Introduction to Health and Wellness Continues

Wellness and Social Determinants (Week 1 context)

• Opening exchanges set the scene: students adjusting to a new routine, commuting, and finding time for personal goals beyond academics.
• Emphasis on routine and efficiency: use gaps between classes for productive activities; example given about lunch-hour workouts.
• Social aspect of college life: classmates will become friends over time; the instructor will require interaction to build community.
• Course framing: later in the class, focus shifts to wellness, its dimensions, and functional health; ties to ELOs (expected learning outcomes) related to dimensions of wellness.
• Recap of last class's topic: social determinants of health and how they shape health outcomes beyond merely exercising or eating five fruits/vegetables daily.

Social Determinants of Health: Practical Examples and Data (illustrative practice)

• The data shown (local Windsor-Essex vs Ontario) illustrate how social determinants influence risk factors and behaviors:
  • Physical activity by household income: higher income groups meet activity guidelines more often than lower income groups (comparison between Windsor-Essex and Ontario).
  • Fruits & vegetables intake by household type (youth 12–19): couples with children eat more fruits/vegetables than single-parent households, likely due to financial constraints and family priorities.
  • Sleep guidelines for youth: proportion meeting 7–9 hours of sleep; females tend to sleep less than males.
• Core takeaway: health behaviors (physical activity, diet, sleep) are linked to social determinants such as income, family structure, and living conditions.
• Thought exercise: reflect on your own childhood home environment (parks, green space, walkable neighborhoods, access to grocery stores, fresh fruit/veg) and recognize how varied access shapes health behaviors.

What is Wellness? Definitions and Perspectives

• The term wellness vs. health status: wellness goes beyond absence of disease and includes a holistic state of well-being.
• Instructor prompts and student reflection: wellness involves internal state and external factors; the word begins with "we" suggesting social factors interact with individual health.
• Historical inquiry frame: exploring origins of wellness concepts to understand how current definitions evolved.
• Several definitions discussed:
  • Wellness as purposeful, enjoyable living: generally happy, resilient, capable of handling setbacks, and enjoying activities.
  • Wellness as the process of making choices for a more successful existence.
  • Wellness as a deliberate lifestyle choice characterized by personal responsibility and optimization of physical, mental, and spiritual health.
• Emphasis on personal responsibility and external determinants: one’s happiness and wellness depend on choices as well as the surrounding social determinants.
• Reference to John Travis and wellness history (pioneering work in the US, 1975).

Historical and Cultural Context in Health

• Greek medical mythos and early medicine:
  • Asclepius: the Greek god of medicine; associated with Panacea (cure/remedy) and Hygieia (hygiene).
  • Panacea means a cure/remedy; Hygieia relates to hygiene and practices conducive to health.
  • Hippocratic Oath begins with invocations to Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, Panacea, and other deities, framing medicine as a sacred practice to do no harm.
• Marvel reference: Asclepius has appeared as a character in Marvel Comics, illustrating the pervasiveness of the myth in popular culture.
• Indigenous health perspectives: introduction to the medicine wheel as a foundational Indigenous framework for wellness.

Indigenous Medicine Wheel: Key Concepts from the Video

• What is the medicine wheel?
  • A circular symbol divided into four quadrants; common colors include yellow, red, black, and white.
  • Recognition that different nations have different teachings and color assignments; there isn't one universal wheel.
• Four directions and associated teachings (summarized):
  • The four directions, the four states of being, the four sacred medicines, the four seasons, the four elements, the four stages of life.
  • Some nations place the colors in different locations; the important idea is the quadrants and their associated teachings.
• Why the circle is important:
  • Circle of life: everything flows in cycles; life and spirit continue beyond the physical.
  • Circle of self-awareness: mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional states must be balanced for happiness.
  • Circle of knowledge: personal power to learn, adapt, and pass on knowledge; control over one’s states of being.
• Interconnectedness:
  • All aspects of life are connected; land, water, sky, and spirit are interdependent with human health.
  • Wellness encompasses mind, body, emotions, and spirit; imbalance in one area affects others.
• Practical takeaway: the medicine wheel provides a holistic model of wellness, emphasizing balance, balance with the land, and cross-cultural respect for diverse Indigenous teachings.
• Note on resources: a link to a free medicine wheel poster was mentioned for further study, with resources available on Brightspace.

Wellness Models and Frameworks

• John Travis continuum (Figure 1.5, page 8 in the textbook): historical model of wellness.
  • Left to right progression: premature death → neutral middle → high levels of purposeful, enjoyable living.
  • Emphasizes a continuum of health rather than a binary healthy/unhealthy state.
• Traditional vs. contemporary models:
  • A widely taught model shows multiple dimensions that overlap; later models emphasize that dimensions influence each other and can change over the lifespan.
• Dimensions of Wellness wheel (Figure 1.4 in some editions, page 10): seven interrelated domains.
  • Occupational, Intellectual, Physical, Social, Emotional, Spiritual, Financial.
  • Each dimension contributes to overall wellness and informs daily choices.
• Life-stage-informed wellness model (lifespan perspective): variations in emphasis across ages.
  • Early adulthood (around 20s, as a student): high intellectual activity; physical health typically strong; social and emotional wellness may be lower due to new environment and social integration; spiritual remains relatively stable; financial resources often tight; occupational wellness limited to student status.
  • Later adulthood (30s–40s): family responsibilities increase; social life may become limited; emotional well-being can improve due to family joy; occupational wellness expands with career development; financial wellness often improves; physical health may decline due to time constraints.
  • Empty-nest and retirement: financial and occupational wellness may decline; physical activity can improve with more time; intellectual and social wellness may vary; spiritual wellness often remains a constant.
• The instructor’s take: wellness is dynamic and depends on life stage; this model helps explain why different dimensions have different levels of emphasis at different times.
• Prompt for student reflection (three questions):
  • Which dimension do you feel strongest in right now?
  • Which dimension do you feel weakest in right now?
  • Which dimension would you most like to improve this year?
• Practical insight: social wellness often emerges as a focus for young adults who are building new friendships and networks; this is a critical window for forming life-long relationships.

