Health & Wellbeing

Learn about health and wellbeing so you can improve your life or help others. Explore fitness, nutrition, stress management, preventative health and First Aid with one-on-one guidance from your tutor.

Course Code: VRE102
Fee Code: S1
Duration (approx) Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
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Study, Learn and be Healthier

 

Health and wellbeing is the result of a combination of physical, social, intellectual and emotional factors that help meet the demands of living. Every aspect of our lives affects health and wellbeing. The balance required to maintain wellbeing can change over time, across cultures and individuals. While some factors may be largely out of our control, there are many factors we can act on to improve our health and wellbeing and often start with improving the understanding of ourselves.

Study this course to guide you into a healthier, happier ‘you’; or learn the concepts to help others improve their health and happiness.

  • Emotional or Mental health - Healthy thoughts and attitudes.

  • Structural Health - The health of the body is structurally sound: the bones, muscles, organs etc. are functioning to meet daily demands they should perform.

  • Chemical Health - The chemicals in our body are correct: there are no toxic chemicals; the tissues are made up of the appropriate balance of nutrients etc.

This course builds on these simple concepts.

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Industry Overview
    • Scope of the health and fitness industries
    • Defining fitness
    • Resources and networking
    • Aerobic fitness
  2. Modern Lifestyle Problems
    • Health risks and physical activity
    • Hazardous substances
    • Cancer
    • Food allergies
    • Health care strategy for an aging population
    • Wellbeing of special demographic groups: pregnant women, children, obese people, people with disabilities etc
  3. Human Nutrition
    • Overview
    • Nutrition basics
    • Carbohydrates, proteins, fats
    • Dietary fibre, vitamins, mineralsBalanced diet
    • The food pyramid
    • Principles of weight loss
    • Dietary protein intake and physical activity
    • Food combining
  4. Healthy Eating
    • Nutrition and diet problems
    • Anorexia
    • Obesity
    • Nutritive value with cooking and processing
    • Meat
    • Fish
    • Milk
    • Plant foods
    • Processing food
    • Canning and pasteurisation
    • Freezing, drying, etc
  5. Stress Management
    • Body changes caused by stress
    • Muscle response
    • Gastrointestinal response
    • Cardiovascular response
    • Stress management program
    • Easy living
    • Stress cures
    • Drugs and alcohol
    • Relaxation
  6. Preventative Health
    • Responsibility for your own health
    • Self esteem
    • Managing your own career
    • Decision making
    • Emotional security
    • Problem solving
    • Personal style inventory
    • Motivations and barriers for exercise
  7. Alternative Medicine
    • Overview
    • Herbal medicines
    • Aromatherapy
    • Complimentary therapies
    • Accupressure
    • Pain points; trigger points
    • Acupuncture
    • Homeopathy
    • Osteopathy
    • Chiropractic
    • Physiotherapy
    • Counselling and psychological therapies
    • Relaxation therapies
    • Other therapies
  8. Basic First Aid
    • Overview
    • Soft tissue injuriesWounds
    • Shock and fainting
    • Fractures
    • Strains, sprains and dislocations
    • Heat and cold
    • Recuscitation
    • Drowning
    • Eye injuries
    • Spinal injuries
    • Health promotion at work

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

What You Will Do

  • Create a resource file of health and fitness related businesses, contacts, services etc.
  • Interview people to learn how they rate their health and fitness and what they do to improve/maintain them.
  • Identify ways to overcome a health/fitness problem in your own life.
  • Identify different food allergies and ways to deal with them.
  • Identify eating and nutritional disorders and describe possible treatments.
  • Explain how age, level of activity, gender and other factors affect their dietary needs.
  • Explain the principle of food combining.
  • List the effects of alcohol abuse.
  • Explain how high self esteem is achieved, and consider positive and negative effects.
  • Identify services in your area that offer natural therapies and what they entail.
  • Find out what first aid courses are available in your region, and what is entailed.
  • List items that should be kept in a basic first aid kit.

