Health is a condition of well-being where infirmity and illness are absent. Different definitions have been employed over the years for various purposes. Today, when it comes to defining what constitutes health, there are 5 key areas that must all be examined. These are: physical health, mental health, emotional health, social health and ecological health.
In order to achieve or maintain good health, the individual must first realize and accept that he or she has good health. When this is realized, the individual can begin to focus on the areas of physical well-being. This includes but is not limited to: good circulation and muscle tone, adequate breathing capacity and perspiration, and strong bones. Mental health, on the other hand, involves thinking processes, perception, memory, emotional health, learning and growth, spiritual well-being, and physiological health.
In addition to maintaining a balance between physical and mental health, individuals must also take care to prevent or minimize the development of any of these two conditions. Prevention is better than cure. This principle is applied not only in the prevention of physical illness but also in the prevention of mental illnesses. People must therefore learn to become happy, productive members of society by living their lives in a healthy and productive manner. A healthy lifestyle entails a positive concept focusing on social well-being.
Positive regard for one’s physical health must extend to the mental health. It is not enough to have a good body, provided the person’s mentality is healthy, as well. Humans need to experience happiness and positive thoughts in order to attain mental health. Positive thinking facilitates the process of exploring and discovering one’s physical health. This will then contribute to one’s mental health.
Overall health is attained through a combination of healthy habits, including but not limited to healthy eating, a regular sleep schedule, exercise, daily relaxation and social interaction. Healthful behaviors also include the practice of good hygiene, regular exercise, and participation in recreational activities. A healthy lifestyle is essential to the overall wellness of the body and mind.
Stress can cause many problems for health status and mental state, including but not limited to heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic physical disorders. When stress is managed effectively, it can promote a healthier lifestyle. It has been shown that stress management programs to help people gain control over their emotions and their physical health and well-being. These programs reduce the occurrence and the intensity of depression, increase the capacity of victims of stress-related diseases, enhance the abilities of victims to cope with stress and to modify their mental states, improve self-esteem, decrease the risk of developing diseases such as cancer, and improve the performance of cognitive tasks.