What Is Health and How Does It Affect You?

Health is defined as the state of being physically, psychologically and socially well. It can be affected by many different elements, including their environment, social interactions and support systems, amount of physical activity they participate in as well as how much money they have available for care.

The World Health Organization defines health as “complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not solely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Aiming to enhance people’s health should be at the core of public health professionals’ goals.

Table of Contents

Physical

Physical health depends on many factors, including proper nutrition and regular exercise. Sleep quality also plays an essential part, along with living a lifestyle which reduces disease risks.

Healthy lifestyle and physical activity can help individuals feel their best, maintain a healthy weight, and have plenty of energy for work and play. Furthermore, it may reduce the risk of serious chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease.

To reap maximum benefit from exercise, aim to engage in moderate physical activity at least 30 minutes each day–even if that means breaking it into shorter increments such as 10 minute sessions if needed. To stay on top of it all and maximize results from physical activity, set an exercise goal almost every day that can fit within your lifestyle and personal interests. That doesn’t have to mean hitting the gym or training for marathons! Just ensure at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (breakable into 10-minute chunks as necessary).

Physical activity has long been recognized for its beneficial health effects – from decreasing cancer risks and stroke risks, heart disease risk factors, type 2 diabetes risk factors, osteoporosis risk factors and obesity risks to improving mental wellbeing and quality of life. Yet in order for this initiative to work successfully it needs support across countries and communities so more opportunities for movement exist.

Mental

Mental health refers to your emotional wellbeing, relationships and overall outlook on life. It’s affected by many different factors – from genetics and family history to environment and lifestyle choices – all which play an integral part.

1 out of every 5 individuals at any one time suffers from some sort of mental health disorder, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia or psychosis.

Treatment is available. Medication may help alleviate symptoms and help those living with mental illnesses restore social contact and return to a more normal existence.

Psychological therapy can also assist those living with mental illnesses in better understanding their feelings and thoughts, as well as providing them with strategies for coping more effectively with them. Psychological therapies are typically conducted by psychiatrists, psychologists or other professionals and combined with medication or support services to facilitate recovery.

Social

Healthy living not only benefits your physical wellbeing, but it can also enhance social health. A strong social network allows us to feel connected to others and can even improve emotional well-being.

An established social network can be invaluable when facing challenging times; offering support, advice, and assistance during tough periods of your life. Furthermore, having such an network in place may help alleviate depression, stress, and anxiety.

Studies show that individuals who enjoy strong social networks live longer and experience improved health, especially during times of emotional or mental strain. It can enhance endocrine system function, immune function and cardiovascular performance.

Healthcare providers typically focus on preventing disease; however, it is also essential for them to consider the social determinants of health – those factors which influence people’s lives such as income, education, employment and cultural factors that impact on health outcomes.

Spiritual

Spiritual health refers to our ability to connect with a higher power or purpose in life through prayer, meditation, journaling or other practices that bring clarity and peace of mind.

Prioritizing spiritual health can help ensure all aspects of your health are covered, helping you deal with challenges more easily and reducing stress and anxiety, both of which have positive impacts on physical wellness.

Our study explored the relationship between spirituality and mental and social health among university students whose studies focused on mind/spirit. Our results indicated a positive association between indicators of spirituality and psychological well-being among this university population.