Wellbeing - is it a feeling or a function?
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines wellbeing as "a state of being healthy, happy, or prosperous."
The constitution of The World Health Organization defines health as wellbeing. 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.'
So, is wellbeing a feeling or a function?
One person may not feel their physical best but benefit from a visit from family and friends. Another person may feel at their physical best yet still feel very alone. An emotional challenge like grief or anxiety can cause us to question our core beliefs. Existential experiences can be grounds for physical or emotional evaluation.
Wellbeing is a feeling or experience of health AND a function or physiologic presentation of health. The medical definition of health measures vital signs and uses emotional evaluations to find the standards. Wellbeing is a measurement of the entire human experience - a whole-being, feeling/function perspective.
Can the feeling of wellbeing exist even if function does not?
Let's look at some evidence-based wellbeing approaches to the diagnosis of hypertension. Always align any health therapy program with your physician's advice.
Allopathic/western medicine shows evidence that long-term high blood pressure causes kidney and cardiovascular disease.
Exercise as minimal as low-intensity isometric hand grips can have lasting effects on lowering blood pressure.
Psychology introduces evidence that unchecked emotional stress contributes to high blood pressure.
Cognitive behavioral health awareness shows you tools to navigate these stressors to life and health.
Other data analyses connect the depth of spiritual connection to the ability to control both blood pressure and emotions.
Learning and practicing meditation can reduce baseline blood pressure levels.
Social science data exposes that just being with another person can lower our blood pressure.
Those who engage in group health activities are more likely to work harder and stay with a program longer.
The diagnosis of hypertension, or high blood pressure, has physiologic, psychologic, spiritual, and sociologic components. Treatment for it should, as well.
Would you like to learn more?
Hopeful Healing Health Therapy is an evidence-based, individually-defined, personal approach to health management that evaluates and empowers ALL aspects of wellbeing. Through the practices of complementary (meaning alongside your physician) and alternative (meaning rather than conventional medicine), Hopeful Healing will evaluate, empower and enlighten you to reach your highest health potential.
Be well,
Nadine