Holistic philosophy of personal wellness

Wellness is a choice of lifestyle marked by a balance of mind, body and spirit. It is a complex interaction that leads to quality of life. The term ‘quality of life’ (QoL) refers to the satisfaction of people with their lives, their physical, mental, social and emotional health and the nature of the environment in which they are living. Wellness is multidimensional and a holistic approach to personal health. Wellness is lifelong process of balancing physical, mental and social wellbeing and their interaction with the environment. Health literacy is important for a person to manage his health and prevent disease. Health literacy is defined as the degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, USDHHS 2010). The World Health Organization (WHO 1947, 2009) introduced a holistic definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Our health and well –being are the outcomes of the constant interaction between the several natural dimensions of life and wellness. Wellness is a holistic approach by which one can achieve and maintain optimal health. Wellness is a full integration of physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The term fitness is sometimes used interchangeably with health or wellness. The scope of fitness includes health-related, skill-related and physiological components (USDHHS, 2000).

Definition

According to the National Wellness Institute (2007), “wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, more successful existence.”

According to Dunn (1959), “wellness is a state of health which comprises an overall sense of wellbeing and sees a person as consisting body, mind and spirit.”

Renger and co-authors (2000) defined wellness as consisting of physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions, and added environmental wellness to recognize the important impact of one’s surroundings.

Myers and Sweeney (2005) defined wellness as a way of life aimed at optimal health and well-being in which an individual integrates body, mind and spirit so as to live more fully within the human and natural context. Ideally, it is an optimal state of health and well-being that each individual is capable of achieving in all domains of his or her life (Myers, Sweeney and Witmer, 2001).

Adams (2003) has defined four main principles of wellness: 1) wellness is multi-dimensional; 2) wellness research and practice should be oriented toward identifying causes of wellness rather than causes of illness; 3) wellness is about balance; and 4) wellness is relative, subjective, and perceptual.

Wellness dimensions

Wellness is commonly viewed as having 7 dimensions or essential life areas such as physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, environmental and occupational.

Physical wellness –refers to wellness of the physical body. It is considered as an integral part of everyday wellness. Physical wellness encourages regular physical activities, proper nutrition and health care such as exercise or sports and personal hygiene. This type of physical activity discourages dependence on tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Good nutrition is important for a health body and mind. Science has clearly determined that a lack of physical activity is detrimental to health. Physical wellness encompasses maintenance of cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and strength. A regular weekly programme of walking, jogging, cycling, aerobics, swimming, strength training and stretching exercises helps improve or maintain physical fitness.

Emotional wellness – reflects our ability to appropriately control and express our emotions. Emotional wellness helps us to cope and comfortable with our emotions. Emotional wellness implies the ability to express emotions appropriately, adjust to change, cope with stress in a healthy way, and enjoy life despite its occasional disappointments and frustrations. Emotional wellness involves attending to our own thoughts and feelings, monitoring our reactions and identifying obstacles to emotional stability. Emotional awareness and acceptance help diminish the emotional intensity of the situation and increase one’s ability to handle a situation productively.

Intellectual wellness – is the utilization of human resources and learning resources to expand knowledge and improve skills. It refers to one’s ability to analyse, synthesize and act on new information. Intellectual wellness refers to active participation in scholastic, cultural and community activities. Intellectual wellness represents a commitment to lifelong learning, an effort to share knowledge with others and development of skills and abilities to achieve a more satisfying life.

Social/ interpersonal wellness – involves interacting with people and the environment and having satisfying relationships. The social environment is created by the interaction of people and their relationships with one another.  It involves developing friendships, healthy sexual behaviours, the ability to interact comfortably with others generally works for harmony in personal and community environments. Social wellness means you have friends with whom you discuss your problems and with whom you spend time. Social wellness involves not only a concern for the individual, but an interest in humanity as a whole.

Environmental/aesthetic wellness – Environment is an essential dimension of wellness. Research shows that our health and well-being are influenced by everything around us, whether in the built or natural world. Safe air, land and water are fundamental to a healthy community environment. The environment can have a significant impact on levels of physical activity, and on physical and emotional health and well-being.

Spiritual wellness – is to possess a set of guiding beliefs, principles or values that give meaning and purpose to one’s life.  Spiritual wellness means working to achieve spiritual potential and find harmony in living. The spiritually well person focuses on the positive aspects of life and finding solutions to negative feelings from the organized religions. Many people find meaning and purpose in their lives on their own through nature, art, meditation or community service.

