At the beginning of the 20th century the life expectancy for a child born in the United States was 47 years. The most common health problems were infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, diphtheria, influenza, kidney disease, polio, and other diseases of infancy. Medical advancements have largely eliminated these diseases. The current life expectancy in the United States is 78.5 years. Concomitant with these medical advancements have come technological advancements that have produced an environment that has almost eliminated the need for physical exertion. Additionally, we have access to readily available, processed, high fat, high caloric foods, the portion sizes of which have increased significantly over the last fifty years.
This series of events has given rise to significant increases in chronic diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes (collectively referred to as Metabolic Diseases), and many forms of cancer. Cardiovascular disease and cancer cause approximately 62% of all deaths in the United States. A healthy lifestyle program could prevent almost 80% of these deaths. In fact, epidemiologists have estimated that 83% of the deaths occurring before the age of 65 are preventable. As a society we accept, as a natural part of the aging process, the increase in our body weight, the additional aches and pains, the more frequent visits to the doctor for a variety of symptoms, the slowing down and loss of productivity, and the inability to participate in various activities of daily living. Is this increase in chronic diseases a natural consequence of living longer? Scientists say no; it is the natural consequence of poor lifestyle choices, not a requirement of the aging process. Unfortunately, we have a healthcare system designed to take action only after the individual becomes ill. Consequently 95 cents of every dollar spent on “healthcare” in this country goes toward illness treatment, with only 5 cents of each dollar spent on prevention. This model has produced an annual healthcare expenditure of more than $2.5 trillion – over ten times the $256 billion spent in 1980 – and expenditure is increasing each year. Albert Einstein described this phenomenon many years ago when he defined insanity: “Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
In short, our society has not, and will not, solve the problem by attempting to manage health by adding more doctors, nurses, hospitals, procedures, and devices.
A large percentage of the “healthcare” expenditures and our ill-health are associated with poor lifestyle choices, lifestyle choices that we make every day, lifestyle choices that have outcomes. Are you satisfied with your outcomes? Are you enjoying your life to the fullest? If not, in keeping with Einstein’s definition of insanity; it is time to make a different choice. The choice is to make changes in your lifestyle practices, such that you move from a path toward “illness” to one of “wellness.”
The term “wellness” has numerous definitions. The Encarta Dictionary defines wellness as “mental and physical soundness” while Merriam-Webster states that wellness is “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal.” The concept of wellness is not new. In fact Hippocrates, in 370 B.C., alludes to wellness in the following statement:
All parts of the body which have a function, if used in moderation and exercised in labors to which each is accustomed, become healthy and well developed and age slowly. But if unused and left idle, they become liable to disease, defective in growth and age quickly.
The roots of Western modern day wellness lie in the Eastern teachings of body, mind, and spirit that suggest that these three elements must coexist in harmony and balance. Halbert Dunn, M.D., in 1961, published one of the earliest Western definitions of wellness. Dr. Dunn defines wellness
as “an integrated method of functioning which is oriented toward maximizing the potential of which the individual is capable of functioning within the environment.”
Accordingly, wellness is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity; it is a process to which one commits in order to consistently improve one’s quality of existence. Wellness thereby is a way of life. It is a design for living life to one’s fullest and, perhaps most importantly, it is a choice. We make choices every day, some of which are in accordance with the maximizing of our potential while others may inhibit or interfere with that goal.
One can perhaps better describe than define wellness.
- Wellness is a process of achieving one’s full potential; this process requires participant involvement, takes a conscious effort, and involves continual evolution.
- Wellness is a choice that we each have the opportunity to make.
- Wellness is positive, affirming, and empowering.
- Wellness is independent of religious affiliation or beliefs.
- Wellness is multidimensional, and each of the six dimensions is interrelated and overlapping. These dimensions follow:
- Social
- Intellectual
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Occupational
- Emotional
Although this process may sound time-consuming, it is not- especially if we compare the time invested in wellness to the time spent being ill. Doctors appointments, diagnostic tests, recovery and rehabilitation from various injuries or infirmities, inability to enjoy and participate in activities of daily living, lost productivity, not to mention the associated financial costs all require time. Additionally, as we age, we spend more of our time dealing with these lifestyle-related illnesses.
Wellness does require an initial investment of time, or more accurately stated it requires a reallocation of our existing time. We can change anything. The first step in the change process is making the decision that we need to change, and then we must take action on that decision by implementing a results-oriented program that replaces our illness-promoting behaviors with wellness-facilitating behaviors. It is a lifestyle change with the outcome being enhanced health and well-being. Learn how TCU is supporting this change on the Wellness Gold Website.
This article was written by David E. Upton, TCU Human Resources, for the Fall 2013 Issue of Insights Magazine.