According to the text, well-being is defined as an "integrated and dynamic level of functioning, oriented towards maximizing potential, dependent on self-responsibility". It involves both preventative health behaviors and a change in thinking and attitude. Well-being is a lifelong promise to oneself of growth and fulfillment in each of seven dimensions: emotional, spiritual, physical, professional, intellectual, environmental and social. It means a life of continuous change and constant striving towards higher levels of healthy and successful living. This ultimately means that you need to live a life that satisfies each of those dimensions both individually and collectively. Not living a healthy lifestyle can have harmful effects on both your health and your life, and not just yours but that of the people around you. An unhealthy lifestyle means more diseases and more expenses to treat them. This means a greater burden on an already struggling and over-budgeted healthcare system. Poor health also means more time lost at work, less quality recreational time and a shorter lifespan. Not to mention the onset of major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes are said to be responsible for nearly two out of three deaths in the United States. While there is a possibility that these diseases can be prevented with a healthy lifestyle, there is no way to actually prevent the onset and progression of these conditions. Unfortunately, young children are introduced to these unhealthy lifestyles and carry them straight into adulthood; thus becoming walking billboards for diseases. These diseases compromise health, shorten life expectancy and cause enormous suffering, disability and economic... middle of paper... blood sugar levels play a vital role in preventing disease and maintaining excellent well-being physicist. As stated, scheduling and attending annual physical exams, avoiding tobacco products, adequate sleep, and regular physical activity will also dramatically reduce the risk of these diseases. It is important to recognize that sleep is an absolutely crucial component of optimal health and disease prevention. There is a big difference in the potential to prevent morbidity and mortality from CVD, diabetes, and cancer through a healthy lifestyle versus an unhealthy lifestyle. Sources: Access to Health: Kindle Edition Text Chapter 15: Preventing Cardiovascular Disease Text Chapter 16: Reducing the Risk of Cancer Presentation: Preventing Cardiovascular DiseasePresentation: Minimizing the Risk of Diabeteshttp://circ.ahajournals.org/content/ 109/25/3244.full