Occupational/ vocational wellness –involves creating a healthy and supportive work environment which recognizes personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life through work. It's better to develop functional, transferable skills through structured involvement opportunities than to remain inactive and uninvolved.  It's better to choose a career which is consistent with our personal values interests and beliefs than to select one that is unrewarding to us.

Life style diseases and global wellness

Chronic diseases are the leading causes of death throughout the world.  Globally, of the 58 million deaths in 2005, approximately 35 million was as a result of chronic diseases. Deaths from chronic diseases are expected to increase by 17% over the next 10 years from 35 million to 41 million. Only 20% of chronic disease deaths occur in high income countries- while 80% occur in low and middle income countries, where most of the world population lives (WHO 2005).  Chronic diseases are responsible for seven out of every 10 deaths in the United States, killing more than 1.7 million Americans every year. Reports from the United States estimate that the population – attributable risk of physical inactivity is responsible for 12 % of type 2 diabetes and 22% of coronary heart disease as well as significant shares of other poor health conditions.   The estimate on Indian population in 2005 reported that chronic diseases accounted for almost 53% of all deaths and 44% of disability – adjusted life years (DALYs).In economically developed countries such as Japan, the United States, Australia and most of Europe, nearly 50% of the chronic disease burden is associated with 5 risk factors: tobacco use, high blood pressure, alcohol use, high cholesterol and overweight. But in the developing countries, deaths from chronic disease result from different risk factors: underweight, unsafe sex (causing HIV/AIDS), unsafe water and sanitation and indoor smoke from pollution.  Many chronic diseases could be prevented, frequently manageable through simple lifestyle changes.  The chronic disease threat can be easily overcome by using the existing scientific knowledge.

Effective wellness strategy

Stress management - Prolonged stress has an undeniable adverse effect on health. It can — and does — lead to illness. The ability to reduce and/or counter stress is critical in dealing with behavioural health problems, as well in promoting health and wellness. Yoga, meditation and deep breathing help reduce stress levels. It is advised to avoid over use of alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks, high sugar foods and stimulant drugs.  It is said by an unknown author that “The best cure for the body is to quiet the mind.”

Physical activity- Exercise and other forms of physical activity not only help maintain a healthy weight, but also help improve overall health and behavioural health — and reduce stress. John F.Kennedy said, “Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”

Healthy nutrition- The quality and the balance of food in our diet has enormous impact on our health. Developing personal eating habits that promote better health is important for everyone, especially people who have health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. During some chronic illnesses, eating healthy becomes vital to prevention and recovery.John Lubbock said, “Health is much more dependent on our habits and nutrition than on medicine.”

Restful sleep- The human body needs at least 8 hours of sleep each day to function at optimal levels, to repair and recharge. Long-term sleep deprivation is associated with many illnesses, including high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, and behavioural health problems. Thomas Dekker said, “Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.”

Community network and service - “Service to others” and “support network” are two sides of the same coin. We all need connectedness to survive. Service to others and support networks play a major role in initiating and sustaining personal wellness. Pearl S. Buck said, “To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.”

Positive mental attitude- Personal hope that one’s life can be better encourages happiness and a sense of wellbeing. In fact, research has found that heart patients with optimistic recovery expectations are 30% less likely to die over the next 15 years than less optimistic patients, regardless of disease severity. Peter Sampson said, “What really makes you healthy in life is your mental attitude. If it affects you in a positive way, it’s worth it.”

A sense of meaning and purpose- Many people develop a sense of meaning and purpose through spirituality, ultimately converging a person’s beliefs and values. Patricia Ryan Madson said, “A life of meaning and value is achieved through purposeful action.”

Summary

Wellness is an active, lifelong process of becoming aware of choices and making decisions toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Wellness places responsibility on the individual; it becomes a matter of self-evaluation and self – assessment. Wellness involves continually learning and making changes to enhance one’s state of wellness. Wellness is understood as a total person’s approach towards improving the quality of one’s health.  It is acknowledged that wellness is characterised by optimal physical health as well as psychological and social well-being and not by the mere absence of illness.