Inactivity can Kill

People who are usually inactive can improve their health and well-being by becoming even moderately active on a regular basis. Also, physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits. It is important to also remember that greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount (duration, frequency, or intensity) of physical activity.

Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death. Regular physical activity improves health in the following ways:

 

  • Reduces the risk of dying prematurely.

  • Reduces the risk of dying from heart disease.

  • Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.

  • Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure.

  • Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.

  • Reduces the risk of developing colon cancer.

  • Reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.

  • Helps control weight.

  • Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.

  • Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling.

  •  Promotes psychological well-being.

Given the numerous health benefits of physical activity, the hazards of being inactive are clear. Physical inactivity is a serious, nationwide problem. Its scope poses a public health challenge for reducing the national burden of unnecessary illness and premature death.

Individuals contemplating an increase in physical activity should start out slowly and gradually build up to the desired amount to give the body time to adjust, to avoid soreness and injury afterwards. People with chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or obesity, or who are at high risk for these problems should first consult a physician before beginning a new program of physical activity. Also, men over age 40 and women over age 50 who plan to begin a new vigorous physical activity program should consult a physician first to be sure they do not have heart disease or other health problems.

Hazardous substances

The warnings about risks from hazardous substances are everywhere. Every day, the news media report information on hazardous substances. Many products now tout warning labels or claims about being "all natural" and "chemical free." How do we know when a risk is serious? How do researchers estimate risk, and how does the government use this information to develop regulations that limit our exposure to hazardous substances?

By becoming better informed you can reduce the risks that you determine to be unacceptable. This may mean changing your lifestyle or providing input to government, industry, and consumer / environmental interest groups. If you would like more information the sources listed below are a good place to start. You may also want to contact your local health department or regional or state environmental agencies for other information sources.

Where can this course lead?

Throughout the world, the health industry is quietly emerging as one of the leading sectors for job opportunities. Today, there are many different services and products on the market to improve or maintain a state of wellbeing. These goods and services might be considered to be part of the health and fitness industry. These can include things as variable as medical services through to fitness, sport, recreation and food. The concepts taught in this course may be applicable for numerous jobs within the health and fitness industry such as: 

  • Life Coaching

  • Lifestyle Coordinator

  • Health Food Shop worker/owner

  • Community Education

  • Administration/Reception

  • Health and Fitness products – sales

  • Sports Coach

  • Counseling

  • Nutrition

  • Alternative Medicine

  • Health Support Services

  • Research

ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
ACS is a Member of the Complementary Medicine Association.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.
Since 1999 ACS has been a recognised member of IARC (International Approval and Registration Centre). A non-profit quality management organisation servicing education.

How can I start this course?

You can enrol at anytime and start the course when you are ready. Enrolments are accepted all year - students can commence study at any time. All study is self paced and ACS does not set assignment deadlines.

Please note that if a student is being assisted by someone else (e.g. an employer or government subsidy), the body offering the assistance may set deadlines. Students in such situations are advised to check with their sponsor prior to enrolling. The nominal duration of a course is approximately how long a course takes to complete. A course with a nominal duration of 100 hours is expected to take roughly 100 hours of study time to complete. However, this will vary from student to student. Short courses (eg. 100 hrs duration) should be completed within 12 months of enrolment. Certificates, Advanced Certificates and Awards (eg. over 500 hours duration) would normally be completed within 3 -5 years of enrolment. Additional fees may apply if a student requires an extended period to complete.
If a student cannot submit their assignments for 6 months to ACS, they should advise the school to avoid cancellation of their student
registration. Recommencement fees may apply.

Simply click on the ENROL OPTIONS button at the top of this screen and follow the prompts.

You can see the course price at the top of this page. Click 'enrolment options' to see any payment options available.

You can pay by Credit Card, PayPal, Afterpay or bank transfer.

Yes! We have payment plans for most courses. Click 'enrolment options' to see the available payment plans.
We also have Afterpay that will allow you to pay for your course or payment plans in four instalments (if you are in Australia).


What do I need to know before I enrol?

