Wellness and You
Session Objectives
You will be able to:
Define wellness and recognize its
benefits
Identify the six basic requirements of
a healthy life
Take proper precautions to prevent illness
Live a healthier life
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
What Is Wellness?
Things you need to do to stay healthy:
Avoid getting sick
Make wise decisions about your health
Replace bad habits with good ones
Make wellness a way of life
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Why Is It an Important
Issue in Your Life?
A focus on wellness
helps you:
• Prevent illness and
disease
• Reduce medical bills
• Feel more energetic
• Look better
• Live a longer,
happier life
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Six Basic Requirements
For a Healthy Life
Proper nutrition
Regular physical activity
Enough rest
Preventive health care
Positive attitude
Sense of balance
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Nutrition
A healthy diet contains:
• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Fat-free or low-fat milk
products
• Protein in meat, fish,
poultry, beans, eggs
A healthy diet is low in:
• Bad fats, cholesterol,
salt, and added sugar
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Nutrition (cont.)
Proper nutrition
helps you:
Reduce the risk
of disease
Maintain a
healthy weight
Be more energetic
Look better
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Exercise
• Regular physical
activity is essential
• To get enough
exercise takes
an extra effort
• Pick an activity
you enjoy
• Exercise at least
several times a
week
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Sleep
• Develop a routine
• Go to bed and wake
•
•
•
•
up at the same time
Create an atmosphere
that helps you sleep
Watch what you eat
and drink before bed
Get treatment for
persistent problems
Use sleeping pills
only as directed
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Preventive Health Care
• General
physical exams
• Eye care
• Dental care
• Hearing care
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Attitude and Balance
Attitude affects both
your physical and
emotional health
Maintain a
positive attitude
A well-balanced life
promotes wellness
Balance work,
family, social life,
and your individual
needs
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Smoking
• Smoking is a major cause
of serious disease
• Stop smoking
• Reduce your risk
of illness
• Feel better
• Have more energy
• Breathe easier
• Have more money
• Millions have quit—
you can, too
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Alcohol and Drugs
• Drink in moderation
• Follow doctor’s orders
when taking prescription
medications
• Be careful with
over-the-counter drugs
• Choose not to use
illegal drugs
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Steps to a Healthier Life:
Q&A
Q.
A.
What are the benefits of wellness?
Q.
A.
What are the six basic requirements of
a healthy life?
A focus on wellness helps you prevent illness
and disease, reduce medical bills, feel more
energetic, look better, and live a longer,
happier life
Proper nutrition, regular physical activity,
enough rest, preventive health care, a positive
attitude, and a sense of balance
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Steps to a Healthier Life
Do you understand:
What wellness is and
why it is important?
Six requirements of a
healthy life?
How smoking and
substance abuse are
harmful to your
health?
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Heart Disease
• Know your family’s
heart disease history
• Eat foods low in
cholesterol and fat
• Exercise and maintain
a healthy weight
• Don’t smoke, and use
alcohol in moderation
• Get regular checkups
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High Blood Pressure
• Reduce sodium intake
• Maintain a healthy diet
•
•
•
•
and weight
Exercise regularly
Limit caffeine and
alcohol consumption
Don’t smoke
Get your blood
pressure checked
regularly
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Cancer
• Don’t smoke or use
•
•
•
•
•
any form of tobacco
Use sunscreen
Maintain a healthy
weight
Eat vegetables, fruits,
and low-fat foods
Exercise regularly
Get regular checkups
to screen for cancer
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Stress
• Identify what causes
your stress
• Try to avoid small
annoyances
• Maintain a sense
of humor
• Plan ahead
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Stress (cont.)
• Share your problems
• Know your limits and
set boundaries
• Know what you can
control and what
you can’t
• Set aside time to relax
and try to get enough
sleep
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Depression
Symptoms of depression include:
• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or
helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in life
• Less energy, difficulty concentrating, and
changes in sleeping and eating patterns
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Diabetes
• Watch for symptoms
• Maintain a healthy
weight
• Eat nutritious food
• Get plenty of exercise
• Have regular blood
tests to check blood
sugar levels
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Back Injuries: Causes
• Being out of shape
• Incorrect lifting
• Being overweight
• Sudden twisting
• Bending too far
forward or backward
without proper support
• Strain from poor sitting
or standing posture
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Back Injuries: Prevention
• Exercise regularly to gain
•
•
•
•
•
strength and flexibility
Lift with your legs, not
your back
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid overreaching,
twisting, or sudden moves
Support your back when
you bend
Maintain proper posture
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Illness Prevention:
True or False
Exercising and maintaining a healthy
weight are two keys to wellness.
There’s nothing you can do about stress
except learn to live with it.
One of the best ways to prevent back
injuries is to exercise regularly.
Heredity has nothing to do with most
diseases.
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Illness Prevention
Do you understand:
How to prevent heart disease and high
blood pressure?
How to lower your risk of getting cancer?
How to manage stress?
Symptoms of depression and diabetes?
Causes and prevention of back injuries?
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003
Key Points to Remember
Wellness involves a healthy attitude
and a healthy lifestyle
Living a fit and healthy life will make you
feel better, look better, perform better,
and live longer
It’s never too late to change bad habits
and start making healthy choices
© Business & Legal Reports, Inc. 1003