The dangers of pesticide poisoning

Pesticides are biocides that are designed to prevent, repel or destroy pests. The first use of synthetic pesticides began in 1940. About 2.5 million tonnes of pesticides are applied annually in the world. More than 2 billion pounds of pesticides are sold for use in the US every year. More than 20,000 pesticide products with nearly 900 active ingredients are registered for use as insecticides, miticides, herbicides, rodenticides, nematicides, fungicides, fumigants, wood preservatives and plant growth regulators. Generally pesticides provide significant benefits such as crop protection, preservation of food and materials and prevention of vector-borne diseases (e.g., dengue, encephalitis etc.)  Pesticides are used almost everywhere – not only in agricultural fields, but also in homes, parks, schools, buildings, forests and public places. Once use or spilled, pesticides can contaminate nearby ground water or surface water.

When a pesticide is used in the environment, it becomes distributed among 4 major compartments: water, air, soil and biota (living organisms). They are distributed in the environment by physical processes such as sedimentation, adsorption and volatilization. They can be degraded by chemical and/ or biological processes. The chemical processes generally occur in water or the atmosphere and follow one of 4 reactions like oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis and photolysis. Biological mechanisms in soil and living organisms utilize oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis and conjugation to degrade chemicals (biotransformation). Pesticides have significant economic, environmental and public health impacts.

The irrational use of pesticides also causes significant problems. Pesticide exposures may cause approximately 20,000 fatalities worldwide per annum. They contaminate large amounts of food products, destroy beneficial natural biota and destabilize ecosystems.

Characteristics

1.       High stability – chemically stable and tend to remain in ecosystems for long periods of time.

2.       Non-specificity – generally toxic to a wide range of organisms in addition to ‘target organisms’.

3.       High mobility – can be recycled through ecosystems much like nutrients.

4.       Biological magnification – concentrations magnified when passed through food chains.

Types of pesticides

Most pesticides are classified according to the pests they kill. The word ending or suffix ‘cide’ means kill. (e.g., herbicide –weeds; fungicide-fungi; rodenticides – rodents).

Pesticides can also classified according to how they work:

·         Contact pesticides –kills by contacting pests.

·         Systemic pesticides –absorbed and moves to untreated tissues.

·         Stomach poisons – kills pests after ingestion.

Common categories of pesticides 

There are 5 principal classes of pesticides.

·         Organochlorines – DDT, lindane heptachlor, toxaphene, HCB,PCB

·         Organophosphates – parathion, malathion

·         Carbamates – carbaryl, aldicarb

·         Phenoxy herbicides – 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T

·         Pyrethroids – fenvalerate, pyrethrins.

Mode of activity (MoA)

Pesticides act primarily targeting 4 nerve targets: acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), chloride channels, acetylcholine receptors and gamma amino butyric acid receptors. Carbamates and organophosphate insecticides (synaptic poisons) inhibit the enzyme AChE, which serves to interrupt the transmission of nerve impulses. Organochlorines and pyrethroids are axonic poisons which interfere with sodium channels thereby stimulating nervous discharges leading to paralysis. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) act on the hormone system of insects.

 Long term health effects

Chronic pesticide exposure causes neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), reproductive effects (e.g., miscarriages, premature births), birth defects (e.g., cleft palate, spina bifida), variety of cancers (e.g., testicular, prostate, cervical cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma) and susceptibility to infectious diseases (immunotoxicity).

Ecological effects

Pesticide exposure can kill beneficial soil bacteria, earth worms, snails, frogs, birds, fish, honeybees and other valuable species. In the 1960s, a decline in the population of bald eagles and raptors was observed. Environmental toxicologists found higher concentration of DDT in birds with a decrease in the thickness of eggshell resulting in the breakdown of eggs during incubation.

Sustainable Agriculture

A sustainable agriculture must be economically viable, socially responsible and ecologically sound. An agriculture that uses up or degrade its natural resource base or pollutes the natural environment eventually will lose its ability to produce. Such agriculture is not sustainable. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals- environmental health, economic profitability and social equity.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

This technique  is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices of  using mechanical trapping devices, natural predators (e.g., insects that eat other insects), insect growth regulators, mating disruption substances (pheromones), and if necessary, chemical pesticides.

“For the first time in the history of the world, every human being is now subjected to contact with dangerous chemicals, from the moment of conception until death.” – Rachel Carson, 1963 (‘Mother of modern Environmental Movement’).

