Health & Wellbeing​

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Wellbeing - Definitions

 

• Health and wellbeing, although two separate terms, are now more commonly considered together as one concept.

 

• There has been ongoing debate about the meaning of the word health since the first commonly accepted definition was released by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1946. It states that ‘health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’.

 

• This definition is the one most commonly used by health professionals to define health. Although this definition has moved beyond disease and infirmity, it does not give everyone the opportunity to be considered healthy. Some have argued that this definition makes good health unattainable for most people.

 

• In 1986, WHO clarified this definition of health as ‘a resource for everyday life, not the objective of living. Health is a positive concept emphasising social and personal resources, as well as physical capacities’. With this in mind, the definition of health becomes more inclusive and more achievable. The focus on personal resources and physical capacities means that health is dependent on an individual’s own situation. A person can be considered healthy even if they do not have ‘complete’ wellbeing in the dimensions of physical, social and mental health.

 

• The WHO definition of health makes reference to the concept of wellbeing. Wellbeing and health are related, and are often described as how well an individual is living. Wellbeing is strongly linked to all the dimensions of health.

 

• Health and wellbeing relates to the state of a person’s physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing and is characterised by an equilibrium in which the individual feels happy, healthy, capable and engaged.

 

• An individual’s health and wellbeing is constantly changing; therefore, the WHO has used the term ‘state’ when defining health. Health and wellbeing can be optimal one moment, and then events, such as accidents, illness, relationship breakdowns and stressful incidents, can change a person’s state of health and wellbeing quickly. Health and wellbeing can also improve quickly. For example, a person suffering from a migraine can be described as experiencing poor health and wellbeing. However, resting and taking medication may soon restore their health and wellbeing.

 

• Overall health and wellbeing includes the five dimensions of health, as well as how a person feels about their life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health & Wellbeing - Dimensions (PMESS)

There are five different dimensions of health and wellbeing:

Physical - Physical Health and Wellbeing relates to the functioning of the body and its systems, including the physical capacity to perform daily activities or tasks without physical restriction.

Mental - Mental Health and Wellbeing refers to the current state of wellbeing relating to the mind or brain and to the ability to think and process information.

Emotional - Emotional Health and Wellbeing is defined as the ability to express feelings in a positive way. Emotional health is about the positive management and expression of emotional actions and reactions as well as the ability to display resilience.

Social - Social Health and Wellbeing is concerned with the ability to form meaningful and satisfying relationships with others, as well as the ability to manage or adapt appropriately to different social situations. 

Spiritual - Spiritual Health and Wellbeing can be defined as ideas, beliefs, values and ethics that arise in the mind and conscience of human beings. It includes the concepts of hope, peace, a guiding sense of meaning or value, and reflection on a person’s place in the world. Spiritual health and wellbeing can also relate to organised religion, a higher power and prayer, values, a sense of purpose in life, connection or belonging.

Although the physical aspect of health and wellbeing is important, the other four dimensions should be recognised as equally important.

 

Optimal Health & Wellbeing

(WHO 1946) “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

According to this definition it can be hard for some people to get to a place of “complete physical, mental and social well-being” (not that we shouldn’t try). So, optimal health must be personal. It depends on where you’ve been, healthwise, and where you are today. For example, optimal health for an Australian Track Athlete is going to look very different than it is for a 60 year old woman with diabetes and high blood pressure.

So - Optimal health is about being as healthy as only you can be.

If you aim at optimal health, you need to eat nutritiously and move your body regularly in ways that are appropriate for your fitness level.

 

Dynamic Nature of Health & Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing is continually changes. This represents the dynamic nature of health and wellbeing. The way an individual sees health and wellbeing is also subjective and is different for most people based on factors such as age, illness, culture and family.

 

 

The Health Continuum

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXCURSION ASSIGNMENT

 

LEARNING GOAL

This lesson students will further develop their understanding of Health & Wellbeing 

SUCCESS CRITERIA
Participation in all activities

• Warmup - Rock, Paper, Scissors 

• Plan Year 10 Health Excursion

  • Name

  • Address

  • Cost

  • Transport

  • Uniform/Casual

  • Justify your excursion in line with the Dimensions of Health & Wellbeing

    • Physical

    • Mental

    • Emotional

    • Social

    • Spirtual

• Construct a Health & Wellbeing Mindmap from your notes to date.