The Wellness Triangle

THE WELLNESS TRIANGLE

• To be “Well” and Healthy – all three sides of the Triangle must be balanced.

• In other words, being healthy also means feeling good about yourself and getting along with others. Health is a combination of physical, mental/emotional, and social/spiritual well-being. The three sides of your health are connected, like the sides of a triangle.

The Health Triangle

Each side of your triangle is equally important to good health. By working to keep the sides balanced, you will be on your way to becoming a healthy person.

Wellness is an overall state of well-being. It involves doing you best in all three sides of the health triangle.

• Health is a combination of physical, mental/emotional, and social/spiritual well-being.

• Physical Health- includes total care of your body. – Keeping your body fit, practicing cleanliness and good grooming habits, and eating a

balanced diet.

• Mental/Emotional Health- includes liking who you are and accepting yourself.– Expressing emotions in a healthy way, facing life's problems, and dealing with its pressures

and stresses in a positive way.

• Social/Spiritual Health- getting along with others– Working or playing well in a group, making and

keeping friends, and giving and getting support when needed.

- Feeding your soul – becoming the person you were intended to be…THE BEST MODEL

• People who practice lifestyle factors appear to live longer happier lives.

• Positive Lifestyle Factors can affect your life now and for years to come.1. Never miss breakfast2. Eating three meals a day at regular times3. Getting 8 to nine hours of sleep each night (video)4. Staying at recommended level of weight5. Doing Vigorous exercise for 30 minutes at least 5 days a week.6. Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs7. Engage in positive relationships with others

• Taking control of your health depends on more that just recognizing healthy choices.

• Your personal attitudes – your feelings and beliefs – also play a role in how well you take care of yourself.

• Attitude also includes the way you feel about yourself.– If you like yourself and feel others do too, you will want

to take care of yourself.

• Wellness is a continuum ranging from death to optimal health.

• You can choose your behaviors to move closer to optimal health.• The choices you make regarding your

health now will influence your wellness for the REST of you life.

Take out a sheet of paper

• See if you ARE practicing good decision making as you look at each side of the Wellness Triangle. Answer honestly to yourself as you review each question? For each statement that follows answer YES or NO on your paper depending upon whether the statement is true for you

My Wellness TrianglePhysical Wellness Mental/Emotional Social/Spiritual1.) 1.) 1.)2.) 2.) 2.)3.) 3.) 3.)4.) 4.) 4.)5.) 5.) 5.)6.) 6.) 6.)

7.)8.)

LABEL YOUR PAPER

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

1. I get at least eight hours of sleep each night.

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

2. I eat a well balanced diet, including a healthful breakfast each day.

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

3. I keep my body, teeth, and hair clean and go to the doctor and dentist regularly.

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

4. I do at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity

each day.

PHYSICAL WELLNESS5. I avoid using tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs

PHYSICAL WELLNESS

6. I wear my seatbelt or helmet and practice basic safety.

1. I generally feel good about myself and accept who I am.

Mental/EmotionalWellness


2. I express my feelings clearly and calmly, even when I am angry

or sad.


3. I accept helpful criticism.


4. I have at least one activity that I enjoy.


5. I feel like people like and accept me.


6. I like to learn new information and develop new skills.

Social /Spiritual Wellness

1. I have at least one close friend.


2. I respect and care for my family


3. I know how to disagree with others without getting angry.


4. I am a good listener.


5. I get support from others when I need it.


6. I say no if people ask me to do something harmful or wrong.


7. Do you believe in something bigger than yourself?


8. Do you get satisfaction when you serve others?

Add up the number of yes answers for each of the 3 main categories of Health that you just answered questions for

RESULTS

CREATE A TRIANGLE ON YOUR PAPER WITH YOUR YES ANSWERS.LABEL YOUR TRIANGLE SIDES

WELLNESS TRIANGLE

PHYSICAL

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL

SOCIAL/SPIRITUAL

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YES

YESYES YES

YES

1.) Does your Health Triangle have equal sides?2.) Is there one area that you are strong in?3.) Is there an area that you need to work on?

THINK ABOUT IT

What can you do to improve your wellness and balance your triangle?On this paper – write a summary of what you could do to improve your wellness in each area!Use Smart AnswersBe sure to write your name and period # on your paper and place it in the assignment box when completed.

How we address this in our curriculum

PHYSICAL

BONES/MUSCLES/EXERCISE/EQUIPMENTDEVELOP A PERSONAL FITNESS PROGRAM FOR YOURSELFNUTRITION UNITCPRPERSONAL HYGENINE UNITPHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES EVERY OTHER DAY (FITNESS AND LIFETIME SPORTS)TUFF MUDDER/TRIATHLONFALL CHALLENGE CUPD.A.R.E.

Unit on Stress and Relaxation Techniques in PEDepression/Suicide unitPassion Topic ProjectThought-Provoking Video SeriesTeen dating violence – Heather’s Law

MENTAL/EMOTIONAL

Service learningCollaboration projects

Teamwork

SOCIAL/SPIRITUAL

• Wellness is the search for enhanced quality of life, personal growth, and potential through positive lifestyle behaviors and attitudes. If we take responsibility for our own health and well-being, we can improve our health on a daily basis. Certain factors influence our state of wellness, including nutrition, physical activity, stress-coping methods, good relationships, and career success.

• Each day we work toward maximizing our level of health and wellness to live long, full, and healthy lives. The pursuit of health, personal growth, and improved quality of life relies on living a balanced life. To achieve balance, we need to care for our mind, body, and spirit.

• If any of these three areas is consistently lacking or forgotten about, we will not be at our optimal level of health. We are constantly challenged with balancing each of these three areas throughout life.

Education

The Wellness Triangle