Good Communication, Environment and Wellness - Essay Example

31 October Environment and Wellness Wellness is the total of being of an individual, with a sense of well being and positive outlook. Wellness is the summation of six dimensions combined to create a sphere of wellness for an individual, namely: the physical, emotional, spiritual, occupational, intellectual, and social wellness or everything around us. The mind and body greatly interconnected for the mind controls the body. A relaxed mind equates to sound decision-making and function of an individual. A stressed mind is an unhealthy mind. The American Psychological Association (APA) reported in 20102 that “less than half of all Americans (40 percent) perceive themselves to be in excellent or very good health” with a similar number saying their “stress levels have increased over the past five years”. Stress is unavoidable but can be managed to produce optimum health and happiness for the individual. Reduction of inner and outer stress is a fundamental and paramount element to self-care and wellness which lessens stress and improves health. Environment is defined as “the sum total of all surroundings of a living organism, including natural forces and other living things, which provide conditions for development and growth as well as of danger and damage” (Business Dictionary). It is where everyone exists and is affected by everything around, particularly, our socio-physical surroundings. For the purposes of this paper, I will examine the relationship of the environment, more specifically, the work and natural environment, to the wellness of a person. The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) identified in their studies that environment and wellness of an individual is greatly dependent on each other (ICAA: 2010). As the average American spend more of their time in their work environment (Russ and Montgomerry). APA adds there are increasing work-related factors as sources of stress for the individual. In 2010, 75 percent of Americans interviewed by APA identified work as a source of stress, an increase from 71 percent in 2009 and 66 percent in 2008. The World Health Organization states that “stress occurs in a wide range of work circumstances” and “cause functional behavior at work and contributes to poor physical and mental health (and) in extreme cases, long-term stress or trauma…resulting in absence from work and preventing the worker from being able to work again”. Russ and Montgomerry’s research on “The Impact of Design Elements on Wellness in the Built Environment” looked at architectural design elements in workspaces which contribute to the wellness of employees. These are lighting, ventilation, acoustics, texture, color, use of space, ergonomics, incorporation of nature/natural elements, and use of art. Respondents stated these elements contribute to reducing stress at the workplace. The study identified that 92 percent of respondents believe proper lighting is necessary to reduce stress, with 42 percent believing that improper lighting is a health hazard. Ventilation contributes to health where records indicate that low ventilation in the workplace causes illness. Acoustics play a major part in stress as 70 percent state noisy environments cause distractions. Higher distraction on the part of the employee results to lower productivity. Other elements like texture, color, incorporation of nature and the use of art in the design elements of the work place contribute to soothing stress in the work environment. Proper use of space and ergonomics contributed to more efficient ways for business or production activities. The study noted the direct correlation between having a low stress work environment from good design elements, efficiency and productivity of the company and, lowering costs for work related healthcare. It noted that employee wellness resulted to higher work retention, loyalty, recruitment, lowered absences, higher productivity and profit for the company. The ICAA paper, “Practical Strategies in Providing Wellness in Outdoor Environments” identified the direct link between the individual’s health and the environment, particularly the physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, vocational and emotional dimensions of wellness. It notes that a safe and relaxing environment minimizes harmful effects and provides safety and security. The paper focused on the natural (outdoor) environment and its contribution to wellness. The relationship of elderly individuals and exposure to the outdoor/natural environment show many benefits. The natural environment promotes reduction of stress and mental recovery from stress, added health benefits like better sleeping patterns, less verbal agitation and better recovery from disability. ICAA noted that aside from lower health costs, the natural environment promotes a more positive atmosphere between the elderly adults and staff. The natural environment provides the elderly with an active lifestyle outdoors instead of being confined in rooms or buildings. Both papers recommend inclusion of design elements in work places and elderly homes. Russ and Montgomerry identified key design elements in the workplace to provide a more soothing and stress free environment for workers while ICAA advocates for the incorporation of outdoor natural environments spaces in elderly homes/communities to promote relaxation and other health benefits for residents. As the environment is everything around us, a healthy environment equates to wellness. With all dimensions of wellness achieved, we can expect a healthier individual. Each of the dimensions of wellness is characterized by Russ and Montgomerry as follows: “Physical wellness is the need for healthy and regular physical activity. Emotional wellness is the awareness and acceptance of one’s feelings and that ability to form relationships based on commitment, trust and respect. Spiritual wellness - our search for meaning and purpose in existence and is characterized by a personal harmony of our personal feelings and emotions against our own values. Intellectual wellness - the expansion of man’s knowledge and skills through life. Occupational wellness - personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life through work. And, social wellness encourages contributing to one’s environment and community, making healthy living choices, initiating better communication with others, and building a better world for everyone”. As we currently live in a highly stressful environment, brought about by the desire to succeed, we fail to account for our wellness – focused only at succeeding. We fail to see how stress gradually degenerate health, affecting performance and, consequently, achievement of success. I chose environment with emphasis on the workplace, as stress is now a global phenomenon. In a high paced corporate and business world, everybody desiring financial success, we forget our own state of wellness. Russ and Montgomerry and the ICAA, provided me insight of equating success to a person’s wellness. A conducive environment is a key to the wellness. Russ and Montgomery showed that a workplace with proper design elements makes employees more efficient and productive. ICAA supports this in their study which shows that the natural environment promotes longevity and health. Both papers showed me that we should take into consideration our environment for us to be well and productive. Works Cited American Psychological Association. “Stress in America Findings” November 2010. Business Dictionary. “Environment”. n.d. Web 31 October 2012. ICAA (International Council on Active Aging). “White Paper: Practical Strategies in Providing Wellness in Outdoor Environments”. n. date. Web. 31 October 2012. Russ, Randall R. and Kathy Ford Montgomerry. “The Impact of Design Elements on Wellness in the Built Environment”. Environmental Design and Research Association 38th Annual Conference. n. date. 51-55. Web. 31 October 2012. World Health Organization. “Work Organization and Stress. Protecting Workers’ Health Series No. 3. University of Nottingham: United Kingdom. 2004. Web. 31 October 2012. Read More