HEALTH is a concept with many different interpretations. The modern understanding was established when the World Health Organization included in its constitution, at its establishment in 1948, the definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease”. Unhealthy behaviors are responsible for many chronic diseases, which make up the bulk of healthcare costs and rob people of healthy years. Changing these habits can significantly improve your health and quality of life.
Physical
Physical health consists of the body’s ability to operate and thrive. It includes the ability to move, the energy you get from food and the strength of your muscles. It also includes healthy habits such as regular exercise, sleep and an overall active lifestyle. This category of wellness is often overlooked by teachers, but it’s a critical component to our students’ well-being. By focusing on this area of wellness, we can help them develop an active and positive relationship with their bodies, allowing them to recognize and understand that they are a strong and capable unit of self.
Traditionally, physical health has been understood as a person’s state of being free from illness and injury. However, we are now beginning to realize that it is not just the absence of disease but a person’s ability to thrive in their body as a whole. To measure this, we use the OECD’s PHIN (Pulmonary Health Indicator) which measures quality of life and functioning in a number of areas, such as respiratory health and mobility. PHIN is measured on a scale from 1 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater functioning.
Using a GMM IV estimator, we instrument physical health with a dummy for
physical activity level, a dummy for having long term health conditions that
limit activities and the length of shock events to the PHIN, plus a squared
term of time since those shocks (to capture the negative impact on PHIN that
flattens out and then recovers). All of these variables passed relevance,
exclusion, endogeneity and covariance tests so they are valid instruments.
Mental
Mental health refers to a person’s emotional and psychological well-being.
It influences how people perceive and respond to stressors, interact with
others and make choices. Mental health is a vital component of overall health
and well-being and can impact all other areas of life.
People with severe or chronic mental illness are at an increased risk of poor physical health, including cardiovascular disorders and Type II diabetes. Moreover, these conditions are also associated with an increased risk of suicide and substance abuse. In addition, mental health problems may reduce a person’s energy and motivation to adopt healthy behaviours or to participate in activities that promote well-being. This can lead to eating unhealthy foods, sleeping poorly and smoking. Untreated mental illness is costly for individuals, families and societies. It can result in disability, unemployment, inappropriate incarceration and death.
Fortunately, mental illnesses are treatable. With the right support, most people recover from their symptoms and experience a better quality of life. The WHO defines peak mental health as “much more than the absence of mental disorders.” It is the ability to manage existing conditions and stressors while maintaining ongoing wellness and happiness.
Everyone experiences mental health issues from time to time, and these are
sometimes referred to as mood disorders or mental illness. A mood disorder is
not a sign of weakness, but rather the opposite — it’s a medical condition that
can negatively affect your quality of life and make it difficult to function at
work, school or home. There are many factors that can contribute to the
development of a mood disorder, such as genetics, environmental conditions,
stressful life events and biochemical processes and circuits in the brain.
Social
When you think of health, the first thing that comes to mind may be your physical well-being — things like a strong body and good sleep. But you might not realize that your social and emotional health also play a role in how healthy you are. Social health is an emerging concept that focuses on connection and community. It’s different from mental health, which relates to your thoughts and feelings. And it’s different from the broader notion of social determinants of health, which refers to non-medical, societal factors that influence well-being.
Research shows that people with more social connection and support tend to live longer, recover faster from illness, and have lower rates of mental health problems. They have a stronger immune system, and are better able to cope with stress. They have a healthier endocrine system and cardiovascular functioning, and a greater sense of meaning and purpose in their lives. In more formal terms, social health is defined as “social adjustment based on fulfillment of normal social expectations,” according to the World Health Organization. It is also defined in terms of the quality and quantity of relationships you have, as well as your ability to engage with and adapt to different social situations.
While some people struggle with social health, there are many ways you can
work on it. For example, regular participation in activities with others is a
good way to build social connections. But don’t confuse social health with the
number of friends you have. You can be an introvert with one or two fulfilling
friendships and feel just as connected to your community as a social butterfly.
You can also improve your social health by making an effort to connect with
loved ones, and focusing on relationships that are meaningful and supportive.
Spiritual
Spiritual health is one of the dimensions that comprise human well-being. This dimension consists of the person’s connection to something greater than themselves, such as a higher power or grander sense of purpose. Having a strong spiritual life can help you find meaning in difficult times and cope with challenges, such as a chronic illness or other health setbacks. Although it has been less studied than the other dimensions of health, research shows that spiritual health can positively influence a person’s experience with serious illness and their quality of life. For example, the study by Allahbakhshian Farsani et al. (4) found that patients with multiple sclerosis reported having better quality of life during their illness when they had a spiritual life than when they did not.
It has also been shown that people with spiritual wellness are better equipped to regulate their emotions and can have a more positive outlook on life. In addition, spiritual health is associated with a stronger connection to others and a more active involvement in their community. People who are more in touch with their spirituality tend to be healthier and live longer. This is because they are more likely to follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and use preventive medical services. They are also more likely to avoid substance abuse and to practice good hygiene.
Some people who are religious or have a strong spirituality may believe that
their mental or physical health problems are caused by God as punishment for
their sins. Therapists can help them explore their feelings and thoughts about
this without interfering with their religious beliefs. This can be a
particularly important step for those who have experienced trauma from a
religious or spiritual environment, such as childhood abuse from a church
leader or exclusion based on their sexual orientation.
Emotional
Emotional health focuses on fostering resilience, self-awareness, and contentment. It also includes developing healthy coping skills and supporting people with mental health issues. This doesn’t mean that someone who has emotional wellness will never experience a low mood or that they won’t have days when they feel sad or frustrated. However, it means that when a person is emotionally healthy they will have the tools and resources to move past those emotions quickly and efficiently.
In addition, when a person has good emotional health they are more likely to be resilient to stress and have less physical illness as a result of their overall lifestyle habits. This may include avoiding tobacco and alcohol and being active, eating well, getting enough sleep, and having supportive relationships. Having healthy emotions can also lead to better self-esteem, which is another important part of emotional wellness. A healthy self-esteem can help us to be more open and honest with others, which is key in building strong connections and relationships.
A good way to begin thinking about your emotional health is by being curious about your own mind and the emotions you are feeling. Ask yourself, “Why do I feel this way?” or, “What is causing me to react in this way?” If you find it difficult to manage your emotions on your own, talking with a professional can be beneficial. There are many ways that a therapist can support you in working through your feelings and developing healthy coping mechanisms to improve your emotional health. They can also teach you how to practice mindfulness and gratitude so that you are more aware of what is happening in your life.
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