Excellent Tips from Warren Buffett

Warren Edward Buffett is an American business leader and is one of the world's wealthiest persons. Buffett described him as "I am 15 percent Fisher and 85 percent Graham." Warren Buffett is known for his valuable and inspiring thoughts on life, generosity, money management and investments. His life is one of extraordinary wealth built on exemplary character traits.

  Personal finance tips from Warren Buffett

1. Spend wisely - "If you buy things you don't need, you will soon sell things you need."
2. Don't borrow money - "If you're smart, you're going to make a lot of money without borrowing."
3. Think long-term and be patient - "No matter how great the talents or efforts, some things just take time."
4. Overcome your fear of risk - "Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing." "Never invest in a business you cannot understand."
5. Save for the unexpected - "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago."

Meaningful quotes of Warren Buffett:

'Price is what you pay.
 Value is what you get'.

'The rich invest in time;
The poor invest in money.'

'Without passion, you don't have energy.
Without energy, you have nothing.'

'Life is like a snowball. The important thing is finding wet snow and
a really long hill.'

'The happiest people do not necessarily have the best things.
They simply appreciate the things they have.'

Tips for financial planning

1. Budget - If you do budgeting  as part of your financial planning and you will realize saving is not so hard.
2. Spend less than you earn - discipline yourself to spend within what you earn. Make savings an important part of your financial planning.
3. Invest - Financial planning means you are saving for the future. So invest for a better future.
4.Mind your debt - Credit  card debt is one of the biggest obstacles in financial planning.
                             ('Debt is the slavery of the free'  - quoted by Publilius Syrus).

Financial Independence 

"To become financially independent, you must turn part of your income into capital;

  turn capital into enterprise; turn enterprise into profit;turn profit into investment; and

  turn investment into financial independence."         - Jim Rohn

Food for thought

"It is not your salary that makes you rich
 it's your spending habits."  - Charles A. Jaffe.

"We make ourselves rich by making
our wants  few." - Henry David Thoreau.

"A man's treatment of money is the most
 decisive test of his character - how he makes it
 and how he spends it." - Moffat.

"A wise man should have money in his head,
  but not in his heart." - Jonathan Swift.

"The art is not in making money, but in keeping it." -Dutch proverb.

"Money grows on the tree of patience." -Proverb.

"Money without brain is always dangerous." -Napoleon Hill.

"Money is the barometer of a society's virtue." -Ayn Rand.

How to live a simple and peaceful life

6-keys to mastering  the art of living

1.Evaluate yourself.

2.Gather your soul mates.

3.Make sure your home is your castle.

4. Bring more prosperity into your life.

5.Seek more spiritual strength.

6. Maintain your emotional and physical health. 

The art of living is simply unpacking and repacking our bags

Unpacking means taking a long, hard look at what we are carrying and why. Seeing if our possessions, responsibilities and relationships are still helping us move forward or if they're dragging us down.

Repacking is the ongoing activity of reevaluation and reinvention. It is of rearranging our priorities. Then reframing our vision of the good life and recovering a new sense of being active. George Asaf (1915) said,"Pack up your troubles in your old kit-bag. And smile, smile, smile..."

PEACE is possible only when Love is in the heart.
When love is in the heart, there is no fear, no anger,no guilt,
no worry, no judging, no criticism, no negativity, no envy,
no sorrow, no hatred, no unhappiness, no stress, no resentment;
only peace. So peace is possible only when LOVE is in the heart.
LIFE is a long succession of choices and decisions.
Put more simply:
Human nature---->Thoughts----->actions.

"Your life is your message to the world.
  Make it inspiring."  -Lorrin L.Lee.

"In matters of style, swim with the current;
  in matters of principle, stand like a rock." - Thomas Jefferson.

"Simplicity, clarity, singleness: These are the attributes that give our lives
  power and vividness and joy as they are also marks of great art.
  They seem to be the purpose of GOD for his whole creation." - Richard Holloway.

Life is a journey

Life is a journey. Some journeys are long and some are short. Some are painful and some are pleasant. Most of  our life journeys offer a mix of blessings and burdens.Each journey involves many decisions. We learn from our own lessons and decisions and from the voices and choices of others.John Maxwell quoted, "Life is a journey, a process. Every day you must deliberately make the effort to take a few steps. Learn, grow, become better than you are today. The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine." 

Motives are the underlying reason behind human behavior. Reiss defines motives as "reasons people hold for initiating and performing voluntary behavior.They indicate the meaning of human behavior and they may reveal a person's value."

