Health Inventory

You may not realize how much of your health inventory is hidden under the surface. It's a concept called the Iceberg Model of Health, or sometimes just plain wellness. The main idea behind this concept is this: what's most obvious about your health inventory status is just the tip of the iceberg.

Icebergs reveal only about one-tenth of their mass above the water. The other nine-tenths remains submerged. This is why they are such a nightmare in navigation, and why they make such an appropriate metaphor in considering your state of health and wellness.

On the surface you'll find what experts call the lifestyle or behavorial inventory items. This includes eating, exercising, relaxation, stress to name a few. Under the surface, we encounter the cultural, psychological and motivational level. The inventory here includes the things that drive you to the health decisions on the tip of the iceberg.

Finally, at the iceberg's foundation, you have the spiritual level. You may know it as being or meaning. You may also hear it referred to as metaphysical, philosophical or transpersonal. Everything on this level controls the level above which in turn affects what you see at the iceberg tip.

A true health inventory requires a deep dive to the foundation for complete health and wellness.