Unit 9 Final Project: Assess the concept and application of mind-body connectedness

Brianne N. Thomas

Purdue University Global

February 14, 2022
 Achieving a state of wellness is an active and continual process of becoming aware of

how your choices can lead and develop a fulfilling life towards growth and change. The WHO’s

original definition of health provided the foundation for defining wellness by emphasizing the

three dimensions wellness comprises: physical, mental, and social health. These dimensions

highlight that wellness not only comprises individual aspects but is an integrated whole.

Wellness results from a balance of the dimensions, allowing an individual to cope with life

circumstances and to achieve an optimal state of being. Thus, an operational definition of

wellness emphasizes lifestyle behaviors that go beyond basic health into optimal states across

multiple dimensions. (Bart, R., Ishak, W. W., Ganjian, S., Jaffer, K. Y., Abdelmesseh, M.,

Hanna, S., Gohar, Y., Azar, G., Vanle, B., Dang, J., & Danovitch, I., 2018). There are several

dimensions to consider when evaluating one’s current state of wellness. I have chosen questions

that fall within each of these dimension to help gain a better understanding of one’s overall state

of wellness.

Physical Dimension

Question 1. How many times a week do you engage in physical activity?

Response. Currently, I engage in physical activity 5 – 6 times a week. This includes going to

the gym (weight-lifting) and road cycling.

Why is this valuable? Regular physical activity has been shown to have numerous benefits for

an individual’s health. Immediate benefits include: better sleep, less anxiety/depression,

reduction in blood pressure. Some long term benefits include: lowered risk of heart disease,

weight management and bone health. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

Question 2. Do you have any injuries or illness?

Response. I have no current injuries or illnesses.

Why is this valuable? According to current estimates, more than 54 million Americans live with

some type of long lasting condition or disability. While these conditions are diverse and some are

due to trauma (e.g., spinal cord injury), many are the result of common chronic diseases such as

arthritis, heart disease, emphysema, and multiple sclerosis. (Stuifbergen, A. K., Morris, M.,

Jung, J. H., Pierini, D., & Morgan, S., 2010). Individuals experiencing a chronic or long lasting

injury/illness may be more susceptible to developing a mental health condition, so it’s important

to identify this.

Financial Dimension

Question 3. Do you currently have any debt?

Response. I do not currently carry any financial debts. I currently rent the house I am living in

and don’t have any car payments or credit card debts.

Why is this valuable? The stress of owing money can lead to anxiety about paying your bills on

time or having enough money to even cover your bills. This can lead to depression and an

overwhelming sense of failure. Additionally, many individuals lose sleep over how they are

going to financially afford their debt.

Question 4. Are you able to save money each month?

Response. I currently save at least 10% of my payday each month. Half of it is put into an

investment account and the other half is put into everyday savings.

Why is this valuable? In addition to minimizing stress – and therefore having more restful nights

– working on your financial wellness may help you afford more preventative healthcare
measures, like visiting your physician regularly, engaging in smoking cessation or weight-loss

programs, purchasing gym memberships and nutrition classes, preparing nutritious food and

more. Creating budget for preventative healthcare measures may mean you spend less on large

health costs down the road. (Education Center, 2021).

Intellectual Dimension

Question 5. Do you currently spend time on personal and professional development? If so, what

does that entail?

Response. I enjoy reading. So right now I am currently reading a book on personal development

which also helps me professionally develop.

Why is this valuable? Taking the time to invest in yourself is important to your overall wellness.

Developing your knowledge and skills can build your confidence and raise your self-esteem.

Professional development can also lead to increased productivity at work and promotion

potential. Taking the opportunity for growth and development in your own success, can lead to a

sense of empowerment.

Emotional Dimension

Question 6. Do you feel in control of your emotions when you are angry?

Response. Yes. I don’t let a lot of things bother me, so I don’t get angry much. To be honest, I

can’t remember the last time I actually got angry about something.