There are no entry requirements that you need to meet to enrol in our courses, our courses are for everyone.
If you are under 18, we need written permission from your parent/ guardian for your enrolment to continue, we can arrange that after you have enrolled.

You don’t need to purchase any additional resources to complete our courses.

We aim to teach you the essentials without you having to purchase any specific computer program.
We recommend that you have access to a word processing program, such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs, so that you can easily complete and submit your assignments.

You sure can. We are here to help you learn whatever your abilities.

Yes, if you are enrolling in a Certificate or Advanced Certificate, you might be eligible for credits if you have evidence of your previous studies or relevant experience. More information is here.

We recommend that you are able to browse websites, send emails and conduct online research. You will need to be able to type and submit your assignments.
If you have limited computer skills, we can make special arrangements for you.

This is possible, it depends on the institution. We recommend that if you would like to use our courses that you contact the institution first. Our Course Handbook is a good resource for this.

Our courses are written in English and we only have English speaking academic staff. If you can read and complete your assignments in English, our courses are ideal for you.

Our courses are designed to build knowledge, hands on skills and industry connections to help prepare you to work in the area, running your own business, professional development or as a base for further study.

This course has been designed to cover the fundamentals of the topic. It will take around 100 hours to complete, which includes your course reading, assignment work, research, practical tasks, watching videos and anything else that is contained in the course. Our short courses are a great way to do some professional development or to learn a new skill.

It’s up to you. The study hours listed in the course are a rough guide, however if you were to study a short course (100 hours) at 10 hours per week, you could finish the course in 10 weeks (just an example). Our courses are self-paced, so you can work through the courses in your own time. We recommend that you wait for your tutor to mark and return your assignment before your start your next one, so you get the benefits of their feedback.

The course consists of course notes, videos, set tasks for your practical work, online quizzes, an assignment for each lesson (that you receive feedback from your tutor from) and ends in an exam (which is optional, if would like to receive the formal award at the end), using our custom built Learning Management System - Login.Training.

Our courses are designed for adults to gain professional development and skills to further their careers and start businesses.

Our custom online learning portal allows you to conduct your learning online. There may be practical tasks that you can do offline. You have the option of downloading your course notes or print them to read later.

There is also the option to pay an additional fee for printed course notes and or USB (availability limited to location and deliverability).

Yes, if you don’t have access to the internet, you can receive the course as paper notes or on a USB stick for an additional fee. We can also make alternative arrangements for you to send your assignments to us.

We offer printed notes for an additional fee. Also, you can request your course notes on a USB stick for an additional fee.

Yes, your tutor is here to help you. Simply post any questions you have in your login.training portal or contact the office and we can pass on a message to your tutor.

We are more learning focussed, rather than assessment focussed. You have online quizzes to test your learning, written assignments and can complete an exam at the end of the course (if you want to receive your certificate). You will not receive a pass/ fail on your course work. If you need to add more details on your assignment, we will ask you to resubmit and direct you where you need to focus. If you need help, you can ask your tutor for advice in the student room.

Each module (short course) is completed with one exam.

Exams are optional, however you must sit an exam if you would like to receive a formal award. You will need to find someone who can supervise that you are sitting the exams under exams conditions. There is an additional cost of $60 incl. GST for each exam.
More information is here

There are practical components built into the course that have been designed to be achieved by anyone, anywhere. If you are unable to complete a task for any reason, you can ask your tutor for an alternative.

When you complete the course work and the exam and you will be able receive your course certificate- a Statement of Attainment. Otherwise, you can receive a Letter of Completion.

You can bundle the short courses to create your own customised learning bundle, Certificates or Advanced Certificates. More information is on this page.

Yes, our courses are built to be applicable for people living anywhere in any situation. We provide the fundamentals, and each student can apply their own unique flair for their own interests, region and circumstances with the one-on-one guidance of a tutor. There is also a bit of student directed research involved.

Employers value candidates with industry skills, knowledge, practical skills and formal learning. Our courses arm you with all of these things to help prepare you for a job or start your own business. The longer you study the more you will learn.

