Partly as a result of the trend toward disease-preventive lifestyles, some health experts have advocated that we strive for a level of health that is not just adequate, but much better than adequate.
In their view, health may be thought of in terms of increasing levels of healthfulness-or increasing levels of wellness, a term that is currently popular-and levels of wellness, a term that is currently popular-and the goals is “optimum health”, or “high-level wellness”.
Various viewpoints are represented in this approach. Some wellness advocates emphasize nutrition; some, the sense of well-being that can be derived from physical fitness activities; some, the rewards of stress-management techniques such as meditation and Yoga, which can calm people and help them get in touch with themselves. But most of the proponents of the “wellness movement” see health as not an end in itself, but as a means to a richer, fuller existence. As one writer has put it, the goal of the wellness approch is “optimal personal fitness for a fruitful and creative life”.
Whether or not you choose to make a conscious effort to gain “high-level wellness”, it is worthwhile to think about the underlying message of the wellness movement. John Lennon once wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you`re busy making other plans”. While your “other plans” are developing-education, career, marriage, adventure-it`s a good idea to stop once in a while and think about your own daily well-being. Are you getting enjoyment out of your personal relationships? Are you finding time to explore your hobbies and interests-not just rushing to complete those tasks you`re obliged to do? Are you taking steps to maintain and improve your physical health? All these are dimensions of your life that can help you derive more satisfaction from life every day. The key is to stay in touch with your own values and feelings; only you can decide exactly what combination of these elements will make your life more worthwhile.
Whether or not you choose to make a conscious effort to gain “high-level wellness”, it is worthwhile to think about the underlying message of the wellness movement. John Lennon once wrote, “Life is what happens to you while you`re busy making other plans”. While your “other plans” are developing-education, career, marriage, adventure-it`s a good idea to stop once in a while and think about your own daily well-being. Are you getting enjoyment out of your personal relationships? Are you finding time to explore your hobbies and interests-not just rushing to complete those tasks you`re obliged to do? Are you taking steps to maintain and improve your physical health? All these are dimensions of your life that can help you derive more satisfaction from life every day. The key is to stay in touch with your own values and feelings; only you can decide exactly what combination of these elements will make your life more worthwhile.
References :
Howard S. Hoyman, “Re-thinking an Ecologic System of Man`s Health, Disease, Aging, and Death”, Journal of School Health 45, No. 9, 1975.
John Lennon, “Beautiful Boy”, Lenono Music, Inc, 1980.
Marvin R Levy, Mark Dignan, Janet H Shirreffs, Essentials of Life & Health, Fourth Edition, Random House, New York, 1984.
