The choices that people make in life reflect their lifestyle. Lifestyle refers to a set of values and attitudes that reflect how individual lives. Living a healthy lifestyle requires developing a positive attitude. Lifestyle diseases result from inappropriate relationship between people and their environment (White, 2002). The onset of lifestyle diseases in insidious, as they take years to develop, and once encountered becomes difficult to cure using normal medications. This is because health and wellness is the same thing and depends on each other. It is important to live a healthy lifestyle starting from food and active lifestyle.
A healthy lifestyle requires individual mental health as this helps in ensuring a healthy lifestyle. The connection between the mind and body is an important tool when both are united as this result to a healthy mind and body (Erna Yaffe Foundation, 2012). The relationship between health and wellness is that they work together in ensuring a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle. Even though they imply different things, it is virtually impossible to have one without the other (Bouchard & Shephard, 2012). By definition, wellness refers to “a positive approach to living” (Yuan, 1991). In relation to weight loss, it depends on the mental attitude that an individual takes towards achieving goals when it comes to living a healthier lifestyle (Kennedy & Markula, 2011). Other than wellness, health includes a wider spectrum. According to the World Health Organization, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1988). Health and wellness are related concepts that depend on each other.
One’s lifestyle also determines their health status. For example, eating beef, using drugs, smoking and drinking would have a negative impact on personal health. On the other hand, healthy eating, drinking plenty of water, exercising, and eating smaller portions of food would have a positive impact on health. A healthy diet gives the body the nutrients required to maintain wellness, perform physically, and fight diseases. Such diet includes fresh whole food like whole grains, vegetables and fruits, lean meat, legumes, and fish. However, some foods contain saturated fats, which can be harmful to health.
In conclusion, people can take control of their health by adopting a positive attitude and living a healthy lifestyle. This is because the choices people make reflect their health.
Bibliography
Bouchard, C., & Shephard, R. J. (2012). Physical activity, fitness, and health: international proceedings and consensus statement. Champaign, IL, Human Kinetics Publishers.
Erna Yaffe Foundation. (2012). Hope and responsibility the relationship between good health and your lifestyle. [Massachusetts], UA-Columbia Cablevision of Massachusetts.
Kennedy, E., & Markula, P. (2011). Women and exercise the body, health and consumerism. New York, Routledge. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10446819.
White, K. (2002). An introduction to the sociology of health and illness. London, Sage Publications.
World Health Organization. (1988). Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Geneva, Switzerland, World Health Organization, Division of Public Information and Education for Health.
Yuan, R. (1991). The relationship between health locus of control and self-directed behavior change and the impact of a lifestyle management course. Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University, 1991.
