Health Module 2 Vocabulary

mental health conditions

patterns of thinking and feeling that decrease mental and emotional health; can be everyday worries or serious mental illnesses.

mental distress

short-term mental and emotional state in which negative thoughts and feelings interfere with relationships, daily tasks, and enjoyment of life.

genetic predisposition

increased likelihood of developing a health condition due to genes inherited from biological parents.

self-actualization

feeling of reaching one's full potential through creativity, independence, spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world.

Maslow's hierarchy of human needs

model of understanding human needs, in which basic needs are met before higher-level needs.

cognitive distortions

unhealthy patterns of thinking that are not grounded in reality.

identity

characteristics and qualities that distinguish who a person is.

core values

part of identity that describes what a person believes and finds important; guide personal behaviors and choices.

personality

combination of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that make a person unique.

biological sex

label assigned at birth based on physical factors such as hormones, chromosomes, and genitalia.

gender

behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits and roles society associates with a biological sex.

gender identity

component of identity that describes deeply held thoughts and feelings about one's gender.

gender roles

societal or cultural expectations about how people of a certain gender should behave, dress, speak, and act.

gender stereotypes

preconceived ideas, roles, and characteristics people associate with a certain gender.

ethnicity

one's connection to a particular social group that shares similar cultural or national ties.

identity formation

process of discovering and establishing one's identity through physical, cognitive, and social changes.

self-image

mental picture of one's abilities, appearance, and personality based on experiences and interactions with others.

self-esteem

confidence in one's own worth and abilities.

affirmations

statements that acknowledge a person's value and strengths.

perfectionism

personal standard or attitude that rejects anything less than ideal performance.

self-care

process of actively taking care of one's own well'being and health, especially during periods of stress.

body image

subjective mental image of one's own body; established based on self-observation and the reactions of others.

weight stigma

flawed belief that having a thinner body or lower weight is always better.

muscle dysmorphia

disorder characterized by extreme concern with becoming more muscular.

airbrushing

digitally altering an image to remove blemishes, cellulite, bulges, or wrinkles.

body neutrality

focus on what the body can do, rather than how it looks.

body positivity

appreciation of body-type diversity; involves valuing the body and understanding it will change.

body compassion

feelings of acceptance, care, and kindness toward one's body.

mood swings

sudden shifts in emotion.

emotions

strong feelings experienced based on one's circumstances, relationships, or moods.

emotional intelligence (EI)

skill in perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions and feelings.

mindset

person's thought pattern, attitude, and mood.

attitude

pattern of viewing and reacting to events in a certain way.

mindfulness

state of concentrated, judgment-free awareness of what is happening in the present moment.

gratitude

appreciation for what one has.

outlook

way of thinking or feeling about a situation.

self-talk

one's thoughts about one's self throughout the day.

self-respect

pride and confidence in one's self.

diversity

people's differences in many areas, such as race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or spiritual beliefs.

empathy

ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

cognitive empathy

ability to see the world from another person's perspective.

emotional empathy

ability to experience the emotions another person is feeling.

resilience

ability to recover from traumatic and stressful events.

self-compassion

attitude of kindness and understanding toward one's self, even when facing setbacks and disappointments.