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Exploring the Wellness Scale: A Comprehensive Guide for a Healthy Life

Introduction to Wellness

Wellness is commonly defined as “good health.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), good health encompasses an individual’s mental, social, and physical well-being (World Health Organization, 2006). One effective method for monitoring your health is through the use of a Wellness Scale.

Understanding the Wellness Scale

A Wellness Scale assigns a numerical or visual representation to your overall health, providing insight into your well-being. Dr. John Travis introduced a type of Wellness Scale in 1972, known as the Illness-Wellness Continuum (Fair, 2010). Unlike a “pain scale” utilized in medical settings for assessing specific symptoms, a Wellness Scale focuses on your holistic wellness, tracking daily fluctuations.

The Wellness Scale accounts for physical symptoms, lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and daily activities, offering a comprehensive perspective on your health. Both positive and risky behaviors impact your placement on the Wellness Scale, as certain actions may contribute to long-term health issues that manifest later in life (Aldana, 2001).

Variations in Wellness Scales

Wellness Scales can take on different forms, but they generally function similarly. Dr. John Travis’ Illness-Wellness Continuum uses a color-coded chart, ranging from “premature death” to “high-level wellness” (Fair, 2010). Alternatively, a simple numerical scale from 0 to 100 may be used, with lower values representing poor health and higher values indicating wellness (Dunn, 1961).

Factors Affecting Wellness Scale Ratings

Your placement on the Wellness Scale can change daily, as it is influenced by conscious decisions that impact your health. Engaging in acts of kindness, for example, can improve your social and mental health, leading to a higher rating on the Wellness Scale (Lyubomirsky et al., 2005). Other actions that contribute to improved wellness include consuming a balanced diet (Esposito et al., 2014), exercising regularly (Warburton et al., 2006), quitting smoking (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014), seeking emotional support (Payne et al., 2015), and nurturing relationships with family members (Umberson & Montez, 2010).

The Importance of a Wellness Scale

Monitoring your wellness using a Wellness Scale can help identify areas of improvement and facilitate positive change. By being aware of your overall health, you can make informed decisions and implement strategies to enhance your well-being (Ryan & Deci, 2001). The Wellness Scale serves as a practical tool for setting goals, tracking progress, and maintaining accountability for your health journey.

In conclusion, a Wellness Scale is a valuable tool for tracking and maintaining your overall health. By consciously making choices that benefit your mental, social, and physical well-being, you can enhance your quality of life and achieve a higher state of wellness.

Fact Sources:

Aldana, S. G. (2001). Financial impact of health promotion programs: A comprehensive review of the literature. American Journal of Health Promotion, 15(5), 296-320.

Constitution of the World Health Organization – Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006.

Dunn, H. L. (1961). High-level wellness. The Canadian Nurse, 57(1), 13-18.

Esposito, K., Marfella, R., Ciotola, M., Di Palo, C., Giugliano, F., Giugliano, G., … & Giugliano, D. (2004). Effect of a mediterranean-style diet on endothelial dysfunction and markers of vascular inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: a randomized trial. JAMA, 292(12), 1440-1446.

Fair, S. E. (2010). Wellness and Physical Therapy. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Lyubomirsky, S., Sheldon, K. M., & Schkade, D. (2005). Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, 9(2), 111-131.

Payne, P., Levine, P. A., & Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic experiencing: using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 93.

Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141-166.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2014). The health consequences of smoking—50 years of progress: A report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health.

Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: A flashpoint for health policy. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(1_suppl), S54-S66.

Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. CMAJ, 174(6), 801-809.

World Health Organization. (2006). Constitution of the World Health Organization – Basic Documents, Forty-fifth edition, Supplement, October 2006