Health has probably been a long-lost forgotten topic and subject unclear and vague in people’s minds; if you ask me, health is more prior than everything that could possibly mean the world to anyone. Health is a very big and wide scope but to break it down, I want to talk about health in living and health in terms of diseases and chronic illness that affect humans and why it is important to take care of one’s health.
The topics in question are health and wellness; what is health and what is wellness, and how do these two correspond, do they coexist together? and what could be the difference between health and wellness? These are probably all the questions you have when health and wellness are placed in one statement gauging their importance in human existence.
Definitions of health and wellness: Health is the state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease, or infirmity. Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.
According to the WHO, wellness is "the optimal state of health for individuals and groups". It's also described as "a positive approach to living"
Wellness is important for preventing and managing chronic illnesses, reducing stress and anxiety, improving cognitive function, and increasing productivity. Wellness also promotes healthy relationships, enhances self-awareness, and encourages personal growth and development. Health and wellness are important for a number of reasons, including;
Physical well-being
Health and wellness can improve physical well-being and reduce the risk of disease. Physical well-being is a state of being that involves practicing self-care for your body's needs. This includes; physical activity, balanced nutrition, getting enough sleep, avoiding harmful behaviors, learning about and identifying symptoms of disease, getting regular medical checkups, and protecting yourself from injuries and harm.
Physical well-being is important because it enables everything else. Research has shown that our physical well-being has an impact on conditions such as anxiety, depression and on our stress tolerance and cognitive agility.
Mental well-being
Mental wellbeing is a combination of how we feel and how we function. It is a state of thriving and flourishing in various areas of life, despite ups and downs. It's the knowledge that we are separate from our problems and the belief that we can handle those problems. Health and wellness can enhance mental well-being and reduce stress.
Mental health can be broken down into three major components: cognitive health, emotional health, and behavioral health. Each of these components interacts with and influences the others, and they are all imperative to overall well-being.
What Mental Well-Being Means?
- Believing that your life has meaning
- Continued self-development and growth
- Good-quality social connections
- Believing that you can overcome hurdles
- Having a positive self-concept
- Having a sense of purpose
How Can You Improve Your Mental Wellbeing?
- Connect with others
- Manage stress
- Exercise regularly
- Journaling
- Be physically active
- Learn new skills
- Give to others
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
- Eat well
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Get enough sleep
Productivity
Health and wellness can boost productivity and performance. Productivity is a measure of economic performance that compares the amount of goods and services produced with the measure of inputs used to produce them. Researchers say that when we do things that align with our values and our sense of our best self, we're more satisfied with life.
Still under health and wellness boosting productivity; when employees are productive, they usually keep up with their workload. This creates less stress and more efficiency, leading to a healthier and stress-free work-life balance. More to this; getting things done, even small and relatively meaningless tasks, can help distract someone from the negative emotions and lack of interest that are fundamental factors in depression.
Quality of life
Health and wellness can increase quality of life and enjoyment. Quality of life (QoL) is a personalized evaluation of an individual's well-being, including their physical, emotional, and social life. It can also refer to the living conditions of an individual.
In relation to health and wellness; here we look to Health-related quality of life (HRQL) focusing on how health affects a person's ability to live a fulfilling life. HRQL is a broad concept that includes physical, psychological, social functioning, and well-being. It includes both positive and negative aspects.
What are some the factors that Constitute a Life Well-Lived (Quality of Life)?
- Wealth
- Environment
- Education
- Employment
- Physical and mental health
- Social belonging
- Safety, security, and freedom
- Recreation and leisure time
- Religious beliefs
Some say that wellness, quality of life, and well-being are positive, subjective states that are the opposite of illness. Well-being is a comprehensive approach to health that includes the presence of positive emotions, absence of negative emotions, and satisfaction with life.
Chronic Diseases
According to the CDC (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), chronic diseases are conditions that last a year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit daily activities. The World Health Organization (WHO) describe chronic diseases as long-term conditions that are generally slow to progress and are not passed from person to person.
Diseases referred to as chronic include both non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer, and depression, and communicable diseases, such as AIDS.
Health and wellness can prevent chronic diseases and promote longevity but how? by making healthy behaviors part of your daily life, you can prevent conditions such as high blood pressure or obesity, which raise your risk of developing the most common and serious chronic diseases. Learn more about healthy actions you or your loved ones can take.
According to the CDC, these habits can help prevent chronic diseases:
- Eating healthy
- Getting regular physical activity
- Avoiding drinking too much alcohol
- Getting screened
- Taking care of your teeth
- Getting enough sleep
NOTE
Your medical provider can give guidance on what is best for your situation. This information does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis.
Emotional wellness
Emotional health is an important part of wellness. Emotionally healthy people are in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. They can cope with life's challenges and can keep problems in perspective and bounce back from setbacks.
In Conclusion;
The importance of putting first-forward health and wellness; the benefits are remarkably far reaching. Good physical, mental and emotional self-care opens up human potential, increases flexibility, and enables people to live a more joyful and fulfilling life. Healthy people build strong communities and economies by increasing productivity while lowering healthcare costs.
Embracing health is our responsibility and we owe it ourselves and others. The lifestyle decisions we make do not affect just our lifespan, but also the quality and vibrancy of our years. Small steps toward wellness can over time result into vastly improved health outcomes.
The benefits of health and wellness overflow into richer life experiences, deeper connections, and realizing one’s purpose.
While longevity has value, a life filled with energy is the deepest desire everyone dreams of. By taking responsibility for our wellbeing, we can transform our lives, our communities and the world to a better health-conscious paradise.