Religion- Health and Wellbeing

Wellness according to the National Wellness Institute is a process of being aware of making choices towards a more successful existence (Arloski, pg. 13). Wellness is also a way of life, a choice and efficient channeling of energy, the mind spirit and body and acceptance of self (Arloski, pg. 13). Wellness also consist of and have many other dimensions such as, holistic nature of wellness and health. Wellness focuses more on helping each person reach their highest level of health (Arloski, pg. 13). A biblical worldview of wellness is that it is important to be healthy but unfortunately even Christians continue to abuse their bodies by not adhering to a healthy diet. Our bodies are a temple from God and should be taken care of.

But over the past few decades, the definititon and concept of health has evolved to encompass more elements than just the physical well-being of a person. This is partly attributed to various researches and studies that have taken place around the world in the last 60 years. Already in 1948, the World Health Organization declared that health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not

The definition of health is fluid, ever changing and carries different meanings across individuals, societies and cultures. Although it is difficult

The main purpose of this research would be focused towards answering the question of “how do patients perceive disease causation and treatment in light of their religious beliefs ?”. This research would also give insight into the various etiologies of disease that are adopted by both the biomedical and spiritual healing systems in Ottawa.

First of all, it is important to know the definition of health often used

In the journal, the American nurse today, Cardillo stated that Culture is “an overriding set of beliefs, assumptions, myths, values, tolerated behaviors and learned responses that unite a group.” (2011). Overtime, Canada has become culturally diverse with the high rise in migration. This is a core aspect in the field of Nursing where the importance of culturally sensitive care and client centred care are tremendously emphasized. Hinduism being my own culture, I am now exploring the health practices lifestyle and coping skills of the Christian community, known as the religion of faith.

There are those who want to become a doctor to keep others healthy and those who want to become a counsellor to also, keep others healthy. This shows that trying to simplify the term ‘health’ into one universal definition could be a difficult task. Physical health that can be tested through x-rays and blood tests, issues such as mental and social health however cannot be tested. A person who is suffering from depression and a person who has a fever should hold the same level of importance to a doctor, parent and society. Health just like people can come in all different shapes and sizes. Health for everyone is not the same. This is shown in different teachings of different disciplines as well. The author defines health as being mentally and physically content with one’s self.

Health is a complete physical, mental and social well-being and functioning of a human being. It is the unity and harmony within the mind, body, and soul ( The Seven Assumptions). What the person perceived and what he is actually experiencing needs to be in harmony. The limitation to this is there is only so much you can do as a health care professional to help a patient . Some may think eating chips and drinking three cases of beer is healthy. As a

As Mrs. Johnson waits in the doctor’s office, she hopes to finally hear after two years of trying to conceive that she is expecting. A very successful twenty eight year old woman feels enthusiastic about her possibility of being pregnant, after four years of marriage. Dr. Neil enters the room and began to inform her that she has stage three ovarian cancer and he would like to start treatment as soon possible. Mrs. Johnson looks at the doctor and says,”No treatment, I know my faith in God will heal me.” Mrs. Johnson believes that God and her faith will heal her body, because it is a temple that God has made. The beliefs of different religions can lead to unnecessary

The religious healthcare is an organization working in an areas where the population is 225, 000. Though it is a non-profit making organization, the major objective is to ensure that it provides high quality services t the people and community around it. In this regard therefore, my analyses will focus on providing areas that need to be improved to ensure that high quality services are offered to its target people. Whether, the health care organization makes profit or note, providing standardized services is of paramount importance.

Health - is the state of complete physical, mental (emotional), and social (including spiritual) well-being, not merely the absence of disease. Health is holistic in nature; it’s the full expression of a person’s physical, emotional, social and spiritual potential. It’s a dynamic state in which the person continuously adapts to changes in the internal and external environments in order to maintain a sense of wellbeing. Health is a highly individual perception.

The World Health Organisation defined health: “State of complete physical and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity” (WHO, 1946 p.100). Many factors influence health such as family traits, behaviours, access to quality healthcare and environment (quality of air, bad/good water and housing conditions) (WHO, 1946). The holistic view of health combines the mind (mental), body (physical), emotional and spiritual elements to a person (Ewes & Simnett, 2003).

Founded in Massachusetts in 1879, the church of Christian Science aimed to provide spiritual and physical healing to the community. A woman named Mary Baker Eddy founded the religion and eventually founded the Christian Science Mother Church. Eddy’s life inspired the basis and many of the teachings of the Christian Science faith. Originally raised in a devout Calvinist household, Eddy disagreed with the church’s teachings on predestination and moved away from the religion. Eddy suffered from many illnesses growing up, both physical and psychological, and turned to the bible as a source of comfort. She continued to suffer from chronic illnesses in her adult life and turned her attention toward the role that faith could play in her health. Eddy

saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb . . .’

As humans remain different in nature, so are their perceptions and response towards certain issues of their lives and well being. The concept of health assumes to be a typical example of this and hence, poses debate about what it is. “Health” is a word which means different things to different people (Ewles & Simnett, 2003). This essay intends to critically discuss the meaning of health by exploring different definitions and their contraindications.