Essay Sample on Understanding Human Experience Across the Health-Illness Continuum

Introduction

The health-illness continuum was first developed in 1972 by John Travis. He proposed a graphic illustration describing well-being as being a concept more significant than the mere absence of illness but instead as a concept that also encompasses emotional and mental health (Keyes, 2002). The concept challenges the conventional approach of medicine, where the absence of signs and symptoms is what comprises well-being. The implication of Travis' proposal that well-being is more than just the absence of signs and symptoms implies that medical therapy alone is insufficient in the complete restoration of health and wellness (Keyes, 2002). Treatment can only enable a patient to reach the neutral point on the health-illness continuum. For instance, in the treatment of conditions such as hypertension, the treatment model can only enable a patient to reach the point where there is no discernible illness. The reason is that the treatment model does not entail informing and educating the patient on the importance of other factors such as lifestyle modifications to achieving wellness.

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Furthermore, the health-illness continuum concept implies that the disease process starts before the appearance of signs and symptoms. In the healthcare sector, nurses are directly involved in the provision of care for patients. The implication of this is that they play a crucial role in the health outcomes of patients. In light of the wellness model, it is essential that in addition to the provision of treatment to patients, care should also entail informing and educating patients on how they can move towards a high level of wellness. In essence, the health-illness continuum reveals that the most effective approach for the restoration of health and well-being to patients is ensuring there is a holistic approach to the health of patients. Such an approach will focus on physical, social, mental, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions of health (Stoewen, 2017).

My Current Health Status

Currently, I can describe my health status as normal according to conventional standards of the measure of health. Some of the basic parameters used as a measure of health status such as blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), etc. are within the physiological ranges for my case.

Behaviors that either Supports or Detracts From Health and Well-being

I meditate once in a while, which is a habit that promotes health and well-being since it nourishes me spiritually and increases my sense of self-awareness. Poor eating habits such as eating meals that are not balanced (regarding its nutrient composition, eating very fatty meals too frequently (such as French fries), etc. are one of the behaviors that detract from health and well-being. The composition and manner of one's diet play a vital role in the determination of their health. Certain diets predispose to diseases whereas others help decrease the risk of disease. In my case, my poor eating habits imply a lack of commitment to ensuring I remain healthy. Other habits such as lack of exercise in my routine, poor social relations, and to a certain degree a lack of self-awareness keep me from complete health and well-being.

Where I Currently Fall in the Health-Illness Continuum

Currently, I am slightly to the right of the health-illness continuum. I have neither signs nor symptoms of any illness. The reason is that although to a great extent I am aware of matters pertaining to my physical, social, mental, and spiritual health, I have made no effort to learn on what I can improve to achieve a high level of wellness.

How to Move Towards Wellness

Wellness encompasses excellent self-stewardship for self and those who matter to us. For my case, achieving complete wellness will imply improving all the spheres in my life that comprises wellness in its fullness. These dimensions of health and wellness include physical, social, mental, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and environmental dimensions (Stoewen, 2017). In essence, achieving complete wellness will entail an adjustment of my lifestyle to ensure that there is a balance in these dimensions for the promotion of wellness. For the physical dimension, incorporation of exercises into my daily routine will ensure I get to the farthest right of the health-illness continuum and stay there.

Regarding the other dimensions, I believe that achieving an awareness of myself and the values I stand for will enable me to have a fulfilling social, emotional, mental, intellectual and spiritual life, thereby achieve total wellness. Self-actualization will promote my emotional, social, mental, and spiritual wellness since an understanding of self is a motivation for the maintenance of health and well-being. The motivation to achieve wellness from extrinsic factors such as living in a clean environment and having a social support system cannot be ignored (Draper et al., 2008). In essence, I think that to move towards wellness; it is necessary to examine all dimensions of health and wellness and ensure that there is a deliberate intrinsic effort to achieve health and wellness.

References

Draper, D., Tynan, A. & Christianson, J. (2008). Health and wellness: The shift from managing illness to promoting health. Center for Studying Health System Change Issue No. 121.

Keyes, C. L. (2002). The mental health continuum: From languishing to flourishing in life. Journal of health and social behavior, 207-222.

Stoewen, D. L. (2017). Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 58(8), 861-862. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/