The Health Improvement Project (HIP) provides an opportunity for Georgetown University faculty and staff to address a personal health behavior of their choice. Using a behavioral contract and weekly journal entries, participants can systematically identify a health behavior that can be changed; track weekly progress; and receive social support for the process of change. Each session includes an acitivity related to a specific dimension of wellness. Examples of wellness activities include drawing, a seated massage demonstration, and a group walk through a local park.
What is wellness?
As defined by the National Wellness Insitute, wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a more successful existence. The key words in this definition are:
- Process - we never arrive at a point where there is no possibility of improving.
- Aware - we are continuously seeking more information about how we can improve.
- Choices - we consider a variety of options and select those that seem to be in our best interest.
- Success - we identify our own personal collection of life accomplishments.
Ready for Change?
MyHealthMedia is a service provided to the Georgetown community that can help you understand the relationship between your behaviors and your health. Simply complete and submit the online questionnaire to receive an individualized plan that will identify behaviors that need improvement and provide tools for making healthy changes. (To use MyHealthMedia for the first time, click Sign Up Today! The Georgetown University access code is GTW26513895.)
For Facilitators...
HIP is an 8-week course that builds on the work of Dr. Donna Cameron and her associates at Georgetown University and the University of Maryland - College Park. Sample lesson guides and materials for facilitators are available here. If you are interested in being fully trained to implemenent HIP at your institution, contact Donna Cameron at 202-687-0427 and also by email at ddc@georgetown.edu or contact Sue Johnston at 202-687-1771 shj22@georgetown.edu.
