Foundations of Wellness

Bill Reger-Nash, EdD, is emeritus professor in the School of Public Health at West Virginia University. He has been a wellness professional for more than 30 years and has served as research coordinator for the Cardiac and Wellness Center of Wheeling Hospital; director of the Bayer Wellness Program in Wellsburg, West Virginia; director of wellness for the Ohio Valley Medical Center; and founding director of wellness for West Virginia University. Reger-Nash has more than 10 first-author peer-reviewed publications and has presented his work in health promotion throughout the world. He has received numerous awards and distinctions, including being named among the 100 best minds by US News & World Report in 2004, the 2006 Ethel and Gerry Heebink Award for Distinguished State Service, and the 1996 Health Advocate of the Year Award presented by the State Health Education Council of West Virginia. Gregory Juckett, MD, MPH, is a professor of family medicine at West Virginia University, Morgantown, where he provides clinical services for the WVU Health Service and also directs the University's International Travel Clinic. He received his medical degree from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine at Hershey and a master's degree in public health from West Virginia University. He completed his family medicine residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Dr. Juckett's interests include tropical and travel medicine, dermatology, and cross-cultural health care. In addition, Dr. Juckett has extensive international experience in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific. Meredith Smith Ludden, MS, MA, has master's degrees in sport and exercise psychology and community counseling from West Virginia University. She has worked as a family and marriage therapist as well as a drug and alcohol counselor. She works for the State of New Mexico as a health educator to decrease the burden of chronic disease in the state. She and her husband, Sean, also own and operate a small farm that emphasizes sustainable and organic practices. In addition, Meredith is a certified yoga teacher. Her emphasis has been on whole-body wellness and helping her clients achieve this in the capacity that works for them.

Part I Challenges and Opportunities to Living Well Chapter 1 Wellness Beyond Health Prevention Health Care: Managing Crises Social Context Defining Health Versus Wellness Commitment Life's Boundless Classroom Mindful Awareness Life Challenges Choosing Balance Positive Psychology Summary Chapter 2 Living the Attitudinal Foundations Foundation for Mindfulness Seven Attitudinal Foundations Summary Chapter 3 Using Mindfulness to Enhance the Experience of Life Learning to Use Mindfulness Hatha Yoga Objective Information to Demonstrate Effectiveness of Wellness Practices Summary Chapter 4 Changing Your Perspective With Your Thoughts Lower- and Higher-Level Consciousness Hierarchy of Needs Stress Summary Chapter 5 Social Capital, Connections, and Support Community and Social Capital Relationships Wellness Benefits of Social Connections Using Acceptance to Make Connections Summary Part II Physical Dimensions of Wellness Chapter 6 Stepping Into Physical Activity Physical Activity and Exercise Benefits of Physical Activity FITT Principle Getting Started With Regular Physical Activity Summary Chapter 7 Nutrition Optimal Wellness Food Plan Major Food Groups Nutrients to Avoid Savvy Food Shopping Making a Wellness Eating Plan Work for You Summary Chapter 8 Sleep Balance Sleep Patterns Sleep Functions Sleep Challenges Driving Drowsy Methods to Attain Sound Sleep Summary Chapter 9 Health Care Advice to Live Well Young Adults and Medical Care Guide to the Medical Appointment Screening Recommendations Vaccination Recommendations Complementary Alternative or Integrative Medicine (CAM) Summary Part III Strategies for a Higher Level of Living Chapter 10 Understanding Addictions Spectrum of Addictions Fine Line between Passions and Addictions Stress Mechanism for Addictions Substance Abuse Battling Addiction Summary Chapter 11 Sustaining Environmental Health Protecting Ourselves, Assaulting the Planet Kleenex Culture Life Cycle Analysis Sustainability Challenge Summary Chapter 12 Spiritual Foundation Spirituality and Religion Defining Spirituality Processes of Change Love and Fear Learning to Accept Life Traditions of Mindfulness Summary