In an era where people are more health-conscious than ever before, a volume on whole body wellness couldn’t be more prescient. Total wellness involves both mind and body, factoring in mental health as well as physical fitness, and is a goal towards which many people strive. It is not an easy journey, however, and this edition in the Principles of Health series will guide readers through the various aspects of Whole-Body Wellness necessary to attain a greater level of personal well-being. This volume introduces students and researchers to the fundamentals of overall wellness. Entries explore topics such as mental health, physical health, social connectivity, financial stability, emotional satisfaction, occupational success, environmental awareness, and spiritual fulfillment. Principles of Health: Whole Body Wellness begins with a comprehensive Editor’s Introduction to the topic of overall wellness. Following the Introduction, this volume includes 140 entries arranged in seven broad categories: Environmental Conservation discusses different practical ways that the average person can make positive contributions to the environment and their own health and wellness such as increasing awareness of one’s carbon footprint and participating in community gardens. Exercise-Based Therapies details popular and effective movement-based exercise therapies such as dance movement therapy, pilates, qigong, weight training, yoga, and more. Mental Health Screening details the variety of mental health assessment and screening techniques from the Beck Anxiety Inventory to the Thematic Apperception Test. Natural Treatments for Wellbeing looks at 35 common natural remedies and practices, discussing their effectiveness from a scientific perspective. Topics include biofeedback, ear candling, and magnet therapy, to name a few. Social Support and Occupational Health discusses the importance of social support in relation to mental health, workplace safety measures, and therapies utilized after workplace accidents. Spiritual Health looks at the spiritual connection to whole body wellness, encompassing different faiths and belief systems, and spirituality and mental health broadly. Wellness Therapies provides insight into 55 therapeutic techniques not covered elsewhere in this volume, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, massage therapy, and more. Some of the entries in this edition include: Environmental Conservation Exercise-Based Therapies Mental Health Screening Natural Treatments for Well-Being Occupational Health Social Support Spiritual Anxiety Wellness Therapies Each essay includes valuable top matter—Category, Definition, and Key Terms—and ends with a helpful Further Information section. Photos and illustrations enhance many of the entries. In addition, Principles of Health: Whole Body Wellness includes helpful back matter, such as a comprehensive Bibliography, a Glossary, a list of Organizations, and a Subject Index. Principles of Health: Whole Body Wellness provides a comprehensive and accessible resource for high school students, undergraduates, as well as general readers interested in learning more about the important aspects of bettering oneself both physically and mentally.
