Understanding the health-illness continuum enables me, as a health care professional, to better promote the worth and dignity of individuals or groups to aid others in ways that encourage human flourishing. Excessive stress can damage the immune system and lead to illness. Stohecker (2019) notes that negative feelings can result in physical abuse, such as smoking, alcohol intake, and unhealthy eating. Hence, these behaviors may be efforts to fill the void left when fundamental human needs, such as respect and recognition, engaging and compassionate surroundings, and a perception of purpose and significance, are not encountered. Health is a way of life that requires always investigating, inquiring, posing questions, and discovering solutions while existing in the physical, psychological, and social dimensions (Wickramarathne et al., 2020). Developing patients’ balanced well-being is a continual process that teaches them to take care of their physical selves, express emotions efficiently, and be conscious of their psychological and spiritual states.
I understand that exploring the causes of my health condition is critical for actual life balance and well-being. The conscious and the unconscious can influence people’s mental and physical health. Farina et al. (2018) claim that a healthy nurse is the one who deliberately seeks and maintains a balance and resonance of physical, cognitive, social, spiritual, interpersonal, and professional well-being. Thus, the nurses’ mission is to embrace life to the fullest throughout the wellness-illness continuum, becoming excellent role models, communicators, and educators for themselves, their families, their communities, the workplace environment, and, eventually, their patients.
The lifestyle or behavioral level is vital, including what food I consume, how often I exercise, and how I relax and release stress when moving toward wellness. Sports, particularly yoga, assist me in moving toward wellness and support my health, but overeating and lack of sleep keep me from becoming a better and healthier version of myself. I have observed that socializing, spending time with my family and friends, and being considerate of others motivate me to become a better person. I develop daily goals to manage work and life while enjoying my spare time properly. On the health-illness continuum, I assume I fall between education and growth.
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