According to holistic approaches to health and wellness, which align better with the WHO’s definition of holistic health as previously mentioned, an individual’s bio-psycho-social-spiritual state is always in a state of dynamic interaction with their surroundings; modifications to one of these aspects also affect the other aspects of the individual and the environment they are in.

Adaptation Frameworks

The ability of a client to adjust and deal with changes is the definition of health according to adaptation models and theories of health. Health is promoted when the client is able to cope well and in a healthy way, while disease and illness arise when the person is not adjusting to the change.

Models of Role Performance

Put simply, someone is deemed healthy and in excellent health when they are able to carry out their various obligations without difficulty; on the other hand, someone is deemed sick when they are unable to do so. For instance, a client managing a chronic illness like diabetes or heart disease is deemed healthy as long as they are able to work and fulfil their parental responsibilities.

The Illness-Health Continuum

According to Ryan and Travis, there is a continuum of health and illness, with high levels of wellness and health at one extreme and high levels of illness and bad health, including mortality itself, at the other. This continuum is described as follows. This continuum, commonly called the neutral zone, shows neither health nor disease at the centre.

The Agent – Host – Environment Model

According to Leavell and Clark’s Agent-Host-Environment Model, sickness and illness are a result of the dynamic interactions and interrelationships that exist between the agent, the host, and the environment. The Agent-Host-Environment Model is useful for gaining a deeper comprehension of illnesses and diseases, but it is ineffective in promoting health and well-being.

In this approach, the factor or force that causes the illness or disorder is called the agent. The agent may take the form of a mechanical, chemical, psychological, social, or physical force or element. For instance, when the host and the environment engage with an agent like bacteria, it can result in an infectious disease; similarly, when the body and the environment interact with harmful chemicals, it can result in a disease or disorder.

When a client interacts with an agent and the environment interacts with both the client and the agent, the host is the individual who may be impacted by a sickness or ailment. Certain clients are more prone to infection than others, as was previously mentioned in the section on infection control. For instance, when a client is impacted by risk factors related to the disease or disorder, such as gender, age, and lifestyle choices, their vulnerability and susceptibility to illnesses and diseases increase.

Everything that is outside of the client’s control is included in the environment. A person may be predisposed to wellness by certain environmental circumstances, while other environmental aspects may put the person at risk for sickness or illness. A physical environmental factor, such as appropriate noise levels and living circumstances, can promote health, whereas a social stressor, such as the death of a loved one, predisposes the host to disease and sickness.

The Systems Model of Neumann

The foundation of Neumann’s Systems Model is the idea that, as an open system existing in its surroundings, humans have inherent boundaries that shield them from external stresses.

These defensive barriers, which shield the open system from external stresses and penetration, include the lines of resistance, the standard lines of defence, and the flexible lines of defence. The nurses’ strengthening of these defences to preserve health and fend off illnesses and diseases is part of health promotion.

The Dimensions Model of Health

Six aspects make up the aspects of the Model of Health, and they have an effect on populations, families, communities, and individual clients as well as client groups. Unlike other abstract models of health and wellness, such as the Holistic Model and the Systems Model of Neumann, this model is quite concrete, which makes it extremely helpful for nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing care for their clients.

The following are the six aspects of health:

1. The biophysical dimension encompasses physical risk factors for diseases and illnesses, such as an individual’s age, genetic makeup, and the existence of any abnormalities in their anatomical structure.

2. The client’s level of cognition, willingness and motivation to engage in health and wellness activities, and ability to adjust to and manage changes, including those associated with illness and disease, are all included in the psychological and emotional dimension of the client’s experience.

3. The behavioural dimension pertains to the decisions made by the customer concerning their lifestyle and activities. A healthy diet, regular exercise, and abstaining from drugs are a few examples of the elements that make up the behavioural dimension of health and wellness.

4. Socio-cultural Dimension: This dimension covers social forces including socioeconomic position and support networks; the cultural component of the socio-cultural dimension covers items like the client’s culturally-based beliefs, customs, and values.

5. Physical Environment Dimension: This dimension covers elements and pressures from the outside world that may have a favourable or unfavourable effect on the health of the clients. In the environment, for instance, clean air and drinking water promote health, but air pollution and tainted drinking water have a detrimental effect on the health of individuals who are exposed to them.

6. The Health Systems Dimension pertains to the availability, affordability, and accessibility of health care and related resources and services for clients to achieve their health-related requirements.

The Seven Components of Wellness

Being healthy goes beyond simply being free from illness or disability. Rather than being a passive or static condition, it is the conscious and active evolution of the entire self. Intentions, decisions, and deeds that lead to the best possible condition of well-being—that is, to thrive as opposed to just surviving—are what make someone feel well. Seven dimensions are often associated with wellness: mental, physical, social, economical, spiritual, environmental, and occupational.

The Dimensions Model of Health and the Seven Components of Wellness, which are attributed to Anspaugh, Hamrick, and Rosato, are comparable in that the former has fewer components than the latter and some are distinct.

Each of these aspects affects and is influenced by the others. Our overall well-being is impacted when one of its aspects is out of balance. In order to achieve well-being, one must be proactive, understanding how to be well in all dimensions and acting to create routines, habits, and coping mechanisms that support wellness.

1. Mental Wellness

All facets of mental health, emotional state, and well-being, as well as their interactions, are included in mental wellness. Your everyday thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are therefore influenced by your mental health. Each facet of mental wellness is impacted in turn, and managing life’s typical challenges is one of them.

