When someone asks us, how we're doing? What comes to mind? Some may associate this question with either social, physical or mental health. May we measure the current level of pain we are experiencing? Do we look at our personal circumstances, or the circumstances that are to come? Or do we think of our recent doctors visit, or the last time we went to the gym or an exercise class to answer that question? Whatever the case, we all have to base our answer to that question on something that directly affects us. Well, when we look at ALL the factors that could cross our mind when answering such a simple question, one thing is for sure, whatever the facet that forms our answer is important and an indicator to how we perceive our health.
When we look at the presence of biomedicine in our society we tend to have a very linear way of thinking about it. Get sick, take meds, rest; if the problem persists go to the doctor. This has been the case for some time. When looking at traditional medicine we find that remedies differ from circumstance, culture and area. These aspects of medicine shape our idea of health and illness. Our perception can be easily swayed. If something works then it becomes a remedy and we find a way to frame it into our health concept.
I say all this to frame the idea that our perception is just as important as the treatment or measures taken to bring us back to wellness. As a matter of fact, our perception shapes how we look at the treatment or how we address our health. For instance, having stress due to problems on the job may cause us to think negatively about our health, even if there are not physical or biometric signs of fatigue or stress. To take it a step further, we see instances when participants rate their health poorly based on the health of their family overall. This I find fascinating, community health affecting an individuals own perception of their health. Surprisingly, this is very common. How we define our health often affects how we manage our health. Having a varying perception of our health or an external impact effect, can modify how we feel internally. Thus, making choices on how to remedy the event, administer care or when to seek care could differ.
The image you see here is an NBS Score or (Nutritional Block Score) this tool helps me get a small view into a persons own perception of their health. This when compared to their biometrics (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, etc) and anthropometrics (BMI, weight, waist circumference, body fat, etc) we see distinct differences between the three. Often times the NBS Score is noticeably lower in comparison than the two. Our perception is often affected by facets outside of the biometrics and anthropometrics. Understanding what that may be is where I came in.
When trying to understand health perception and develop a wellness program that was effective, I found many obstacles. I developed a way to measure how exercise, education and accountability improved the overall health of the participants. Creating the NBS Score, helped me to see what factors improved their perceptions the most. What was more fascinating than the components that positively changed their perception, was what altered their thinking or awareness in the first place.
Our view of what defines health is important, it can aid us in making good or bad choices regarding our overall wellness. Being mindful of how we think of ourselves and understanding that health without accurate awareness can be destructive. We as a whole can be better informed and manage our health in a much more effective way. Defining health in a way that we as individuals can identify with and apply, is the next ystep in building a more health conscious society.
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