Basics of Good Health

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” – The World Health Organisation. 

The McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois IL defines wellness as - "A state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximising an individual's potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental well-being."

According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine – “One is in perfect health when the functionalities of the body, the processes of digestion, assimilation, metabolism, the entire physical body with all its tissues, components and processes, all the excretory functions are in perfect order with a pleasantly disposed mind, senses and spirit.”

The key to positive health is simple – we need to put consistent efforts into all areas of health. Key areas of health are

• Physical Health
• Emotional Health
• Environmental Health
• Financial Health
• Intellectual Health
• Occupational Health
• Social Health
• Spiritual Health

 

Key Areas of Health

---

Physical Health

Physical health is good when your body functions are working at peak performance. Factors that contribute to Physical health include regular exercise, active lifestyle, adequate sleep, sensible food habits, practicing safe sex, practicing good hygiene and avoiding use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs

Emotional Health

Emotional Health refers to your ability to do self-care, relax, reduce stress and develop inner strength. Your emotional health depends on your ability to 

• Enjoy life
• Bounce back after difficult experiences
• Achieve balance
• Adapt to adversity
• Feel safe and secure
• Achieve your potential
• Cultivate an optimistic attitude
• Believing in the best and working towards it
• Love and concern for those around

Environmental Health

Environmental health refers to our ability to lead a life that is respectful of our surroundings. Environmental health encourages us to live in harmony with the Earth by taking action to protect it and using natural resources judiciously. Factors that contribute to environmental health include minimising the use of paper and plastic, tree plantation, use of public transport as much as possible etc.

Financial Health

Financial health refers to how sound you are financially. Poor financial health is a common source of stress, anxiety and fear. Keeping track of expenses, making a budget and sticking to it and saving money are important skills to have in order to be financially comfortable

Intellectual Health

Intellectual health refers to how creative, logical and mentally stimulated you are. Factors that contribute to your intellectual health are academics, cultural involvement, community involvement and hobbies.

Occupational Health

As per WHO Occupational health deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace and has a strong focus on primary prevention of hazards. The health of the workers has several determinants, including risk factors at the workplace leading to cancers, accidents, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory diseases, hearing loss, circulatory diseases, stress related disorders and communicable diseases and others. Employment and working conditions in the formal or informal economy embrace other important determinants, including, working hours, salary, workplace policies concerning maternity leave, health promotion and protection provisions, etc.

Factors that contribute to Occupational health continuous learning at work place, your work matching with your interests and personal attributes, growth at work, recognition, work culture, compensation, coaching inputs, scope for self-development, fair treatment etc.

Social Health

Social well-being can be defined as our ability to effectively interact with people around us and to create a support system that includes family and friends (Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk and Susan Neale).

You are socially healthy when you have healthy, nurturing and supportive relationships around you. You enjoy good credibility with people around you. Social health is developed by learning the art of making the right contact with people around us. Social health depends on what type of people you spend your time with. Surround yourself with energetic, ambitious and happy people who help you realize your full potential

Spiritual Health

Spiritual Health helps us to be in tune with our spiritual selves. Spiritual health is achieved by grounding oneself in the core of peace within. Spiritual health can be improved by regular self-assessment, meditation and exercising altruism. Spiritual health helps us to develop clarity and composure to face the ups and downs of life with equanimity