The 5 Aspects of Whole Health®
The model of Whole Health Education® and its 5 Aspects of Whole Health® was developed beginning in 1977 by the National Institute of Whole Health. The model is utilized in all NIWH programs and courses. It represents all components of an individual client’s needs, which include their physical, emotional, nutritional, environmental, as well as their beliefs and values, also referenced as their spirituality.
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You will note in the courses provided in this curriculum, the application portion of the class assignment asks you to explain what you have learned and how you would share this information with others from a 5 Aspects of Whole Health perspective. This short tutorial will serve as an introduction to the 5 Aspects of Whole Health® model to be applied to your course assignments.
By expressing your understanding of the course material through this 5 Aspects model, it demonstrates your grasp of the information presented and allows you to develop the skills needed to provide clients with a demystified, scientific explanation of the cause and effect of their lifestyle choices and behaviors on their physical presentation or concern.
The Five Aspects of Whole Health®
Modern medical practices, even in today’s “integrative” environments, do not look at the person as a whole. This is the guiding principle of the NIWH Whole Person Health perspective - to look at the “whole” of the person’s unique presentation and observe, through a more circular rather than linear perspective, how these elements are impacting negatively or positively the individual’s health.
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Physical
Addresses the many components of an individual’s physical function and structure, and how these components may have an impact on health or disease. An example of this would be an individual who has experienced a physical injury due to an auto accident, sports activity, repetitive use, congenital issues, and so forth. Or it can be a result of either a lack of, or too much, exercise. These physical effects can often be overlooked in the process of identifying what is the cause and effect of a particular health concern.
Emotional
The emotional component of health, as well as mental processing, has been evidenced to have a profound impact on health and well-being. By understanding brain function, behavior, and the effects of stress as well as the hormonal/emotional implications that impact health, an individual can better understand how they can take control over their own health and well-being.
Nutritional
In our food, health, and weight loss-obsessed culture, nutrition has taken on religious status, with devotees passionate about various “true” diets. However, nutrition has much to do with the function of our digestive and assimilation systems; our brain functioning and world view, our nervous system, which controls our digestion, as well as our hormonal state. The chemistry of how food is grown, processed, and preserved is also a critical component influencing our health.
Environmental
This is a much-overlooked area of influence on an individual’s health and well-being. There is much information about the toxicity of our water, air, and food that is now showing the causative relationship between the environment and illness. By becoming more aware of the impact the environment has on longevity and health, we can better advocate for our clients.
Spiritual
By looking at an individual’s beliefs, values, and worldview, we can understand their spiritual sensibilities, which are the foundation on which we build our lives. Spirit means “breath” or “to live,” and this is important because the choices we make and the behaviors we manifest come from our beliefs and values. In order to change our behaviors, we must experience a shift in our emotional make-up, which is a rearrangement of our beliefs, values, and worldview.
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The Whole Picture of Health®
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​When we integrate these five aspects of whole health into the whole picture of health®, we are able to provide information and care that is whole-person focused. This is an important perspective for any patient health educator or advocate to include in their practice, as each client or patient is uniquely different from each other and brings to the client different needs and wants that will be represented by one of these five aspects of whole health.
As you go through the curriculum, you are invited to develop your responses from this 5-aspect foundation, layering one course of content upon the other. It is this developing and building of a whole health foundation of information, knowledge, and skills that will distinguish your whole health services from others.
It may take a little time for you to adapt to this new way of “walking around” your client’s needs from a 360-degree perspective. However, once you become familiar and comfortable with this whole-person approach, you will appreciate the empowerment it can provide your clients and yourself!
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The Five Aspects of Whole Health® and The Whole Picture of Health® are trademarks of the National Institute of Whole Health