Good health is essential for a happy and fulfilling life. It’s not just something that affects your body, it also has an effect on how you feel in your mind and in your heart. But what are the keys to good health? What factors do you need to focus on? Here’s a detailed list of three keys to good health with simple summaries that make choosing the right key easier.
Physical health
Physical health is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt, self-manage and self-heal. It is a wide concept that takes into account all aspects of health, including mental, social and spiritual aspects. Physical health can be assessed by looking at an individual’s physical body measurements such as height, weight and body mass index (BMI).
Physical exercise is defined as any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness. It is performed to improve muscle strength, endurance and cardiorespiratory (heart) fitness, as well as flexibility. Regular exercise improves cardiovascular health, strengthening the heart and lungs by increasing oxygen uptake needed during exercise while reducing blood lactate concentration; it also helps prevent obesity by increasing metabolism while reducing total body fat.[1] Physical exercise can also provide some other important health benefits; for instance it can improve posture and reduce the risk of injury from falls.[2] Exercise has been shown to increase life expectancy by as much as five years,[3][4][5] independently of diet.[6]
Mental health
Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Mental health is an ongoing process of actively managing thoughts, feelings and behaviours to create a positive and fulfilling life. The term ‘mental illness’ describes a range of diagnosable conditions that have substantial psychological symptoms.
Mental health problems are common in children and adolescents, with up to 5% of children aged 1–17 years experiencing a serious mental illness at any given time.[1] These disorders include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders (including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), schizophrenia spectrum disorders, eating disorders and substance use disorders.[2]
Early intervention for mental health problems can improve long-term outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Early mental health interventions should be delivered as part of standard primary care services.
Mental Health: Introduction
Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” This definition highlights not only the importance of avoiding mental illness, but also the importance of building resilience and coping mechanisms for stress management. The WHO recognizes that “mental health” is an ambiguous concept that can be interpreted differently by different people at any given time.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mental illnesses are disorders that are characterized by alterations in thinking, moods (such as depression), and/or behaviors that lead to distress or impairment.[1] Mental illnesses are common; affecting more than 25% of adults in any 12-month period.[2] Mental illnesses are treatable conditions[3], but due to inadequate access
Spirituality
Spirituality is a term that can be defined in numerous ways. Defining spirituality through personal experiences and beliefs is a common approach to spiritual work. Spirituality can be described as a search for meaning and purpose in life, or simply as a belief in the existence of an intangible or transcendent aspect of reality.
Spirituality has been defined by modern psychology as “the quest for wholeness and fulfillment through experiencing God, nature, truth and beauty.” It may also include an individual’s understanding of their place in it, their relationship with others, the place (or lack thereof) of humans in nature or their spiritual growth.
Spiritual health can be defined as “the presence of a positive attitude toward life, love and spirituality.” It is associated with happiness and self-actualization. It also refers to having a strong connection to something greater than oneself; this connection could be through religion or spirituality but could also be through love of another person, nature or just about anything else that inspires awe within us and makes us feel whole again after a stressful day.[1]
The health of your body, mind and spirit are all connected.
The health of your body, mind and spirit are all connected.
The connection between the mind and body is one of the most studied subjects in medicine today. The mind-body connection is being explored by scientists who study how stress affects our health. It’s also being studied by doctors who are looking for new ways to treat chronic pain without medications.
The mind-body connection has been recognized for thousands of years. Many different cultures have developed healing practices based on this connection. In some cases, these practices have been used for centuries with great success.
How does the mind affect physical health?
Many studies show that people who feel happy and optimistic tend to be healthier than those who feel depressed or anxious. Those who are optimistic are also less likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and diabetes than those who are pessimistic. Optimists are more likely to exercise regularly, eat well and get enough sleep than pessimists or those who don’t feel hopeful about their future or life circumstances.
Studies show that when people laugh often or smile their immune systems work better because they produce more antibodies against invading germs in their bodies and bloodstreams. Other studies show that laughter can help lower blood pressure in both healthy people and those with high blood.
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