Personal Health And Fitness – A Roadmap To Healthy Living
Health is a condition of mind and physical well being in which infirmity and disease are absent. Various definitions have been employed over the years for various applications. Some use terms as wide-ranging as “the condition of health” to describe a state other than sickness, with others qualifying as a state of mind more specific to a certain area or illness.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines well-being as having a high level of the ability to enjoy life to the fullest. It also implies that one’s survival and ability to function contribute to one’s well being. For the WHO, the definition of health is determined by five determinants, which include physical health, mental health, social health, environmental health and spiritual health. The determinants are then combined, in order to provide a comprehensive view of health. In addition to the WHO, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Joint Commission On Cancer (JCCO) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are the global authorities on issues related to the definition of health.
According to the NHS, mental health refers to an individual’s capacity to cope with challenges, including anxiety, depression, mood disorders and psychosis. On the other hand, the definition of mental illness refers to behaviors such as substance abuse, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia and panic attacks that have no other identifiable cause. The treatment of patients with mental illness includes therapy and medication.
As far as physical health is concerned, well-being is determined by the presence of six primary risk factors: weight and height, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, alcohol consumption, smoking, and occupational exposures to hazardous materials. Societal exposure to poor health and disease is defined as the presence of low levels of health conditions and diseases in the community or in the area where a person lives. Good health depends on having good nutrition; regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, consuming food rich in nutrients and avoiding toxins. Mental health helps us to become resilient and optimistic. Therefore, maintaining a healthy social network, maintaining positive relationships with family and friends, engaging in sport or recreational activities and maintaining a healthy mind and body are all factors that contribute towards good health.
Stress is one of the largest causes of poor health status. In fact, it has been determined that more than 150 million people in the US alone are affected by stress-related diseases. The proportion of women facing these kinds of problems is even higher. The main health conditions caused by stress are heart diseases, strokes, gastrointestinal disorders, insomnia, pain and gastrointestinal disorders. It has also been found out that these diseases are more common among people who are experiencing constant job and relationship stress.
We need to manage stress so that it does not hamper our personal health. It should be understood that we are exposed to many kinds of conditions everyday and it is only natural that we might experience some degree of physical discomfort. However, one should always try to find a way to deal with it in a positive manner. Remember, getting treatment for a condition does not mean you have to leave home and miss work. The important thing is to take a positive approach towards it. By managing your stress well, you will be able to overcome this uncomfortable state and lead a physically healthy life.
