient-brain/201502/integrative-approach-wellness-really-works
Thygerson, A.L. and Thygerson, A.M., (2011). Fit to be well: essential concepts. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett.
University of California, Riverside (UCR), (2014, July 7). Seven Dimensions of Wellness. Retrieved from
https://wellness.ucr.edu/seven_dimensions.html

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