How Healthy Are You - Find out with the Health Continuum

The Health Continuum

What is the Health Continuum?

The Health Continuum is a model that encourages a preventive approach to health, illustrating that health changes over time as we progress along the continuum, due to factors that move us from one stage to another (1).  This model, developed by Dr. John Travis, illustrates that health is a dynamic and ever-changing state characterized by varying degrees of well-being (1) (2).

As you see below, one end of the continuum represents severe illness or disability and premature death. In contrast, the other end represents self-awareness and optimal well-being, with a central neutral point simply representing the absence of recognized symptoms or illness.

Health Continuum

Stages of the Health Continuum:

As you move from the center neutral point to the left of the continuum, you see declining health due to dysfunction, disease, or disability.

From the center neutral point moving to the right of the continuum, you see a progression of increasing levels of health and vitality with proactive health management practiced that improves health and enhances the quality of life.

Simply put, movement to the left represents disease development, while movement to the right represents wellness development.

High-Level Wellness at the far right of the continuum represents a thriving life filled with a sense of purpose, positivity, and well-being, achieving peak physical, mental, and spiritual functioning.

Growth represents engaging in behaviors that prevent disease and build health in the body.  This may include actions like exercising regularly, consuming a healthy diet, and managing stressors.

Awareness and Education represent developing knowledge about health and wellness that you can use to make lifestyle adjustments that move you toward growth.

Signs and Symptoms represent physical discomfort or dysfunction that begin to disrupt daily routines or require management that limits your well-being.

Disease and Disability represent the presentation of major limitations to lifestyle in terms of mobility or cognitive function that require support and medical care.

Premature Death is the extreme consequence of ignored or insufficiently managed health conditions.

Components of the Health Continuum:

Together, these six components of the Health Continuum impact individual wellness (2):

·       Physical health

·       Emotional health

·       Mental health

·       Social health

·       Environmental health

·       Spiritual health

Proactive steps to improve wellness

First, assess your current position on the continuum, taking into account the six components mentioned above.  This will help you make informed decisions and implement lifestyle changes that will move you toward the wellness end of the spectrum.

Balanced Whole Food Diet: Consume primarily whole foods like vegetables, lean meats, wild-caught fish, fruits, and legumes while avoiding ultra-processed foods like hot dogs, mac & cheese, and sugary beverages.

Regular Physical Movement: Incorporate at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week based on your level of fitness.  Avoid sitting for too long; make it a point to get up and move around for a few minutes throughout the day, especially if you have a desk job.

Manage Stressors:  Incorporate stress-reducing strategies into your daily routine as needed.  Deep breathing, prayer, exercise, and hobbies can all be helpful tools in stress reduction.

Proper Sleep:  Ensure at least 7 hours of sleep each night to reduce your risk for chronic disease. 

Build Your Community:  Develop strong, positive relationships and connect with others daily for increased happiness.

Arloski, M. Wellness Coaching for Lasting Lifestyle Change (2^nd ed.), 2014; Whole Person Associates, Inc., Duluth, MN (1)