Anxiety, mood, emotions, stress management, self-care, preventing suicide, and helping those with lived experience are a few possible topics.

Techniques to improve your mental health:

• To cultivate mindfulness, focus your attention on the here and now rather than mentally revisiting the past or projecting the future.
• Make use of self-care and relaxing techniques that suit you.
• Consult a professional, your family, your friends, and your community for support.
• Get adequate sleep, eat healthfully, and exercise frequently.
• Effectively communicate your feelings and emotions, and engage in constructive self-talk.

2. Physical Wellness

A range of healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, sound sleep, sexual health, and substance abuse, are all part of physical wellness. Physical wellness entails forming healthy behaviors that will extend your life and make you happier as well as knowing about illness and damage prevention.

Active living, substance abuse, good routines and habits, diet, sound sleep, and sexual health are a few possible topics.

Techniques to improve your physical health:

• Include regular exercise in your daily routine; try to achieve 150 minutes or more of moderate aerobic activity per week.
• Consume more fresh foods—such as five to ten servings of fruits and vegetables each day—instead of processed foods.
• While studying, take a quick break and go for a stroll.
• Learn about the dangers of all drugs, even marijuana and alcohol.
• Get seven to eight hours of sleep every night.
• To enhance mental efficiency, avoid weariness, and encourage healthy sleep habits, try waking up at the same time every day.
• Steer clear of tobacco and vaping as well as smoking.
• Water is a better option than sugary beverages like juices and sports drinks.

3. Social Wellness

Our interactions with others and our community are what make us socially healthy. It covers consent, wholesome relationships, effective communication, and support networks. Creating a network of friends, family, colleagues, and professionals is also important.

Healthy transitions, loneliness, consent and relationships, communication techniques, and change adaptation are a few possible topics.

Techniques to improve your social welfare:

• Take time for yourself and for others in balance.
• Keep an open mind toward new situations and individuals.
• To learn more about strange cultures and practices, observe people and pose inquiries.
• Seek out possibilities and show yourself open to doing new things, including volunteering, playing team sports, joining clubs or organizations, and meeting new people.
• Recognize the role consent plays in many facets of your social life, including interactions between sexual partners and peers, new friends, and more.
• Participate in community service or on campus.

4. Financial Wellness

The relationship between our finances and our well-being is known as financial wellness. It is the harmonious coexistence of your financial commitments and your aspirations. Every element of a person’s wellness is impacted when they are experiencing financial difficulties.

Budgeting, meal planning, and healthy living on a tight budget are a few possible topics.

Techniques to improve your financial well-being:

• Pay using cash rather than a debit or credit card to prevent overspending.
• Engage in low-cost self-care activities like hiking, potlucks, game evenings, etc.
• Make more of your own meals and eat less out to save money.
• Establish a weekly spending plan for items like groceries, entertainment, and savings.
• Utilize grant and scholarship applications.
• When making a purchase, use sale flyers or mobile applications with online coupons (like the Flipp app).

5. Spiritual Wellness

Our set of values, tenets, and beliefs that guide our lives are all part of our spiritual wellness. In the end, finding meaning and purpose in our daily lives promotes wellness.

Compassion, morals, values, spirituality, thankfulness, self-awareness, meditation, and harmony with nature are a few possible topics.

Techniques to improve your spiritual well-being:

• Spending time with loved ones can help you to strengthen your ties with other people.
• Take a walk outside and engage in mindfulness exercises to establish a connection with nature.
• Spend some time in silent thought or prayer.
• Look into local religious services.
• Talk openly about values with your loved ones, friends, or spouse.
• Select pastimes or pursuits that let you consider your purpose and meaning.

6. Vocational Wellness

Attaining purpose, enjoyment, and a fulfilling life via skill and talent utilization is the essence of vocational wellness. Increasing knowledge and emphasizing self-development and self-discovery are key components of vocational well-being. It also involves looking for possibilities that, in light of your values, interests, and beliefs, are personally fulfilling and meaningful for you.

Goal-setting, time management, education, study habits, abilities, and interests are a few possible topics.

Ways to improve your work-related well-being:

• Take on a range of adventures to broaden your knowledge.
• To keep your balance in life and your well-being, manage your time.
• Learn what tactics are effective for you and identify areas in which you require support.
• Engage in volunteer work to help you identify your interests and the kind of work you wish to be performing.
• Everybody has a unique route, so try not to compare yours to theirs.

7. Environmental Wellness

The way your surroundings enhance your well-being is known as environmental wellness. It involves spending time in nature to achieve a sense of well-being and tranquillity.

Sustainable wellness, nature/forest treatment, and how your environment affects your well-being are a few such topics.

Techniques to improve your well-being in the environment:

• Whenever possible, choose to not drive a car and instead walk, ride a bike, or take the bus.
• Consume food that is produced nearby.
• When possible, make use of outside environments for good physical activity by strolling through parks, hiking, studying outdoors, etc.
• Defend yourself against environmental dangers like pollution, UV rays, loud noise, and secondhand smoke.
• Rather than using a treadmill, go for a walk or jog in a park or on a nature trail.
• Keep your living area tidy and orderly.

Conclusion

Florence Nightingale described health as the absence of illness and disease. This definition has evolved substantially over time. As of right now, health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Under the World Health Organization, “the process of enabling people to increase their control over, and improve their health” is health promotion. The healthcare profession and nurses are affected by these concepts of health and health promotion.

References

Seven Dimensions of Wellness n.d. Retrieved from 

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: NCLEX RN n.d.