Dimensions of Wellness: Toward a Balanced Life

• The seven dimensions: occupational, intellectual, physical, social, emotional, spiritual, financial.
• How each dimension connects to daily life:
  • Social: friendships, family relationships, community; building a supportive network is crucial during university transition.
  • Occupational: job satisfaction, meaningful work, performance expectations, and alignment with study goals.
  • Physical: disease avoidance, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and safe behaviors.
  • Intellectual: ongoing learning, cognitive engagement, stimulation from coursework and life experiences.
  • Emotional: self-esteem, stress management, resilience, coping strategies.
  • Spiritual: sense of purpose, meaning, connection to beliefs, and values.
  • Financial: budgeting, tuition management, financial stability, planning for the future.
• An integrated view: true wellness is not merely the absence of illness but the alignment of these dimensions to support a purposeful, enjoyable life.

Life Stages and Wellness: A Closer Look at Changes Over Time

• Young adulthood (students): high emphasis on intellectual wellness; physical health generally good; social wellness often underdeveloped due to new environments; emotional wellness developing; spiritual wellness relatively stable.
• Early career and family formation: social obligations increase; emotional well-being can rise due to family; occupational wellness grows as careers take shape; physical health may decline due to time pressures.
• Parent/empty-nest stage: occupational wellness peaks as career advances; financial wellness often improves; social life may shrink due to family responsibilities; physical health may decline with age.
• Later years: potential declines in physical and financial wellness; intellectual wellness can decrease if not actively engaged; spiritual and emotional wellness can remain stable or deepen with different life perspectives.
• Application for students: identify where you are now, anticipate future shifts, and plan to invest in dimensions that will be most impactful for long-term well-being.

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Personal Growth: An Honest Self-Assessment

• Central claim: wellness is about aligning life with who you are and recognizing your unique capabilities and limits.
• Key takeaway: we are not all Olympic athletes or future CEOs; wellness involves balancing strengths and limitations and finding meaningful ways to apply them.
• Case for resilience: individuals with illness or disability can still achieve high levels of wellness in other dimensions; one area’s weakness does not necessitate overall poor wellness.
• Practical guidance: use honest self-assessment to identify strengths to leverage and weaknesses to improve, with a focus on holistic growth rather than perfection across all dimensions.

Functional Movement and Real-World Fitness: Moving with Purpose

• Concept: functional movement focuses on abilities needed for daily life rather than just maximizing gym performance.
• Examples explained:
  • The idea that daily tasks (driving, groceries, mobility) determine functional needs, not just isolated gym movements.
  • The analogy of “elliptical workouts” vs. real-life tasks: some gym activities may not translate to daily function.
  • Daily life examples: walking across campus, carrying items, stairs, and routine chores.
• Interplay with nutrition and social context:
  • What you eat, whom you eat with, and how you eat (e.g., sitting down vs. eating on the run) can influence both physical health and social well-being.
• Practical takeaway: design workouts and routines around tasks you actually perform; emphasize activities that improve daily living tasks, not just muscle aesthetics.
• Note on accessibility: you don’t necessarily need a gym to stay physically active; simple daily movement and intentional nutrition matter.

Practical Announcements and Course Logistics

• Email etiquette: before emailing, consider whether your question might affect a large cohort; 300+ students could overwhelm inboxes.
• Break week resources: additional resources on the medicine wheel and Indigenous teachings are available on Brightspace after class; links will be provided there.
• Next steps: class continues on Tuesdays; students are encouraged to engage, reflect, and apply concepts to their own lives.

Quick Reference: Key Dates and Concepts

• 1975: John Travis founded the first wellness resource center in the United States; early model of wellness in North America.
• 7–9 hours: recommended sleep window for adolescents/young adults.
• Five servings of fruits/vegetables: commonly cited daily target in health guidelines.
• Figure references:
  • Figure $1.5$: Travis wellness continuum (premature death to purposeful, enjoyable living).
  • Figure $1.7$: Wellness dimensions wheel with seven dimensions (occupational, intellectual, physical, social, emotional, spiritual, financial).
• Medicine wheel video content outlines: circle with four quadrants/colors; balance among mind, body, emotions, and spirit; interconnectedness of life and environment; not universal across nations.

Summary Takeaways

• Wellness is multi-dimensional and dynamic across the lifespan, shaped by both internal choices and external determinants.
• The social determinants of health (income, housing, access to resources, family structure) meaningfully influence health behaviors such as physical activity, diet, and sleep.
• Historical and cultural contexts (Hippocratic Oath, Greek deities, Indigenous medicine wheel) illuminate diverse pathways to understanding wellness.
• The medicine wheel teaches balance, interconnectedness, and the importance of self-awareness and knowledge transfer.
• Well-being is achieved by aligning personal strengths with meaningful, purposeful living while managing limitations and leveraging social support.
• Functional movement emphasizes practical, daily-life capabilities and the integration of wellness dimensions (not just fitness in a gym).
• Community and relationships are central to wellness, especially during university transitions; actively building connections enhances social wellness.

Resources Mentioned

• Indigenous medicine wheel video and related resources on Brightspace (link provided post-class).
• Textbook figures: Figure $1.5$ (wellness continuum) and Figure $1.7$ (dimensions of wellness wheel).
• Optional poster: Free medicine wheel poster (link in video description).