Inspiring laws of life

The law of attraction - Every human is a living magnet; we invariably attract in to our life, the people, situations and circumstances that are in harmony with our dominant thoughts."Where our  attention goes, our energy flows." Thought  become things. It attracts the things that are thought about.

The law of belief - A belief is a thought in our mind. We must believe the power of our subconscious mind to heal, inspire, strengthen and prosper in our life.Whatever we truly believe with feeling becomes our reality.

The law of expectations - Whatever we expect with confidence, becomes our own self-fulfilling prophecy. Personal growth is a choice; growth is optional. Growth  is not automatic.

The law of correspondence - our outer world is a reflection of our inner world; it corresponds with our dominant patterns of thinking.

The law of cause and effect - Everything happens for a reason; for every effect, there is a special cause. Thoughts are causes and conditions are effects.  Sir Isaac Newton said, "For every action, there is equal and opposite reaction." "Thought is creative." Our thoughts are the primary creative forces in our life. Thought is the critical element of everything we have and everything we become.

The law of integrative complexity - "In every group of individuals, the person who can absorb, integrate, and apply the greatest quantity of essential information will eventually dominate all other individuals within that group."

The law of vital adjustment - "Every organism will do its best to adjust to any change in the environment in order to survive."

The law of love and attraction - "Give love and love to your heart will flow, a strength in your utmost need."

The law of compensation - "Then give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you."

The law of absolute justice - "For with what measure ye mate, it shall be measured to you again."

Memorable and Inspiring people..

Common traits of inspiring people

The word inspiring literally means “putting life into something that had been lifeless.” The poet Robert Browning refers to inspiration as “the splendor of a sudden thought.” The inspiring people are energetic, action-oriented, always on the move, courageous and they never lack the boldness to do the task.The inspiring people are well disciplined and have sincere intentions in their life. They  are greatly motivated by their  tasks rather than by external rewards. They believe in themselves and focus on their strengths. They are willing to go outside their comfort zone and acquire new learning experiences. They are life - long learners in their own disciplines. They are hard and smart working. They take calculated risks.They have the courage to try new things and risk failures. They use intuitions as well as logic to make decisions and produce ideas. They are curious people. They investigate and explore new things/ techniques.They are expressive and willing to share what they feel and think.

Inspiring Quotes

"Some people come in your life as blessings.
  Some people come in your life as lessons." - Mother Teresa.

"The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires,
  but in his integrity and his ability to affect those
  around him positively." - Bob Marley.

" Successful people radiate self-esteem, not self-disgust." -Bo Bennett, American business man.

 "Really great people make you feel that
   You, too can become  great." -Mark Twain.

Spiritual laws

Spirituality does not depend upon the environment; it depends upon the attitude of the man towards life. The christian life is a life doing God's will under the guidance of Holy Spirit. God had a plan."If You abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done." John 15:7 Every human is a complex bundle of  thoughts, feelings, attitudes, desires, images, fears, hopes, doubts, opinions and ambitions. Our entire life is the result of the intertwining and interconnecting of these factors. Our thoughts trigger images and pictures and the emotions that go with them. These images and emotions trigger attitudes and actions. Our actions then have consequences and results that determine what happens to us. Denis Waitly said,"Life is about choices: There are two primary choices in life: to accept the conditions as they exist or accept the responsibility  for changing it." Reinhold Neibuhr quotes a serenity prayer, "god grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Live simply, love generously, care deeply and speak kindly. 

7-Tips for Better Life Style

Life is a journey. It has been told that everyone is on a road to somewhere.Life is linear. "Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood." said Marie Curie. Be bold when you loose and be calm when you win. Things in life rarely, if ever turn out as we plan them. Everything happens for good. Feed your mind with a positive mental images and thoughts. Find ways of motivating yourself and believe in perseverance. Take care of the small things and the bigger picture will take care of itself. Your fruits in your life are solely based upon the roots that have been developed by the seeds that you have planted.

Quotes for Personal reflection

"In life, you get what you plan to get." - Laurie Hyde.

"For man plans, but God arranges." -Thomas a Kempis(c.1380-1471).

"What is this life, if full of care,
  We have no time to stand and stare." -William Henry Davies.

"Great effort from great motives is the best
  definition of a happy life."  -William Cillery Chenning.

"There is a powerful driving force inside
  every human being that once unleashed
  can make any vision, dream or desire a reality." -Antony Robbins.