Health & Well Being: Seminar

Maintaining health and well being is imperative in one’s ability to be effective. Maintaining strong health as well as seeking assistance with health items starts with attention to medical health and extends to other domains including physical health, mental health, spiritual health and emotional health. Well being is the collection of small, daily steps that we take to manage stress, be more productive, feel happier and have a healthier lifestyle.

Paying attention to our physical health includes being aware of healthy eating habits as captured by the Healthy Eating Pyramid guide. This guide promotes a diet concentrated in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, followed by ample amounts of healthy protein while making allowances for minimal use of high fat foods. Proper sleep is important to maintain physical health as the lack of sleep can lead to psychological and physical health problems, cognitive impairments, and a greater chance of injuries, accidents and occupational hazards. Exercise is the third component of physical health as exercise increases alertness and productivity and improves self-esteem and stamina, in addition to providing other benefits.

Mental health challenges face us on many fronts. We are supported with a strong network of an informed community and accessible resources to assist those in need with the primary resource being Yale Health (203-432-0290). Managing stress is an important component of mental health as chronic stress can lead to significant consequences in one’s mind, body and spirit. Understanding stress triggers and developing stress resilience skills, including building healthy coping skills, are important aspects of managing stress. The National Institute of Health guidelines on social and emotional health provide insights on techniques relevant to maintaining a healthy lifestyle in these domains. Spirituality is the belief in something beyond yourself, with the additional personal benefits of feeling calmer, establishing community, understanding emotions, and developing values. Mindfulness is a mental state of being aware and remaining present to what is happening, in the absence of becoming involved in feelings with numerous techniques (including meditation, relaxing, and silent walking) used to achieve this condition.