The Health Triangle Health is the measure of our over-all well-being. The health triangle is a measure of the different aspects of health. The health triangle consists of: Physical, Social, and Mental Health.

Mental Health Mental health deals with how we think, feel and cope with daily life. Mental health encompasses: Self-esteem, learning, stress management, and mental illnesses or disorders.

Mental Health Learning Learning is the development of skills, behaviors, and knowledge. Learning increases self-confidence, awareness, and self perception. It also teaches one coping skills.

Mental Health Stress Management Stress deals with the way our bodies and minds deal with life changes. It is important to learn healthy ways to deal with stress or you could be at risk for anxiety or depression.

Mental Health Mental Disorders Stress and problems with school, friends, and family can cause mental illnesses. Mental illnesses include: depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and phobias.

Social Health Social Health deals with the way react with people within our environment. This includes: public health, family relationships, and peer relationships.

Social Health Public Health Public health includes disease prevention and promoting health through good decision making. Keeping yourself safe and healthy benefits your community as a whole.

Social Health Family Relationships A healthy family relationship is one that is supportive, loving, responsible, and balanced. Families should work together to eliminate stress and negativity in the home. Promoting a safe and enjoyable environment.

Social Health Peer Relationships Strong and supportive friendships increase happiness, self-esteem, and reduces stress. Friends are there to help celebrate your accomplishments and there to offer support in times of need.

Physical Health Physical health deals with the body’s ability to function. Physical health has many components including: exercise, nutrition, sleep, alcohol & drugs, and weight management.

Physical Health Exercise Exercise is the act of using your muscles to stay physically fit. Exercise helps to give you more energy, maintain weight, increase confidence & self esteem, and helps to battle chronic diseases.

Physical Health Nutrition Proper balanced meals are essential in leading a healthy life. Nutritious meals create a balance between what we eat and the way our body uses the food for energy and growth.

Physical Health Sleep It is recommended that the average person get at least 8 hours of sleep. The human body likes regularity, so try to go to bed and wake up at the same time daily.

Physical Health Alcohol & Drugs Alcohol and other drugs interfere with messages to the brain and alters perception. Use of such substances puts you at risk for accidental injuries, car crashes, trouble with the law, unwanted pregnancies, and fights.

Physical Health Weight Management Maintaining a healthy weight decreases your risk of certain diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Exercise and proper nutrition helps to maintain healthy weight levels.

The way one feels about themselves. Self-Esteem The way one feels about themselves. Question: How is self-esteem formed? Family Boyfriends/Girlfriends Friends/Peers/Teammates Teachers/Coaches Co-workers

Developing Positive Self-Esteem Set goals and make plans to reach them. Develop a skill or talent Make a list of things you do well Work to do your best in school Be involved in clubs or community activities Choose friends who encourage others to do their best Volunteer to help others

Lifestyle Factors These are health factors that we can control, which impact our health and wellness. Getting between 7-9 hours of sleep per night Eat nutritious foods from the various food groups each day Refrain from using tobacco, alcohol, and drugs Eat Breakfast Do 60-90 minutes of physical activity each day All of these thing help you build or maintain your overall well-being.

Stress The physical or psychological reaction of your body to the challenges you face. Acute Vs Chronic A= sudden or short lived (hours or days) C= continue over a long period of time (unsafe neighborhood or loved one who is ill) It depends on how YOU react to it!!!

Kinds of Stress Eustress: “Good” stress, when stress results form something good and you react in a positive manner. Provides energy & motivation Makes you more creative, alert, assertive & dedicated to a task Can help you achieve your goals Makes you feel good about your self

Stressors: Any factor that cause stress Family relationships School work Peer groups Fatigue Injury Illness Disabilities Death of family or loved one Conflicts Money Acceptance Discrimination People Environment: poverty, pollution, noise, natural disasters, etc. Perception: the way you see things Alcohol, tobacco, drugs Separation or divorce

Reacting To Stress Alarm Stage: where the body and mind go on high alert…your body utilizes all of its resources to fight off the threat by either attacking or escaping. Involuntary actions may be activated Adrenaline is then produced: “emergency hormone” Increased heart rate Respiration becomes faster Fight-or-flight response: natural protective mode of your body preparing your body to either “fight” the stressor, or “take flight” and escape the stressor.

Resistance Stage: when the body tries to repair its damage from the stressful event… physical resistance reaches its peak. this is where people in extremely high-stress situations, appear to have super human strength. Exhaustion: this results in a tired feeling that lowers one’s level of activity. build of lactic acid (waste in the muscle) which will cause soreness. tiredness

Develop positive coping strategies: Practice self-talk “is it worth it?” “getting angry is never solves anything” “don’t do something you’ll regret” Seek temporary relief: exercise, yoga, daydreaming, relaxation techniques (music, stretching, meditation, reading, horses/animals, writing) Recognize symptoms of stress Identify stressful situations Support groups: parents, friends, teachers, coaches, counselors, etc.

Strategies to reduce stress: Don’t sweat the small stuff! Set goals Practice time management: prioritize, decide which things you will do in which order, form most to least importance. Develop resistance to stress: Get fit! Get enough sleep Develop a good nutritional diet Avoid sugar & caffeine

The Health Triangle Review There are 3 major areas of the health triangle: physical, mental and social. Good decision making and healthy choices reduce the risk of disease and increase health overall.