Why is this valuable? We’ve previously discussed the negative effects that anger can have on

your body. These include putting your cardiac health at risk, higher chances of stroke, and a

weakened immune system, as well as many more negative health consequences. Identifying
whether a patient has issues with anger is vital to develop a program to assist with the way that

they handle anger.

Social Dimension

Question 7. Are you currently in a relationship?

Yes. I’m married to you.

Question 8. Do you find it difficult to communicate or form relationships with others?

No. I keep my social circle small, but that is by choice. I have no difficulties communicating

with others.

Why is this valuable? Both of these questions are valuable in similar ways. Current research has

found that strong relationships relieve harmful levels of stress which can adversely affect your

immune system. Research has also identified that social support in the form of adivse or help

has positive impacts on mental health. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have

social support from family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health

problems, and live longer. (Harvard Health Publishing, 2010).

Spiritual Dimension

Question 9. What gives your life meaning?

Response. My family.

Why is this valuable? Having a sense of purpose in life attributes to your mental health. It gives

you something to look forward to and connected to. A sense of purpose also contributes to your

relationships and physical health.

Occupational Dimension

Question 10. Do you like your current workplace? What are some of the things you enjoy the

most? The least?

Response. I do enjoy it. I enjoy being surrounded by the Marines and it makes me feel

responsible for their health and welfare. Where I’m at right now, there isn’t much that I dislike.

Why is this valuable? We spend more time with our co-workers than our families. The work

environment contributes to employee health. A sick environment can threaten health through

biological and psychological pathways. Biologically, indoor air pollutants and toxins may cause

illness, such as the Sick Building Syndrome.1 Psychologically, office environments typified with

crowding and noise contribute to chronic stress. (Largo-Wight, E., Chen, W. W., Dodd, V., &

Weiler, R., 2011).

As a practitioner, the individual’s responses to these questions could assist in developing

a spiritual and psychological health plan by helping to define which dimensions of wellness that

the individual may have trouble finding balance in. Taking a moment to assess your client’s

current behaviors and how they influence overall wellness can assist in creating a healthier

lifestyle. Attention must be given to all the dimensions, as neglect of any one over time will

adversely affect the others, and ultimately one’s health, well-being, and quality of life. They do

not, however, have to be equally balanced. We should aim, instead, to strive for a “personal

harmony” that feels most authentic to us. We naturally have our own priorities, approaches, and

aspirations, including our own views of what it means to live life fully. (Stoewen D. L., 2017).

Once you identify an area of improvement you can provide resources that allow the client to

work towards their own fulfillment. The only changes I would make to the inventory of
questions listed above, is adding more. I don’t think 10 questions properly cover all 8

dimensions of wellness. I would recommend at least 5 questions per each dimension to get a

better understanding of what the individual needs in order to be fulfilled within all dimensions.
References
Bart, R., Ishak, W. W., Ganjian, S., Jaffer, K. Y., Abdelmesseh, M., Hanna, S., Gohar, Y., Azar,
G., Vanle, B., Dang, J., & Danovitch, I. (2018). The Assessment and Measurement of
Wellness in the Clinical Medical Setting: A Systematic Review. Innovations in clinical
neuroscience, 15(9-10), 14–23.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Health Benefits of Physical Activity for
Adults. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/health-benefits-of-physical-
activity-for-adults.html
Stuifbergen, A. K., Morris, M., Jung, J. H., Pierini, D., & Morgan, S. (2010). Benefits of
wellness interventions for persons with chronic and disabling conditions: a review of the
evidence. Disability and health journal, 3(3), 133–145.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.10.007
Education Center. (2021). The Role of financial Wellness in Overall Wellness.
https://education.bankerstrust.com/articles/role-of-financial-wellness-in-overall-wellness/
Harvard Health Publishing. (2010). The health benefits of strong relationships.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-strong-
relationships
Largo-Wight, E., Chen, W. W., Dodd, V., & Weiler, R. (2011). Healthy workplaces: the effects
of nature contact at work on employee stress and health. Public health reports
(Washington, D.C. : 1974), 126 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 124–130.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549111260S116
Stoewen D. L. (2017). Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. The
Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne, 58(8), 861–862.