Whole Health Check-In
In a whole health check-in we take into account that we have physical, intellectual, social, emotional, vocational and spiritual needs - the neglect of which reduces the ability of one to withstand the effects of stress. And we live in socio-economic conditions that can enhance or demean our long-term well-being.
What follows are two inventories – Personal Well Being (PWB) and Socio-economic Well Being (SWB). Items in PWB are things that can be addressed almost immediately – but situations in SWB take a very long time. Both are essential components of the whole health check in.
What follows are two inventories – Personal Well Being (PWB) and Socio-economic Well Being (SWB). Items in PWB are things that can be addressed almost immediately – but situations in SWB take a very long time. Both are essential components of the whole health check in.
Personal Well Being – in a nutshell
PHYSICAL HEALTH
• Nutrition
• “Anti-nutrients” including alcohol, junk food, caffeine, illegal drugs and nicotine use
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Check in with Dr/NP (weight, blood pressure, blood work including hemoglobin, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and thyroid functioning)
SOCIAL – Relationships with…
• Partner
• Friends
• Parents or Guardians
• Children or Dependents
EMOTIONAL
• Personal time or “down-time”
• Hobbies
• Good sense of humor
SPIRITUALITY
• That which gives meaning to one's life and draws one to transcend oneself.
• Volunteering
INTELLECTUAL
• Our brains need regular and diverse stimulation.
OCCUPATIONAL
• We thrive on meaningful, paying work.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
• Nutrition
• “Anti-nutrients” including alcohol, junk food, caffeine, illegal drugs and nicotine use
• Sleep
• Exercise
• Check in with Dr/NP (weight, blood pressure, blood work including hemoglobin, cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and thyroid functioning)
SOCIAL – Relationships with…
• Partner
• Friends
• Parents or Guardians
• Children or Dependents
EMOTIONAL
• Personal time or “down-time”
• Hobbies
• Good sense of humor
SPIRITUALITY
• That which gives meaning to one's life and draws one to transcend oneself.
• Volunteering
INTELLECTUAL
• Our brains need regular and diverse stimulation.
OCCUPATIONAL
• We thrive on meaningful, paying work.
WHOLE HEALTH – The Questionnaire
PHYSICAL
Even though these are not really True/False topics – most of us are somewhere in between – label these anyways, just to get a sense of your whole health! Most of these are things you can improve quickly and easily.
1. Nutritious food – I have a diet chock full of veggies.
T / F
2. Water – I make a point of drinking at least four cups a day.
T / F
Anti-nutrition
3. Junk Food – I avoid junk food.
T / F
4. Cigarettes - I don’t smoke.
T / F
5. Alcohol – I don’t drink. Or I limit myself to no more than one a day.
T / F
6. Illegal Drugs – I don’t use them.
T / F
7. Caffeine – I don’t use caffeine.
T / F
*****
8. Sleep – I get at least 8 hours a night.
T / F
9. Exercise – I get the equivalent of one hour of fast walking every day.
T / F
10. Check in with Dr/NP - I've had a physical assessment within the last year.
T / F
PHYSICAL
Even though these are not really True/False topics – most of us are somewhere in between – label these anyways, just to get a sense of your whole health! Most of these are things you can improve quickly and easily.
1. Nutritious food – I have a diet chock full of veggies.
T / F
2. Water – I make a point of drinking at least four cups a day.
T / F
Anti-nutrition
3. Junk Food – I avoid junk food.
T / F
4. Cigarettes - I don’t smoke.
T / F
5. Alcohol – I don’t drink. Or I limit myself to no more than one a day.
T / F
6. Illegal Drugs – I don’t use them.
T / F
7. Caffeine – I don’t use caffeine.
T / F
*****
8. Sleep – I get at least 8 hours a night.
T / F
9. Exercise – I get the equivalent of one hour of fast walking every day.
T / F
10. Check in with Dr/NP - I've had a physical assessment within the last year.
T / F
SOCIAL – Relationships with…
11. Partner – I have a special person in my life who cares about me, and I care for that person.
T / F
12. Friends – I have pals I can talk to or go out with.
T / F
13. Family - I get along with family well enough.
T / F
EMOTIONAL
14. Personal time or “down-time” – I have “me” time.
T / F
15. Hobbies – I enjoy a pursuit that is different from my job.
T / F
16. Good sense of humor – I love to laugh.
T / F
SPIRITUALITY
17. Religious practice – I have a sense of meaning in life that transcends myself.
T / F
18. Volunteering
INTELLECTUAL
19. My brain gets regular and diverse stimulation.
T / F
OCCUPATIONAL
20. Meaningful, well-paying work work (with a good benefits package) have I.
T / F
OTHER (Bonus Point)
21. RESILIENCE – I can bounce back from disappointments.
T / F
TOTAL:
T=
F=
How did you do with the Personal Well Being part of the whole health check in? Want to change any of these? It’s within your control – but as always I encourage you to get an accountability partner if you have areas you need and want to change. You need a strategy and a “mom.”
Next, let's take a look at the Socio-Economic Well Being of the whole health inventory.
11. Partner – I have a special person in my life who cares about me, and I care for that person.
T / F
12. Friends – I have pals I can talk to or go out with.
T / F
13. Family - I get along with family well enough.
T / F
EMOTIONAL
14. Personal time or “down-time” – I have “me” time.
T / F
15. Hobbies – I enjoy a pursuit that is different from my job.
T / F
16. Good sense of humor – I love to laugh.
T / F
SPIRITUALITY
17. Religious practice – I have a sense of meaning in life that transcends myself.
T / F
18. Volunteering
INTELLECTUAL
19. My brain gets regular and diverse stimulation.
T / F
OCCUPATIONAL
20. Meaningful, well-paying work work (with a good benefits package) have I.
T / F
OTHER (Bonus Point)
21. RESILIENCE – I can bounce back from disappointments.
T / F
TOTAL:
T=
F=
How did you do with the Personal Well Being part of the whole health check in? Want to change any of these? It’s within your control – but as always I encourage you to get an accountability partner if you have areas you need and want to change. You need a strategy and a “mom.”
Next, let's take a look at the Socio-Economic Well Being of the whole health inventory.
Books and Videos
Books
“It's All in Your Head: Change Your Mind - Change Your Health” by Mark C. Pettus and Mark Liponis, Capital Books, 2006
“Faith and Health: Psychological Perspectives” by Thomas G. Plante and Allen C. Sherman, Guilford Press, 2001
Video
The Wellness Concept – Why not watch the entire series!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01HUCSnOikY
“It's All in Your Head: Change Your Mind - Change Your Health” by Mark C. Pettus and Mark Liponis, Capital Books, 2006
“Faith and Health: Psychological Perspectives” by Thomas G. Plante and Allen C. Sherman, Guilford Press, 2001
Video
The Wellness Concept – Why not watch the entire series!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01HUCSnOikY
Keeping your body, mind and soul healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything. - Thich Nhat Hanh
