1. Understanding Health and Wellness
In this lesson, you will learn to:
Define health and wellness
Identify the three sides of health triangle
Analyze the interrelationships of physical, mental/emotional, and social health

2. Vocabulary
Health—the combination of physical, mental/emotional, and social well-being
Spiritual Health—a deep-seated sense of meaning and purpose in life
Wellness—an overall state of well-being or total health
Chronic Disease—an ongoing condition or illness

3. The Health Triangle 3 Elements:
The three elements of health—physical, mental/emotional, and social—are interconnected, like the sides of a triangle.
When one side receives too much or too little attention, the whole triangle can become lopsided and unbalanced.

4. Physical Health
Physical health is all about how well your body functions
5 tips to maintain good physical health
Get 8—10 hours of sleep each night
Eat nutritious meals and drink eight cups of water daily
Participate in 30—60 minutes of physical activity every day
Avoid the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs
Bathe daily, and floss and brush your teeth daily

5. Mental/Emotional Health
Mental and emotional health is about your feelings and thoughts.
How do you feel about yourself?
How do you meet the demands of your daily life?
How do you cope with the problems that occur in your life?
What are some things that people who are mentally and emotionally healthy do on a day to day basis?
Spiritual Health—involves having a feeling of purpose and a sense of values

6. Other Community Members
Social Health
Social health is getting along with others
Maintaining healthy relationships and caring for your social health involves:
Seeking and lending support when needed
Communicating clearly and listening to others
Showing respect and care for yourself and others
Family
Friends
Your Social Network
Other Community Members
Teachers

7. Keeping a Balance
Each side of your health triangle is equally important to your health.
When you work to keep your physical, mental/emotional, and social health in balance, you are much more likely to function at your highest level.

8. Health v. Wellness
Health is the combination of physical, mental/emotional, and social well-being
Wellness is keeping a balance among the three components of health
Wellness comes from making decisions and practicing behaviors that are based on sound health knowledge and healthful attitudes

9. The Health Continuum Your health and wellness are ALWAYS changing
Your health can be measured on a sliding scale

10. Influences on Your Health
There are several important influences on your health:
Heredity
Environment
Media and technology
Values
Attitude
Behavior

11. Heredity
You might be familiar with heredity in terms of your physical traits such as eye color, hair color, and height Heredity influences your general level of health.
Beyond your physical health, heredity can also influence personality and basic intellectual abilities and talents.

12. Environment
Your environment includes your family, your neighborhood, your school, your job, and your life experiences.

13. Media and Technology
Media includes radio, television, film, newspapers, magazines, books, and the Internet.
Although the media’s main purpose has been to provide information and entertainment, it also plays a powerful role in shaping public opinion.
Advances in medical screenings and treatment for diseases have helped large numbers of people live longer, healthier lives.
Advances in technology can have a downside. Technology has replaced many of the physical activities that once were part of daily life.

14. Attitude
The way you view situations—your attitude—greatly affects the choices you make.
Try to view challenging situations positively and think in realistic terms.

15. Behavior
Your behavior affects not only your physical health but also your mental/emotional and social health.
Learning how to resolve conflicts peacefully can have a positive influence on your relationships with others.
Risk behaviors are actions that can potentially threaten your health or the health of others.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has listed 6 risk behaviors that account for most of the deaths and disabilities among young people.
Tobacco Use
Unhealthy dietary behaviors
Inadequate physical activity
Alcohol and other drug use
Sexual behaviors that result in STD’s, pregnancy, and HIV infection
Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence

16. Prevention Getting regular medical and dental checkups
Wearing a seat belt
Eating healthy
Staying active
Practice Abstinence - Abstinence is a deliberate decision to avoid high-risk behaviors such as sexual activity and the use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
Making your decision before faced with a choice

17. POSTER ASSIGNMENT
DESIGN A POSTER THAT YOU FEEL REPRESENTS WELLNESS. IT SHOULD INCLUDE ALL ASPECTS OF WELLNESS INCLUDING:PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL.
Use at least three pictures or phrases to describe each side of the health triangle. You can choose to print the worksheet and complete it by hand, or you can fill out the worksheet electronically. (10 points)
 Find one picture that represents an aspect of your life. Attach the picture to the correct side of the triangle. Describe the picture that you selected. What area of health does this represent in your life? (5 points)
  Reflect how this “ideal” model of health compares to your own personal health triangle. If your triangle is balanced, describe how you keep the three sides equal. If the triangle is unbalanced, list specific ways you can help balance it. Give at least three examples. (5 points)