Wellness is a state of health achieved by a 
deliberate, balanced, and informed approach to living.

The Total Person:
“We all say it—- but what does it really mean?”

The “total person” concept is not a new term, but a common saying for the nineties. The concept of the total person stresses balance and integration of Spiritual, Intellectual, Emotional, Social, Physical, Nutritional and Environmental aspects of an individual’s well being. These equally important components form the total person which is the essence of harmony and wellness.

Experts agree that when an individual experiences health problems, the body is out of balance or harmony, and to bring about a state of Wellness, the total person must be treated.

A commitment to Wellness requires a deliberate approach based on education, information and support. Many times the concept of the total person is represented as a wheel or pie with each component accounting for a portion of the total. A well-balanced wheel means that each dimension is receiving appropriate attention.

It is an accepted fact that in order to enjoy good health, we need to:

◄ Be physically active

◄ Eat healthy, high fiber foods (low in fat & sugar)

◄ Think positively

◄ Have a spiritual life

◄ Have intellectual stimulation

◄ Be sociable

We also know that when there is imbalance, if affects our health and subsequently, we care little about exercising, socializing or starting a new project.

Some may ask, but think about how stressed families are with the pressures that abound in our lives. Life can be so hectic that stress levels have skyrocketed, making “road rage” a familiar term!

There is an opportunity! Things once taken for granted: such as caring communities and supportive families are not as they once were. Every day in the news we hear of juvenile crimes . . . children killing children . . . graffiti, vandalism, gangs, drugs, alcohol abuse, and more.

Our lives, as well as our parents and students, are filled with daily challenges of work schedules, not taking time to plan and prepare healthy meals or exercise. Often the planning of a healthy life by eating well and exercising at least three times per week seem too hard and exhausting to accomplish. All of these factors affect the physical and emotional well being of young people.

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