Health and Wellness: Self-Evaluation, Goals and Long-Term Strategies

This assignment delves into the student's personal health and wellness, starting with a self-evaluation of current behaviors and their impact on well-being. The student identifies both positive actions, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, and potential risks based on family history of chronic diseases like COPD, Type Two diabetes, and acute kidney failure. The assignment then outlines long-term goals across six dimensions of wellness: physical, intellectual, environmental, social, emotional, and spiritual. These goals include maintaining physical fitness, researching chronic conditions, creating a healthy working environment, building social connections, managing emotions, and maintaining a strong spiritual life to mitigate potential health risks and promote overall wellness. The student aims to adopt healthy habits and practices to minimize the likelihood of inheriting and managing chronic diseases.

Running head: HEALTH AND WELLNESS 1
Health and Wellness
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 2
Introduction
Behaviors of individuals can have a positive or negative impact on their health and
wellbeing. Individuals who conduct regular physical exercises can escape complications like
obesity. However, people who are addicted to cigarette smoking are vulnerable to lung cancer,
heart diseases, and even cataracts (Vogelmeier et al., 2017). Having a family history of a
complication puts one at risk of getting the illness. This paper will explore my behaviors and
how they impact my health and wellness. It will also identify the chronic complications that can
affect me due to the medical history of the family. Finally, the essay will discuss the goals of
maintaining proper health and well-being.
Part 1
Self-Evaluation of My Current Health Status
Activities and Behaviors
I am currently exercising healthy behaviors and actions which are responsible for my good
health. Every day, I conduct a physical exercise to keep my body fit. Physical activity helps
maintain an acceptable weight. Additionally, doing regular exercises reduces the risk of
contacting weight-related complications like obesity (Asp, Simonsson, Larm, & Molarius, 2017).
I also eat a balanced diet and avoid fat and carbohydrate-rich foods. I take meals to increase my
energy levels, improve health, and to benefit the digestive system. Overeating food can interfere
with the gastrointestinal tract. I also take plenty of water to remain hydrated throughout the day.
Water is essential as it acts as a medium of chemical reactions in the body. Moreover, I ensure
that I get enough sleep at night which promotes mental alertness in the following day.
Chronic Diseases in My Family Pedigree

HEALTH AND WELLNESS 3
The health problems in my family history are COPD, Type Two diabetes, and acute
kidney failure. My late grandmother had diabetes type two and COPD. On the other hand, my
mother has a history of acute kidney failure. COPD causes lung inflammation thereby
obstructing airflow in the lungs (Celli et al., 2015). My grandmother developed the complication
due to her excessive tobacco smoking. She complained of chest tightness and wheezing.
Additionally, the complication caused swelling on her ankle and feet. My grandmother also told
me that she inherited diabetes from her mother. The complication made her lose weight and have
a blurred vision. My mother was diagnosed with acute kidney disease. The condition caused her
experience breath shortness and weakness. Therefore, I am a risk of inheriting the three
complications.
My Desirable Health Status
I intend to achieve physical fitness and remain in that state throughout my life.
Additionally, I am ready to practice healthy activities to avoid chronic complications like COPD,
diabetes, and kidney complications. Eating a balanced diet free of carbohydrate and fat-rich food
will also keep me safe from weight-related complications like obesity (Thomas, Olds, Pettigrew,
Randle, & Lewis, 2014). Staying away from tobacco smoking will limit the chances of inheriting
COPD from my grandmother. Exposure to chemicals and dust can also cause COPD; hence I
intend to stay away from dusty places. Therefore, I plan to maintain a healthy lifestyle
throughout my life.
Part 2
Long-Term Goals for Health and Wellness
On the physical dimension of wellness, I plan to conduct a regular physical exercise to
avoiding contacting complications like overweight and obesity. Secondly, I intend to have proper

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nutrition and avoid junk foods. Thirdly, I plan to avoid harmful habits like excessive cigarette
smoking that can lead to the development of COPD. Observing the physical dimensions of
wellness prevents an individual from various complications (Strout et al., 2016).
I also plan to explore the intellectual dimensions of wellness by interacting with my
surroundings. Intellectuality involves being open-minded and flexing the muscles of the mind
(Strout, & Howard, 2015). I intend to conduct extensive research on COPD, kidney disease, and
diabetes. My research on chronic complications will unravel the causes, symptoms, and risk
factors of the three conditions. I also plan to find out about diabetes management.
Proper environmental conditions keep an individual safe from various complications. I
intend to maintain a healthy working environment (Foster, Galjour, & Spengel, 2015). Exposure
to dust, vapor, and chemical fumes is a cause of COPD. I plan to conserve natural resources by
practicing proper disposal of non-biodegradable wastes. A recent study has shown that burning
fuels produce fumes that cause lung complications.
Social wellness can prevent one from contacting various complications. Social welfare
involves communicating, interacting, and relating well with people (Howard et al., 2016). I
intend to visit various health facilities and build a good relationship with the caregivers. I also
plan to interact with other health professionals and enquire about prevention measures for
chronic complications like kidney complications. Engaging health specialists boost an
individual's knowledge on various diseases.
Emotional wellness assists an individual in managing the symptoms of a chronic
complication. Individuals should be comfortable with their feelings and thoughts (Foster,
Galjour, & Spengel, 2015). Therefore, I plan to express my views about hereditary complications

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and seek solutions. I also intend to find the opinions of others on diabetes, kidney disease, and
COPD. After that, I plan to integrate my knowledge with the input from others.
Maintaining a spiritual life prevents an individual from incidences like committing
suicide. Spirituality involves having a firm persuasion about the meaning of life regardless of the
challenges (Strout, & Howard, 2015). I plan to remain hopeless in life despite the risk of
acquiring diabetes and kidney complications. I intend to seek solutions for the complications in
my family pedigree and believe in a disease-free life.
Conclusion
I conduct activities that are responsible for my healthy life. The events include performing
regular physical exercise, eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and drinking a lot of
water. However, COPD, diabetes, and kidney disease are three complications in my family
pedigree which I am at risk of inheriting. I intend to live a healthy life and reduce the chances of
getting a chronic complication. I have drafted more than six wellness goals for a healthy and
prolonged life. The goals revolve around the six dimensions of wellness.

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References
Asp, M., Simonsson, B., Larm, P., & Molarius, A. (2017). Physical mobility, physical activity,
and obesity among the elderly: findings from a large population-based Swedish survey.
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Society statement: research questions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Foster, T., Galjour, C., & Spengel, S. (2015). Investigating holistic wellness dimensions during
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Howard, E. P., Morris, J. N., Steel, K., Strout, K. A., Fries, B. E., Moore, A., & Garms-
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Strout, K. A., David, D. J., Dyer, E. J., Gray, R. C., Robnett, R. H., & Howard, E. P. (2016).
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Thomas, S. L., Olds, T., Pettigrew, S., Randle, M., & Lewis, S. (2014). "Don't eat that, and you'll
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causes and consequences of obesity. Social Science & Medicine, 119, 114-122.

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Vogelmeier, C. F., Criner, G. J., Martinez, F. J., Anzueto, A., Barnes, P. J., Bourbeau, J., ... &
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