Journal Assignment I
September 17, 2015

As I contemplate what health means to me, there are two different types of health that come to mind: physical and mental. When I think about physical health, I think about the body and all of its anatomical parts and how they function and interact with each other to keep the body going without any errors. When I think about mental health, I think about the psychological and emotional aspects of the brain’s limbic system and how it functions in a way to keep emotions regulated and balanced without any errors. According to the World Health Organization, health is “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” (WHO, 1948). I didn’t think about the social side of health, but I can see how that would be an integral part of one’s health. Namely because we are products of our environments and all that we come into contact with has an effect on us in some way, shape, or form. Good or bad. Internally and/or externally.
To me, having good physical health is to be without sickness and pain (unless you are sore from yesterday’s workout). Having good mental health is being able to cope with every day stresses without uncharacteristic reactions. An example of an “uncharacteristic reaction” would be someone having a mental breakdown due to relationship issues, which up until that time, was uncharacteristic of them. It has been my experience that the physical and mental types of health issues can and do have an effect on each other. I say that because when I am really sick, and have been throwing up, I am super emotional and sad. On the flip side, when I am sad and feeling blue, I don’t have the drive or desire to be proactive.
Some of the factors that have an impact on one’s health would be genetics, diet, and the environment. As I mentioned earlier, we are products of our environment and if we are around smokers (i.e. parents) we are more likely to either become smokers ourselves or get lung cancer. The expectations I hold for the care provided to myself and my family by the professional nurses is quite high. I say that because we are all human and we all deserve respect and care in all situations, especially when being taken care of medically. I would hate for my family to have a bad experience at the hospital because some nurse didn’t care for them properly or treat them decently. It actually breaks my heart to think about it. As the saying goes, treat others the way you would want to be treated. I just hope that a nurse who is treating my family or myself would keep that saying in mind. I also hope that they would take the time out to make sure everything is on point when it came to prescribing medication as well. I have heard some stories about high-five change overs and doing the least amount of work while on duty. I would want my nurse to be very involved in all of her patients at all times. I knew of a girl who would have a nurse come to her home and take care of her. While visiting my friend, there were a few times I was able to see the nurse in action. I was actually quite impressed. She really went out of her way to make sure she was taking care of my friend. She would even do her hair and make-up which I am sure is not part of a nurse’s job description. That is the type of nurse I would want to care for myself and my family. One who goes above and beyond the call of duty.

References

WHO definition of Health. (1948, April 7). Retrieved September 17, 2015.