Why is Health Important?
And What is it?
Abstract
Health is defined by the english oxford dictionary as soundness of body, that condition in which its functions are duly and efficiently discharged. From the WHO’s definition, it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In my research, I found that health was and what it was useful for, and found that it was not necessarily a goal, but a resource for everyday life. There are 6 types of health: Physical, mental, spiritual, social, emotional, and environmental health.
Why is Physical Health Important?
Physical inactivity is in the top 5 risk factors for life loss causing more than 3 million deaths annually. Routine, mild activity can decrease risk of disease, mental as well as physical. Being in shape is helpful for being easy on the eyes, feeling good about oneself, and living longer. When inactive, bodies tend to be more susceptible to noncontagious diseases, such as obesity, heart diseases, diabetes, and cancers.
Along with physical inactivity, poor nutrition and harmful drugs, such as tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, etc. can lead to the same fatal, degenerative disorders. It has many of the same effects on the body as physical health, and it is as critical to eat healthy as it is to be active.
Mental Health
Mental health is defined by the WHO 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 his or her community. It is similar to physical health, in the sense that if the mind is not exercised, it becomes unfit. Without having some sort of challenge or problem to solve, the mind becomes unchallenged, and thus, unhappy. Poor nutrition can also cause poor mental health. Harmful drugs, as stated before, can also harm the mind.
Spiritual Health
Having compassion, the capacity for love and forgiveness, altruism, joy, and fulfillment help one enjoy his or her spiritual health. Spiritual health is extremely important, not necessarily religious, just a set of morals that is personally agreed on, which gives one self meaning and something to identify themselves by and goals to achieve. Living by this creates a stronger sense of self, and makes one happier, and gives strength to persevere when challenges arise.
Social Health
Social health is important in keeping people healthy, as well as productive. The ways to stay healthy socially are through having relationships where both people are mutually respected, typically people need somewhere between 5-9 relationships, outside familial relationships. To be able to have these relationships, and feel positive about them, one must have an acceptance for him or herself. Talking about personal problems with good friends is an important way to stay mentally and socially healthy. Developing relationships with people that share passions is a good way to make friends.
Emotional Health
Emotional health is the ability to enjoy life and to bounce back from adversity. Being emotionally healthy takes good rest, good nutrition, exercise, staying away from the aforesaid drugs, and getting sunlight. In order to be healthy, one must vent emotions, as well as turn them positive. Bottling up emotions makes them come out in a flow of anger, hatred, and keeps the person from being content.
Environmental Health
Being in negative situations can make an individual bitter and take on the attitude of the people surrounding him or her. This aspect of health is imperative to complete happiness and healthiness. The amount of positivity and negativity in an atmosphere affects everyone in it, and the perspective is reciprocated to everyone else the person encounters.