Welcome to Gaia! ::

First off, I'd like to remind all of you that I asked first before posting this...so if anyone plans to hit me with the almighty hammer.... <.<

Okay, now that's out of the way, let's talk health.
First off, this is not like what you think. When one usually thinks of health, they merely think of it as being physically sound and not inflicted with any disease (cooties btw is not a disease so if you STILL think it is one....).
This view has been reinforced mostly by what people sees in medical dramas about health...and even video games. You know what I mean...health bars showing how many hits one takes before they're dedz and all that.

But this is NOT the real definition of health. The definition that all of the medical field and academics acknowledge is the World Health Organization definition, which encompasses the "wholistic person". This means emotional, social, psychological, and even...yeah, even that.

So now that I've given you an idea how this works, let me guide you through all of the aspects of health, shall we? Who knows? You may discover things that may help you in the future.
(I take no responsibility whatsoever about what you plan on doing about the "last part" of this. I am not giving you any excuses for that now...)

Now then next aspect: Social

The social aspect of health is more of you having a peer/support group. This may be family/friends/colleagues/group mates. It's health when you can go out into the world and interact with people, new faces and old.
This may be chastising the introverts...but no. Even friends online count to your social well-being.

Now why is this part of health? Well, the old addage that "no man is an island" holds true (and please don't argue that just because you're a furry that you're immune to this. If you try, then I'd like to point out what's that human person in front of that computer that's typing out what you're saying right now? Isn't that human still you?).
When you feel down, your support people are around to perk you back up. This helps avert you from destructive ways in coping, like drugs and alcohol)
*note that alcohol isn't all that bad. It's when you ABUSE it when it's bad. Drugs...well, they're really a pain to begin with so please don't go there. I've seen the after effects and THEY ARE NOT PRETTY!)

I'd jump in and say how a good number of that really doesn't apply to me, but I know Tiger Pillow will eventually see my post and remind me I shouldn't use myself as an example =c *kicks at a rock* I'm too different.

I'm sure you noticed that this is lacking...the oomph everyone's looking for. I know, I know I promised to post it. However, there was one thing I wanted to share, but I needed time to reflect and understand it before I could confidently share this with you.


I stated that there is a psychological and social aspect to health. There is a middle line that is called psychosocial. This is actually a developmental theory of a person, proposed by Erik Erikson (redundant name. I know).
He states that everyone undergoes transitions in life where they have a developmental task. With each task is an underlying virtue. A failure in "resolving" the task can lead to problems (like maladaption for example). This may sound like a lot of bull, yes. However, this is the one most widely used by the health care system. I also know of a "case" I'm handling whose root cause is clearly explained by this.
And here we go. Each period, or "conflict" as we call it, corresponds to one stage in a person's life.

Infant - Basic Trust versus Basic Mistrust (Hope)
Toddler - Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt (Will)
Preschool - Initiative versus Guilt (Purpose)
School age - Industry versus Inferiority (Competence)
Adolescent - Identity versus Role Confusion (Fidelity)
Young Adult - Intimacy versus Isolation (Love)
Middle Adult - Generativity versus Stagnation (Care)
Old age - Ego integrity versus Despair (Wisdom)

Some of you may see some things ring bells. I'll explain each stating from infancy.


- Basic Trust versus Basic Mistrust. Virtue here is "Hope"

This whole period, you are helpless to the environment. At this time, your chance of surviving alone is nil. In order to survive, you need the care of your parents. However, you need to trust them that they would care for you, sort of trusting them with your life.

- Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt. Virtue here is "Will"

At this time, you are already exploring your world. You see something and you want to touch it, hold it, smell it, taste it (oh the joys of crayons or jewelry in the mouth XD). You would want to take action because of your undying curiosity.
What would cause the conflict however is that there are some things that should not be tasted, held, or touched. A wall socket perhaps, or maybe the stand to that flat screen plasma TV. Someone would stop you at this time, telling you to "not do this". If this goes on and you end up being walled off from trying to explore. You may end up giving up on it all, feeling ashamed at yourself because all you touch and all of that, you are told you shouldn't do. You'd begin to doubt yourself as you'd think that every thing that you try, you may do something wrong. This would also cause you to rely on other people instead of taking action yourself.
By the ways, this is also the reason why 2 year olds are called the "terrible twos". At this time, they learn to say "no". Let them have it their way some times; they're trying to learn the language.