ACS has an arrangement with OAMPS (formerly AMP) who can arrange Professional Indemnity from Australian and New Zealand graduates across all disciplines. Ph: 1800 222 012 or email acs@oamps.com.au.


Who are ACS Distance Education?

ACS Distance Education have been educating people for over 40 years.

We are established and safe- we have been in education for over 40 years.
We are focused on developing innovative courses that are relevant to you now and what you will need to know in the future.
We are focused on helping you learn and make the most of your experience.
You can enrol at any time, you can work on your course when it suits you and at your own pace.
We are connected to many industry bodies and our staff participate in continuous improvement and learning activities to ensure that we are ahead of what learning is needed for the future.

Our courses are not accredited by the Australian Government. However many of our courses are recognised and held in high regard by many industry bodies.

Our courses are written by our staff, who all have many years experience and have qualifications in their speciality area. We have lots of academic staff who write and update our courses regularly.


How do I enrol my staff/ sponsored students?

Yes, you can do a request for a bulk enrolment and request an invoice on our Invoice Request Form

We can prepare an invoice, quote or proforma invoice. Simply complete your details on our Invoice Request form

We can arrange bulk discounts for your course enrolment, please get in touch with us to discuss your needs.

Yes, we have many students who are in locked facilities, such as prisons or hospitals. We can cater by also offering paper notes at an additional cost.


What if I have any more questions or need more information?

We can assist you to find the right course for your needs. Get in touch with us via email (admin@acs.edu.au) call on +61 7 5562 1088 or complete our course advice form.


What if I change my mind?

Please get in touch with studentservices@acs.edu.au if you would like to be removed from our mail list.

If you would like ACS Distance Education to delete your information at any time (whether you are a customer or a prospective customer), please contact our privacy officer and we will process this ( admin@acs.edu.au ).

If students require a reproduction of their certificate, an electronic copy can be provided at a cost of AUD$35 incl GST. Printed copies are not available.




Course Contributors

The following academics were involved in the development and/or updating of this course.

Jade Sciascia

Biologist, Business Coordinator, Government Environmental Dept, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Recruitment Consultant, Senior Supervisor in Youth Welfare, Horse Riding Instructor (part-completed) and Boarding Kennel Manager.
Jade has a B.Sc.Biol, Dip.Professional Education, Cert IV TESOL, Cert Food Hygiene.

Lyn Quirk

M.Prof.Ed.; Adv.Dip.Compl.Med (Naturopathy); Adv.Dip.Sports Therapy
Over 30 years as Health Club Manager, Fitness Professional, Teacher, Coach and Business manager in health, fitness and leisure industries. As business owner and former department head for TAFE, she brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role as a tutor for ACS.

Karen Lee

Nutritional Scientist, Dietician, Teacher and Author.
BSc. Hons. (Biological Sciences), Postgraduate Diploma Nutrition and Dietetics.
Registered dietitian in the UK, with over 15 years working in the NHS. Karen has undertaken a number of research projects and has lectured to undergraduate university students. Has co authored two books on nutrition and several other books in health sciences.





Tutors

Meet some of the tutors that guide the students through this course.

Melissa Leistra

Melissa has a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition from Deakin University and Bachelor's degree specialising in personal development, health and physical education. She has enjoyed teaching Hospitality in the areas of commercial cookery and food and beverage. Her experience includes 16 years teaching health and nutrition and working in the hospitality industry. Melissa enjoys living a self-sustainable lifestyle on a farm and raising all types of animals. She is an experienced vegetarian/vegan cook and loves to create wholesome food using her slow combustion wood stove.

Jade Sciascia

Former Business Coordinator, Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, Secondary School teacher (Biology); Administrator (Recruitment), Senior Supervisor (Youth Welfare). International Business Manager for IARC. Academic officer and writer with ACS for over 10 years, both in Australia and in the UK.

Yvonne Sharpe

Over 30 years of experience in horticulture, education and management, Yvonne has travelled widely within and beyond Europe, and has worked in many areas of horticulture from garden centres to horticultural therapy. She has served on industry committees and been actively involved with amateur garden clubs for decades.

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