The general health and wellness of America is declining, if the importance of this is not stressed to the general public this trend will continue to decline. The average person doesn’t pay enough attention to their health. Too many families resort to fast food because life is just too busy; children are being taught these bad habits, creating a generation of unhealthy people. These continuing bad habits can be avoided if people realize they have the power to change. Some may believe it’s too hard or too expensive to be healthy when in reality it isn’t. Everyone knows that we should put good things into our bodies. What many people don’t know, is that it is just as important to surround the body with a healthy environment. A built environment can not only be constructed of healthy products but it can also encourage good behavior.
This can be accomplished through the use of sustainable products and processes, with regards to proper lighting and color psychology that encourages good behavior. A social approach to the situation will yield the best results because in today’s society; everyone is connected and interacting and everyone wants to do what their friends are doing. If learning how to live a sustainable life is a fun social event for friends, the public will be more excited about it. Viewing a sustainable life as a fun challenge will have a more profound effect than preaching to people that it is something they should do.
A health and wellness vacation center can hold the solution to both sides of this problem. This vacation center has a bed and breakfast-like intimate atmosphere paired with an education on a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. A sustainable lifestyle is described “as one that enhances individual health and well-being while simultaneously supporting the long-term viability of the community” (qtd. in Jackson et al). The goal of the center is to show people how to live a sustainable lifestyle. Infusing sustainability and health within a person can be achieved through educational practices in a social environment. The vacation center would provide educational classes on gardening, healthy cooking, yoga, meditation, exercise, and art making. Each activity is done as a group or family in order to encourage socialization and “prime” people to live healthier lifestyles after they leave.
Thesis Statement
The goal of built environments should, not only be sustainable within itself, but also inspire and teach the users to make healthy choices. Our environments need to be just as good for us as the activities we participate in. When the public is provided with a place where they can go and educate themselves on health and wellbeing, they will carry their lessons home with them and become part of a better future.