Living in Health, Harmony, and Beauty: The Diné (Navajo) Hózhó Wellness Philosophy

Abstract

Hózhó is the complex wellness philosophy and belief system of the Diné (Navajo) people, comprised of principles that guide one's thoughts, actions, behaviors, and speech. The alignment of integrative nursing principles and the Hózhó Wellness Philosophy illustrates the power that integrative nursing offers as a meta-theoretical perspective that can transform our healthcare system so that it is inclusive and responsive to the needs of our varied populations. Integrative nursing offers the opportunity to re-introduce cultural wellness wisdom, such as Hózhó, as a means to improve whole-person/whole-systems wellbeing and resilience. Integrative nursing, through the acceptance and validation of indigenous health-sustaining wisdom, contributes to the delivery of effective, authentic, culturally tailored, whole-person/whole-system, patient-centered, relationship-based healthcare. Highlighting the Diné Hózhó philosophy re-introduces this philosophy to the Diné, other American Indian/Alaska Native nations, global indigenous cultures, and even nonindigenous people of the world as a means to promote and sustain global health and wellbeing.

American Indian and Alaska Native resilience along the life course and across generations: A literature review

“…Practices include language acquisition or maintenance, storytelling, sharing lived experiences, traditional parenting, participating in traditional and social activities, and developing intergenerational connections. These resources and strategies inform and guide the thought, speech, and behavior of individuals throughout their lives, regardless of exposure to adversity (Kahn-John & Koithan, 2015). In this way, the findings from this literature review equate AI/AN resilience with cultural continuity, health, and well-being.…”

Breathing clean air is Są’áh Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóó (SNBH): a culturally centred approach to understanding commercial smoke-free policy among the Diné (Navajo People)

“…Through the Maori research process, researchers are able to identify the appropriate systems and policies to improve healthcare services 10 16. In the USA, Diné (Navajo) researcher and nurse Michelle Kahn-John is advancing public health nursing's understanding of health and well-being through hózhó , an element of wellness within the Diné worldview that guides the restoration of balance and harmony for Diné people 8 17. Such Indigenous-centred approaches to public health research and practice maximise the cultural knowledge, practices and beliefs that are protective of the health and well-being of Indigenous people 4 8 17.…”

“…In the USA, Diné (Navajo) researcher and nurse Michelle Kahn-John is advancing public health nursing's understanding of health and well-being through hózhó , an element of wellness within the Diné worldview that guides the restoration of balance and harmony for Diné people 8 17. Such Indigenous-centred approaches to public health research and practice maximise the cultural knowledge, practices and beliefs that are protective of the health and well-being of Indigenous people 4 8 17. Here, we aim to describe the process for applying the Diné paradigm of Są’áh Naagháí Bik'eh Hózhóó (SNBH), a Diné belief system that guides harmonious living, and demonstrate how the application of SNBH enhances the understanding of Navajo principles for well-being and perspectives on smoke-free policy.…”

“…Diné health beliefs are deeply linked to the relationships they establish and maintain with others and the environment 8 26. SNBH is an abstract principle that provides teachings to protect against the imperfections of life and promote healthy balance 26 27.…”

Describing the end of life knowledge, beliefs, and preferences of Alaska Native and American Indian Peoples

“…Kahn-John & Koithan, 2015) Kahn-John (2010). examined this very complex concept using Walker and Avant's concept analysis method.…”