What is Your Personal Health Score?

Taking care of your health is crucial in every aspect of life. Have you ever stopped to evaluate how well you're doing in this regard? Here's an assessment from the textbook "Health: The Basics" by Donatelle, R. J. (2019), to give you a clearer picture of your health habits. This self-assessment might provide valuable insights and could serve as an eye-opener to areas where you could improve your health practices.

For each section give yourself a score of 1-4, with 1 being "never", 2 being "rarely", 3 being "some of the time", and 4 being "usually or always".

Section 1: Physical Health

1.I am happy with my body size and weight.

1 2 3 4

2.I engage in vigorous exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or running for at least 30 minutes per day, three to four times per week.

1 2 3 4

3.I get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.

1 2 3 4

4.My immune system is strong, and my body heals itself quickly when I get sick or injured.

1 2 3 4

5.I listen to my body; when there is something wrong, I try to make adjustments to heal it or seek professional advice.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:   

Section 2: Social Health

1.I am open and honest, and I get along well with others.

1 2 3 4

2.I participate in a wide variety of social activities and enjoy being with people who are different from me.

1 2 3 4

3.I try to be a “better person” and decrease behaviors that have caused problems in my interactions with others.

1 2 3 4

4.I am open and accessible to a loving and responsible relationship.

1 2 3 4

5.I try to see the good in my friends and do whatever I can to support them and help them feel good about themselves.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:   

Section 3: Emotional Health

1.I find it easy to laugh, cry, and show emotions such as love, fear, and anger, and I try to express these in positive, constructive ways.

1 2 3 4

2.I avoid using alcohol or other drugs as a means of helping me forget my problems.

1 2 3 4

3.I recognize when I am stressed and take steps to relax through exercise, quiet time, or other calming activities.

1 2 3 4

4.I try not to be too critical or judgmental of others and try to understand differences or quirks that I note in others.

1 2 3 4

5.I am flexible and adapt or adjust to change in a positive way.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:    

Section 4: Environmental Health

1.I buy recycled paper and purchase biodegradable detergents and cleaning agents, or I make my own cleaning products whenever possible.

1 2 3 4

2.I recycle paper, plastic, and metals; purchase refillable containers when possible; and try to minimize the amount of paper and plastics that I use.

1 2 3 4

3.I try to wear my clothes for longer periods between washing to reduce water consumption and the amount of detergents in our water sources.

1 2 3 4

4.I vote for pro-environment candidates in elections.

1 2 3 4

5.I minimize the amount of time that I run the faucet when I brush my teeth, shave, or shower.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:

Section 5: Spiritual Health

1.I take time alone to think about what’s important in life—who I am, what I value, where I fit in, and where I’m going.

1 2 3 4

2.I have faith in a greater power, be it a supreme being, nature, or the connectedness of all living things.

1 2 3 4

3.I engage in acts of caring and goodwill without expecting something in return.

1 2 3 4

4.I sympathize and empathize with people who are suffering and try to help them through difficult times.

1 2 3 4

5.I go for the gusto and experience life to the fullest.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:  

Section 6: Intellectual Health

1.I carefully consider my options and possible consequences as I make choices in life.

1 2 3 4

2.I learn from my mistakes and try to act differently the next time.

1 2 3 4

3.I have at least one hobby, learning activity, or personal growth activity that I make time for each week, something that improves me as a person.

1 2 3 4

4.I manage my time well rather than letting time manage me.

1 2 3 4

5.My friends and family trust my judgment.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:  

Section 7: Personal Health Promotion/Disease Prevention

1.If I were to be sexually active, I would use protection such as latex condoms, dental dams, or other means of reducing my risk of sexually transmitted infections.

1 2 3 4

2.I can have a good time at parties or during happy hours without binge drinking.

1 2 3 4

3.I eat when I am hungry and stop eating when I am full. I do not try to lose weight by starving or forcing myself to vomit.

1 2 3 4

4.If I were to get a tattoo or piercing, I would go to a reputable person who follows strict standards of sterilization and precautions against bloodborne disease transmission.

1 2 3 4

5.I do not engage in extreme sports that risk bodily injury.

1 2 3 4

Total score for this section:   

Now total your scores for each section:

Physical health

Social health

Emotional health

Environmental health

Spiritual health

Intellectual health

Personal health promotion/disease prevention

Scores of 15–20:

Great job! Your responses demonstrate a strong understanding of the significance of these behaviors for your overall health. Even more commendable is your commitment to implementing healthy habits, which effectively reduce your overall health risks. While you've achieved a high score, there's always room for improvement. Take some time to reflect on areas where you could enhance your scores further.

Scores of 10–14:

It appears there are some health risks that need addressing! Understanding the risks you're facing and the importance of modifying these behaviors is crucial. If you're unsure about how to kickstart these changes, fret not. Support and guidance are readily available from various sources, including therapy, your professor or teacher at school, and resources provided within your school, workplace, or community.

Scores below 10:

You might be taking unnecessary risks with your health! It's possible that you're unaware of these risks and what steps to take to address them. Identify each area of risk and make a mental note as you delve into your psyche and make the decision to change. Whenever feasible, seek out additional health resources, whether on your campus, through your doctor, or within your local community, and commit earnestly to behavior change. If any particular area is hindering your functionality in professional/educational life or personal life, don't hesitate to seek professional assistance. Keep in mind that these scores serve as indicators and not diagnostic tools.

Great job completing the assessment and reviewing your scores! How do you feel now that you've seen your results? Are you satisfied with your score, or do you feel there are areas of your life that need attention? Did this assessment shed light on aspects of your life that require addressing? Hopefully, this experience has served as an eye-opener and motivates you to take steps toward improving your overall well-being. If you scored lower than expected, what specific actions do you believe you need to take to get back on track? Reflecting on these questions can serve as a catalyst for taking proactive steps toward self-improvement and striving to become the best version of yourself. Healing Hearts is here to help!