Health is such an important component in our lives as it defines everything we are, what we are able to do, how we act and react, in other words how we live. It is a subject that some of us just take for granted, that is- until we lack it. Our body is such a powerful “machine” that it has a way of showing us when there is a deficiency or when there is an excess of something. Health can mean so many different things to different people, especially nowadays with societal standards, it can get a little confusing. So, what is health? Well, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1] “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In other words, being a healthy individual does not only mean that you are not ill, it also means that you are well-balanced, or have a healthy balance between your physical, mental and social health.
We can start by analyzing each of the three areas mentioned above:
Mental Health: In this category, we can include the emotional and psychological aspects of a person. How the person is able to cope with life in general, including how you are able to deal with stressors like work, home, school, etc. Mental health affects how we feel and how we act. As opposed to physical health with mental health it is sometimes hard for individuals to recognize an issue.
Physical Health: Physical health is related to the well-being of the whole body. This is the proper functioning of all the systems involved in the body, anything that has to do with the organs, bones, etc.
Social Health: this component has to do with your ability to form relationships with other individuals, how well you are able to interact and form healthy and meaningful relationships.
So, what does it take to achieve that balance? What can you do to begin working on your health in all areas?
In the mental aspect, you can begin by working on techniques that can help you achieve the goals you are aiming for. Some suggested techniques are meditation, yoga (which could help target both your mental and physical health), therapy, etc., depending on your needs.
In the physical aspect, it is recommended to begin looking at your eating habits and try to eat well-balanced meals. It is also recommended to get the hours of sleep your body requires, as well as rest. Another thing you can do about physical health is finding a workout routine that you enjoy and fits your lifestyle and needs. Also visiting your doctor routinely, and varies by age, as we age those visits have to happen more often.
For the social aspect, it is mostly trying to build good relationships that are healthy, supportive, and help you grow.
All three of the areas are related, therefore they affect one another. When you are ill, and your physical health deteriorates, it hinders your ability to create friendships or meaningful relationships, consequently affecting your mental health. Something similar happens when you focus on your physical well-being and start an exercise routine, this not only modifies your physical health, it also positively affects your mental health, when you are happier and more satisfied, you open your mind up to be more receptive and friendly, which affects your social health. Hence the effects are seen in all three. In order to be a healthy individual, you must strive to create a healthy balance between the three.
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