AFMC, wellness and you

  • Published
  • By Marilyn Leggett, RN
  • Civilian Health Promotion Service
In 1948, the World Health Organization defined health as a state of "complete physical, mental and social well-being" and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. 

More recently, being healthy is defined to include the ability to lead a "socially and economically productive life." From a medical perspective, health sometimes refers to a person's ability to respond to stressors to effectively sustain a constant state of physiological "balance" or homeostasis. The general view of a person's overall state of being is called "wellness." 

Air Force Materiel Command currently promotes a wellness and safety campaign in order to maintain the optimal health, wellness, and effectiveness of our working forces both active duty and civilian. One of the key ideas featured are four "Dimensions of Wellness" that includes emotional, social, spiritual and physical facets of the overall person. 

When people function adequately in all of these realms, they can think of themselves as balanced, positive and contented, and will likely enjoy a "can-do" outlook. Also, they have the energy and stamina to live their lives as fully as they like. 

Workplace wellness programs have been around for many years and, increasingly, more and more companies are getting on the bandwagon. The outcomes of these programs usually include improved morale and productivity. Access to fitness centers, health education classes, tobacco cessation programs and preventive screenings are just some of what makes these programs successful. 

In emphasizing wellness and safety, every AFMC installation enjoys services and opportunities for wellness that not every American worker can claim. 

Anyone reading this will likely think that providing these services is really about the bottom line and, realistically speaking, that's part of the big picture. Everyone is challenged to work hard and get tasks accomplished no matter the suspense or how few there may be to get the job done. 

But wellness is far more reaching than that. It also includes the practice and philosophy of wellness within family and community as well. In that sense, wellness really begins with each person and how that person chooses to live each day. 

All Eglin personnel, active duty and civilian, have access to the AFMC wellness website, www.afmcwellness.com. Using the site, anyone can complete a Health Risk Appraisal, track fitness goals, access the calendar of classes at the HAWC and read a variety of articles and newsletters. 

The wellness initiative also includes the Air Armament Center Civilian Physical Fitness program that allows Department of Defense civil service employees to participate in exercise during normal duty hours as their schedule permits. 

Civilian Health Promotion Service provides annual cholesterol screening, blood pressure screening, educational classes and individual health consultations at no cost. Other programs, such as Wingman Boldface, are designed to create a mutual community of caring, working together and taking responsibility for the health and wellness of the individual and, therefore, the greater Eglin family. 

Wellness begins with each person. What you do and encourage for others, continues the wellness idea so that you, your family, your workplace and your community benefits.
To find out more about the services available to you contact any helping agency at Eglin or contact the Health and Wellness Center (HAWC) at 883-8022/8020 or Civilian Health Promotion Service at 883-8024.