Introduction to Health

health and wellness

• health: the condition of a person’s body, mind, emotions, and relationships
• wellness: a way of living each day that is based on healthy attitudes
• health triangle
  • three corners – physical, social, mental
• ranges of health
  • exist on a continuum:
  • risk behaviors ←→ wellness behaviors
  • premature death ←→ optimal health
• health status is a combination of the healthful and risk behaviors one selects during their life
• steps to optimal health
  • determine current health status
  • obtain information on how to stay healthy
  • take action
• value: a standard or belief that is important to an individual
• character: a person’s use of self control to act on their values
• goal: a desired achievement to which a person works
  • goal setting process:
  • state your goal — make sure it’s specific, measurable, and realistic
  • write it down and come up with an action plan (steps you need to reach the goal)
  • set a target date to accomplish the goal and revise it when necessary
  • keep track of your progress — this will encourage you to stick to your goal
  • identify possible obstacles and people who can help you achieve your goal

responsible decision making

responsible decision making model: five steps

• note that often, responsible decisions are less popular

1. identify the problem
2. identify alternatives (solutions)
3. apply criteria — healthy, legal, safe, respectful of self, respectful of others, respectful of parents, demonstrative of good character
4. make a decision
5. evaluate pros and cons or two pros to the decision

example of responsible decision making

1. scenario: parents aren’t home, alcohol is present at a party (underage drinking, staying out of trouble)

4. decision: leave
5. pro: you won’t get in trouble; con: potentially leads to friend issues

peer pressure

• peer pressure: [usually negative] influence from members of one's peer group

• takes many different forms (four major types)

  • friendly pressure: eventually saying yes, repetition
  • teasing pressure: making fun, degradation
  • heavy pressure: threats, experience loss
  • unseen pressure: one’s pressures on oneself

• refusal skills (the ability to refuse actions that don’t fit with responsible decision making) helps combat peer pressure

personality

• self esteem: confidence in self
• self concept: perception of self
• the three selves
  • private self: how one acts when by oneself or with people they feel comfortable with
  • public self: how one acts when they are with large groups of people or those they don’t know very well
  • ideal self: how one would like to be or be perceived as
• personality types
  • type A: leaders; a temperament characterized by excessive ambition, aggressive attitude, drive, and a focus on quantity over quality
  • type B: followers; a temperament characterized by moderate ambition and drive, accommodating attitude, focus on quality over quantity, and generally easy going approach to life

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