Principle 1 of integrative nursing notes that human beings are whole systems inseparable from their environments. People are dynamic, unique, and complex, and as such cannot be reduced to diagnoses, symptoms, and deviations from norms. Caring for the whole person requires attentiveness to the body, mind, and spirit, which is why it is so important that care be individualized. It's also important to recognize that the environment around us impacts us; everything is interconnected. For our patients, the environment includes all that surrounds the person, including the family and the built environment, and you, the nurse, are an integral part of the environment. The environment encompasses both the physical and the metaphysical environment, and as such, the attitudes, actions, and body language of the nurse affects the patient as well. If this is the inherent nature of human beings, how does this impact on nursing care? What should we be doing specifically to address the dynamic, unique, and complex nature of people? Behavioral indicators which support the principle that people are whole systems inseparable from their environments include: assessing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs of patients, collaborating with the patient and the family to develop a plan of care that reflects needs, strengths, and preferences, promoting independence and offering choices, coordinating care with team members, monitoring for health inequities, and evaluating the need for interpreter services. It is especially important to do things such as: decluttering the space around the patient, maintaining the integrity of the environment by paying attention to noise, smells, temperature, and the need for privacy, keeping the lights low at night, and in settings where patients have a long length of stay, it may be important to personalize the environment where possible. As we move forward in our discussion of the principles of integrative nursing, remember that behavioral indicators will vary across clinical settings. The examples in this course are intended to be used as a springboard for developing behavioral indicators that are relevant to your setting. Now that you have a greater understanding of Principle 1 and its behavioral indicators, let's explore some examples of how this is practiced in a real clinical setting.