Chapter Outline

TAKING CHARGE

• With knowledge of the connection between lifestyle choices and well-being comes the responsibility for making the right choices.

• Pursuing wellness involves a certain amount of perseverance and discipline.

• Focus on the positive outcomes of changing behaviors, rather than the effort involved.

PARTNERS IN PREVENTION

• Behaviors are influenced by the environment.

• Individuals, families, communities, corporations, and the government together share the task of enhancing the well-being of all Americans.

UNDERSTANDING QUACKERY

• The wellness area is a fertile ground for quackery.

• The educated consumer must be able to discriminate between credible and flimsy information.

CAMPUS WELLNESS

• Since wellness is best continued in a supportive environment, many colleges offer wellness programs.
• Colleges have an opportunity to prepare students not only for a lifetime career, but for lifetime wellness.

CAREER WELLNESS

• Since 50 percent of one's waking hours are spent at work, the workplace becomes a likely place to receive information and support wellness living.

• Employees are beginning to realize that a happy and healthy workforce is more productive.

• The promotion of wellness programs in business is based on four principles: (1) prevention is preferable to curing; (2) teaching people to stay healthy is generally less expensive than treating them when they are ill; (3) healthful lifestyles offer a better quality of life; (4) health promotion programs promote a favorable corporate image and help attract healthy, capable employees.

• Wellness programs in the workplace can involve: diagnosis; education; and/or behavior modification.

FAMILY WELLNESS

• The family unit is the primary transmitter of values and attitudes.

• The changing American family presents a wellness challenge.

THE WELL RELATIONSHIP

• Whom you marry or choose to spend your life with is one of the most important life decisions one makes.

• Like the wellness lifestyle, a relationship demands conscious effort, commitment, and personal sacrifice.

THE WELL CHILD

• Parents are master teachers of wellness living to children.

• It is easier to instill wellness habits to the young, before health-robbing habits develop.

• With physical inactivity, stress, and obesity rising rapidly among children and teens, it is important that parents create an environment that is conducive to optimum health and wellness.

PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUES

• Many accidents, which are the fifth overall cause of death in the U.S. (#1 for young adults), can be prevented with safety awareness and personal responsibility.

AUTOMOBILE SEAT BELTS

• Driver inattention (eating, using cellular phones, operating CD players, etc.) is now the fourth most serious detriment to safe driving, behind drunken driving, aggressive driving, and speeding.

• Driving while drowsy (DWD) accounts for 100,000 automobile crashes annually.

PERSONAL SAFETY AWARENESS

• Advanced planning and preparation can prevent many accidents, assaults, falls, and other personal injuries.

WELLNESS TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE

• The gradual shift from treatment of illness to attainment of wellness presents future trends and challenges.

TREND 1: CHANGES IN HEALTH CARE

• Medical care is shifting from the sickness business to the wellness business.

• Complementary and alternative therapies are gaining a more mainstream image because of the huge number of Americans (42%) who use such therapies.

TREND 2: AGING AMERICA

• The U.S. population is growing older; by 2030, 20 percent of the total population will be 65 years or older.

TREND 3: THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

• Research shows that stress, emotions, and mental states have a strong connection to the immune system.

CHALLENGE 1: DIVERSITY

• The racial, ethnic, and socio-economic composition of the U.S. is changing dramatically, creating health disparities among subgroups.

• Diversity presents challenges in meeting the health and wellness needs of everyone.

CHALLENGE 2: THE ENVIRONMENT

• Environmental issues are becoming more vital to our lives and future health.

• Everyone needs to assume personal responsibility in order to minimize pollution and overconsumption.

CHALLENGE 3: CULTIVATING A WELLNESS MINDSET IN EVERYONE

• Wellness can be found in the renewal of disciplined lifestyles, committed relationships, giving to others, and acceptance.

A PARTING THOUGHT

• Wellness is a journey in which the benefits are gained along the trip.

• Wellness involves seizing control over your own well-being and happiness.