What does it mean to be healthy?
When we talk about health, most people view it from a biomedical perspective. Simply put, we only answer this question with whether our bodies are in a state of normal functioning or not. However, for one to say that they are healthy, their social, mental, and physical state is without ailment or infirmity. This, therefore, begs the question, what does it mean to be truly healthy?
Would you claim to be healthy if just one of the mentioned states was not? For instance, if my physical state was without disease but my mental state was unstable, would I claim to be healthy? Most unhealthy people are not aware of their unhealthiness, be it physical, mental, or social.
Among the key factors that have been found to influence our health status include; income, literacy, working conditions, genetics, and individual choices, amongst many other factors.
Other than the growth of medical science, maintaining proper health depends on our effort. We have to take a personal initiative to be and stay healthy. Being healthy is a continuous process, so just as medical science keeps evolving, our habits also keep improving.
Physical health
To be physically healthy is having proper functioning of all your body organs, having a vital balance between your body organs and the surrounding.
So, what does it mean to be physically healthy and fit? This goes a long way, from your general health to how you look and how you feel. Your body can partake in social activities, your day-to-day chores and be able to resist illness.
It most certainly goes beyond having a flat tummy, having abs, or lifting weights at the gym. Your body needs to have a proper body composition in terms of fat, bone, and muscle. Fitness trainers and doctors can help in getting one tested to know your actual body composition.
Among other factors to check on include our cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance. This refers to how long we can engage in simple activities like running, walking, or taking the stairs before getting exhausted.
Our muscular strength and endurance refer to the ability of our muscles to engage in a consistent and repetitive act before getting tired. How fast your muscle, lungs, and your body in general recover from exhaustion is also key in finding out whether we are physically healthy or not.
Should you have a problem with your body composition, cardiorespiratory/muscle endurance, or muscle strength, it’s advisable to see a fitness trainer. A good fitness trainer will take you through cardiovascular workouts, balance, and stretching.
Cardiovascular workouts are good for the heart and blood circulation. However, we also need to take a personal initiative and change a few choices in conducting ourselves.
For instance, you can choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator once in a while, take evening walks or morning runs, use a bicycle often, and generally engage in activities that keep your muscles/ body active.
Another measure to ensure we stay physically healthy is ensuring we constantly eat right. Eating right gives you the energy and nutrients your body needs. The nutrients to prevent diet-related illness, keep healthy, strong, and have the energy to keep you active throughout the day.
Aside from eating right, we also need to take enough water. Water is essential in staying physically healthy. Among the benefits of drinking water include normalizing blood pressure, cushioning joints, stabilizing the heartbeat, protecting organ tissues, and regulating body temperature.
If you need help keeping your body hydrated, consider scheduling an IV hydration in Las Vegas. Vitamin formulas can help boost energy and aid in post-workout healing and recovery. Hydrating fluids and vitamins are delivered directly to the bloodstream, for maximum absorption and benefit.
Also, make a habit of having regular health check-ups. This helps detect life-threatening health conditions early, increases the chances of cure, and limits the risk of complications.
Mental health
Mental health refers to our intellectual, emotional, or behavioral well-being. Mental health touches on how we think, how we feel, and how we relate to people or situations around us.
This raises the question, what does it mean to be mentally healthy? Most people will assume an absence of mental disorders, for instance, bipolar, means they are mentally healthy.
However, to properly answer this question, we need to check on these factors; how do we respond to stress, how do we relate to people? Are we capable of understanding and empathizing with people’s emotions? Are we able to make friends, and if we are, are we able to keep them? Put, not every health issue is diagnosable.
So how do I know if I am mentally healthy?
Most people tend to ignore their mental health status and often keep track of their physical. What we forget is just how important our mental health is to our physical. Most people suffer from depression and other related mental conditions but are afraid to seek help.
to know if we are mentally healthy, then we have to check on the following aspects;
- Our ability to bounce back from traumatizing or stressful events/situations. Among the causes of depression are abuse and stress from grief/loss. It takes a healthy mind to recover fully and bounce back from such a state.
- Maintaining good relationships. This refers to the ability to empathize with others. You’re capable of considering other people’s feelings and how your actions emotionally affect them. We cannot just make friends but also keep them. Our minds have to be mentally stable to accept that the world does not revolve around us.
- Ability and willingness to learn. Negative mindsets often lead to hesitation or fear of rejection/humiliation.
- Our expectations. A person with a sound mind appreciates what comes their way.
How to stay mentally healthy
Build constructive relationships with people that will build and support you. Be there for your friends and family without expecting anything in return. Please treat them with the same energy and respect that you expect from them.
Ask for help when in need and lend it when it is needed from you. We all go through puddles in life and need help.
Try doing something fun every day. Either alone, with friends, or with family. Do something that lights up your spirits.
Take care of yourself by having a good meal, buying yourself some nice clothes that make you feel attractive, staying physically healthy, and most importantly, having a good rest. Enough sleep helps restore both your body and mind.
Learn to deal with stress. Expressing anger while still small is better than letting it build till we can no longer take it. It is important to find out what causes you stress and deal with it.
Try taking things a step at a time, accepting things as they are, and challenging yourself to be better than yesterday.
It is also trivial that we stop comparing ourselves with others. Learn to be happy for others and celebrate their progress without degrading your own.
Most importantly, seek professional help. Counseling and therapy provide professional guidance from unwanted feelings. You get a chance to go through what went wrong, why it did, and how to do better next time.
Emotional health
Emotional health refers to the ability to control our thoughts, ideas, feelings, and behaviors. Therefore, Juli Fraga https://www.drjulifraga.com/, a licensed psychologist, terms it as being in tune with our emotions, vulnerability, and authenticity.
It is not the absence of sadness or a negative situation; it can maintain a positive outlook despite life’s challenges. Emotionally healthy people let themselves experience emotions acknowledging that they are part of being human without letting these emotions get the best of them.
To stay emotionally healthy, we need to stay optimistic despite the challenges, equip ourselves with skills to help us handle stress and setbacks; we need to accept, learn from our mistakes, and move on.
It would help if you also learned to appreciate yourself. Avoid negative self-talk, set goals, and celebrate your achievements, however small. Find a purpose in your life, a cause of the sort that you feel passionate about.
Bottom line
Emotional, mental, and physical health is a personal responsibility. You have to be willing to put in the work to ensure that your mind, body, and soul are constantly at peace from within and surrounding. Make it a habit of loving yourself enough to take of you and what/who surrounds you.
You need to love yourself enough to take the personal initiative of taking care of yourself and be open to seeking professional help when you need it.
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