Mayfield Publishing Company Successful Relationships  An important dimension of wellness  Love is the foundation of many relationships  Friendship – companionship, respect, acceptance, help, trust, loyalty, reciprocity  Choosing a partner – “How much do we have in common?”

Mayfield Publishing Company Communication  Key to developing and maintaining any type of relationship  Three keys to good communication in relationships – self-disclosure – listening – feedback

Mayfield Publishing Company Strategies for Conflict Resolution  Clarify the issue  Find out what each person wants  Identify alternatives  Decide how to negotiate  Solidify the agreements  Review and renegotiate

Mayfield Publishing Company Marriage  Functions and benefits – affection, personal affirmation, companionship, sexual fulfillment, emotional growth  Best predictors of a happy marriage – realistic expectations about the relationship – good feelings about personalities – communication and conflict-resolution skills – agreement on religious and ethical values – egalitarian role relationship – balance of individual versus joint interests and activities

Mayfield Publishing Company Qualities of Successful Relationships and Families  Commitment  Appreciation  Communication  Time together  Spiritual wellness  Ability to cope with stress and crisis

Mayfield Publishing Company Some Effects of Aging  Skin becomes looser, drier, less elastic  Hearing loss  Presbyopia (inability of eyes to focus)  Sensations of taste and smell diminish  Less pigment produced in hair follicles  Bone mass is lost, muscles become weaker  Maximum heart rate drops  Sexual response slows

Mayfield Publishing Company Life-Enhancing Measures  Challenge your mind  Plan for social changes  Develop physical fitness  Eat wisely  Maintain a healthy body composition  Control drinking and overdependence on medications  Don’t smoke  Reduce stress  Get regular physicals  Avoid sun damage  Avoid loud noises

Mayfield Publishing Company Managing Medical Problems  Observe body  Assess symptoms  Use self-tests and over-the-counter drugs carefully  Know when to seek professional assistance (for any symptom that is severe, unusual, persistent, or recurrent)

Mayfield Publishing Company Getting Good Medical Care  Key is good communication between patient and health care provider – gather information before the visit – communicate clearly during the visit – summarize at the end of the visit  Obtain appropriate screening tests  Understand your health insurance options

Mayfield Publishing Company Environmental Health  Interactions between humans and the environment and the health consequences of these interactions  Longstanding concerns: clean air and water, food inspection, waste disposal  New concerns due to human activity: population growth, greenhouse effect, thinning of the ozone layer, acid precipitation

Mayfield Publishing Company Fit and Well for Life  Adopting a wellness lifestyle is the most important thing you can do to ensure a high quality of life for yourself, both now and in the future