Integrative Health & Wellness Assessment*

*2014 International Nurse Coach Association inursecoach.com

Posted April 9, 2024

What is the IHWA? The Integrative Health and Wellness Assessment [IHWA] questionnaire is an integral process and powerful framework that assists Nurse Coaches to help clients become more aware of their wholeness and power in knowing, which leads to freedom to choose new health patterns and behaviors, to identify their desired goals and make changes, and then to learn how to sustain these changes. It can be described as “connecting the dots” of one’s storyline.

So why are we sending you information about this questionnaire when our mission centers around animal-assisted therapy? Well, we are all about SOUL and Sharing of Unconditional Love and enriching lives through the healing power of the human-animal bond. However, we ALL have the ability to heal ourselves by living healthier. That is why this IHWA questionnaire was developed...for deeper introspection about YOU, your health patterns and behaviors and where you can make changes for a better you. Let's all be the best we can be!

TAKE SOME TIME FOR YOURSELF AND COMPLETE THE IHWA!

Rate each question from 1 to 5

1-Never 2-Rarely 3-Occasionally 4-Frequently 5-Always

Categories include:

1. Life Balance/Satisfaction

   1. I have balance between my work, family, friends and self.

   2. I can release anxiety, worry and fear in a healthy way.

   3. I use strategies (breathing, stretching, relaxation, meditation and imagery) to manage stress daily.

   4. I recognize negative thoughts and reframe them.

2. Relationships

   1. I create and participate in satisfying relationships.

   2. I feel comfortable sharing my feelings/opinions without feeling guilty.

   3. I easily express love and concern to those I care about.

3. Spiritual

   1. I feel that my life has meaning, value and purpose.

   2. I feel connected a force greater than myself.

   3. I make time for reflective practice (affirmation, prayer, meditation).

4. Mental

   1. I prioritize my work and set realistic goals.

   2. I ask for help/assistance when needed.

   3. I can accept circumstances and events that are beyond my control.

5. Emotional

   1. I recognize my own feelings and emotions.

   2. I express my feelings in appropriate ways.

   3. I practice forgiveness.

   4. I listen to and respect the feelings of others.

6. Physical/Nutrition

   1. I eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables and recommended whole foods (beans, nuts) daily.

   2. I drink 6-8 glasses of water daily.

   3. I eat real food.

   4. I eat mindfully (concentrate on eating and not multi-tasking or eating in front of the TV).

7. Physical/Exercise

   1. I do stretching of flexibility exercises (head, neck, shoulders, back, legs) for at least 5 minutes, 3 times per week.

   2. I do strength exercises (use strength-training equipment, sit-ups, push-ups) regularly.

   3. I do aerobic exercise (jogging, swimming, fitness walking using arms, aerobic dance, active sports) regularly, using at least moderate intensity, 3 or more days per week for at least 30 minutes.

8. Physical/Weight

   1. I maintain an ideal weight.

   2. I have gained no more than 11 pounds in adulthood.

9. Environmental

   1. I have a healthy non-toxic home environment.

   2. I have a healthy non-toxic work environment.

   3. I am aware of how my external environment affects my health and well-being.

10. Health Responsibility

    1. I believe I am key to to my well-being and overall health.

    2. I know my blood pressure, triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose levels.

    3. I am aware of my risk factors for disease.

    4. I pay attention to my physical well-being and address symptoms as they arise.

    5. I can work and do activities of daily life.

    6. I avoid smoking or using smokeless tobacco.

    7. I discuss/formulate a wellness plan with my primary healthcare provider and take (if needed) and know prescribed medicines and possible side effects.

TOTAL SCORE _____/180

*Please note, there are no right or wrong answers, or "bad" scores. Rather, the scores in each category and overall give you a clue to what areas you need to pay more attention. If you were THE HEALTHIEST you could be, you would score 180; however, let's be realistic, we truly just want to identify the areas where we can change habits to become healthier. Let's move on the to ACTION PLAN.

ACTION PLAN: List 3 changes you can implement into your current lifestyle over the next 3 months

1. 1st change

2. 2nd change

3. 3rd change

Now that you've identified an action plan, put a reminder in your calendar to check back in 3 months. Did you change? What worked? What needs work?

INTEGRATIVE INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE

Affirmation

Appreciative Inquiry

Aromatherapy

Art

Celebration

Client Assessments

Cognitive Reframing

Contracts

Deep Listening

Drawing

Energy Healing

Exercise

Flower Essences

Goal Setting

Guided Imagery

Healing Touch

Holistic Self-Assessments

Humor and Laugher

Intention

Journaling

Meditation

Mindfulness Practice

Motivational Interviewing

Movement

Music

Observation

Play

Powerful Questions

Prayer

Presence

Probing Questions

Reflection

Reiki

Relaxation Modalities

Rituals of Healing

Self-Care Interventions

Self-Reflection

Silence

Somatic Awareness

Stories

Sound

Therapeutic Touch

Visioning