Initiative versus Guilt. Basic virtue is "Purpose"

Ah.... Preschool. Getting stars and praise is what comes to mind here. There is good reason; you're through exploring the environment and now you're mastering it. You switch from Velcro to shoe laces and you learn to tie them on yourself. You start putting on your clothes, choosing them even (parents take note: if you let them choose their clothes, make sure whatever you buy them and let them choose from, you're comfortable with ANY combination). You may start learning how to cross the street, walk to the store. You might even help with the grocery shopping. As you do so, you receive praise. This makes you want to do more, because you know you're a good boy/girl; you're doing so with purpose.
However, things may not always come out right. You may end up tying your shoes wrong, you may end up dressing in the way that your parents just won't let you go out (Parents, this is what we want to avoid). You'll begin to feel frustrated, thinking "why can't I do it?". You may become frustrated to the point that you "don't want to do it". "Mommy! it's too hard! I don't want to do it!" You may even throw a tantrum or two. "But I want to ride on the pony!! I want to! I want to! I want to!". Be prepared to dodge incoming deadly flying teddy bears of doom. At the end of this, you may end up being the bully, because you hate the fact that other kids can do it and you can't. You start thinking you're a bad boy/girl...and hence since you think you are, you feel that you should be.

Industry versus Inferiority. Basic virtue here is "Competence"

"Playtime is over, Star-." *cough* ...couldn't help myself. Can you blame me? It's time for school! The time for play is over and now the time to learn has begun. At this time, you would want to be in school because you think it's fun and that everyone else is going into it. Sadly fun's over. But, in it's stead there are many opportunities to be praised for. You learn the habit of being industrious as you write sentences, draw, and recite, while receiving praise from your teachers (and parents if you bring home those stars of yours). You gradually learn that "I like this! I want to study!" and thus, the joy of school is learned.
Things...never really go as much as you plan though sometimes. Sometimes your "quick brown fox" just...doesn't look like it's a "quick brown fox" to your teacher (maybe a "guick brovvn tox"?). Maybe you don't bring home stars, and maybe you don't receive any words of encouragement from your parents. It's sad...it makes you want to cry. You feel bad about yourself, and you just lose confidence in yourself.

Identity versus Role Confusion. Basic virtue is "Fidelity"

Ah! The fun years! You suddenly notice the hairs growing in places they weren't, stuff that was too high up becomes easier to reach, "other things" begin to grow and you just can't ignore them, maybe? Welcome to puberty and teenage life! (erm...scratch that.... I think most of you are still teens, ne?) At this point on, you realize you're closer to being an adult. Makes one wonder, what should I do with my life? Do I still want to be that astronaut? Pro wrestler? Cyborg Pirate ninja with X-Ray vison? (yes, I throw silly stuff in to keep your attention to this wall of text). As you ponder what you want your role to be, other things pop out.
I just can't fit into my old tee! What do I do?! What should I wear! Should I ask my bff what I should put on?! Omigosh! I need that latest fashion mag nao!!! ...Okay, before everyone looks at me weird, let me explain (and no, I never did this so no more raised eyebrows please). You change physically. Your body changes. You may not recognize yourself in the mirror when you wake up. You start trying to break out of the identity you set yourself as a kid and make yourself a new identity.
This is also a time of confusion. Old friends may not be friends anymore. The school society has a huge change to it. Where should you fit in within the chaos of things?
And then let's talk about orientation. Do you like the company of fellow guys/gals? Do you feel an attraction to them? Do you feel...stimulated...down there? This is all a tough call but one should be true to themselves.

At this time, you may be inundated by all these changes far too much. You may not know how to handle it all. What the hell should I be doing?! What the hell should I do?!

Intimacy versus Isolation. Basic virtue is "Love"

Time to make commitments. At this point, you stop giving into your "beastial" nature and begin to look for real companionship. Friends than last a lifetime, a lover perhaps. No more flames for you; you want someone to hold, to be with, to grow old with.
However...you know how it ended with your first date, and your other dates before. You know how hard it is when you're rejected; how hard it is to be shunned away. You may end up curling up in a shell because...you don't want to experience that same pain again, isolating yourself.

Generativity versus Stagnation. Basic virtue is "Care"

Now, you haved tied that knot and you may have kids of your own, or not. You've done so much that now you feel that it's time to help other people out. Raising your kids up through the years, charity work; you just want to be helpful and contribute big.
...Or not. You may be fixated too much on your own life that you haven't really appreciated anyone else. What's the point of it all? Why should I help them if they don't help me out. You become stagnant. You may actually hate the fact that no chance has been happening in the society. You hate that the cogs aren't moving, but you just don't want to help give that oomph.

Ego Integrity versus Despair. Basic Virtue is "Wisdom"

You've done so much and you've lived a long life. Your kids have a family of their own. You're retired now and as you look into that sunset from that patio you always wanted to have (...you get the picture), you look back at life. Have I done a lot with my life? Have I accomplished a lot? You contemplate on every move you made and all the things that have passed. Fond memories, and you may find happiness in knowing as you wait for the end, you did it all your way with no regrets.
Ideally, that's how it should be. However, you may have. You may dread the fact that there's so little you have done. You may desperately try to set things right, but it's already too late. You now fear death, because there's so much more to be done. I can't die yet! No!!!

...Unless SOMEONE tells us how the afterlife is like and how one goes about in the psychosocial aspect, that's all of this folks.
Feel free to pm me for any concerns or clarifications. I know there are some. I may post something else about this part some time in the future if necessary. You'll see what I mean...or not if I don't have to.