Health is a condition where physical, emotional and social impairment are completely absent. It entails the absence of physical illness, pain, death and infirmity. A number of definitions have also been used over the years for various purposes. In the modern world we often use the word ‘health’ to refer to something that everyone experiences in common, regardless of culture or economic class.
Health can be said to be anything that enhances and contributes to the well being of an individual. For instance, physical health relates to being healthy emotionally and socially. Emotional health consists of the ability to cope with stress in one’s life and being happy with one’s own self, including one’s physical appearance. Mental health on the other hand, pertains to the capacity to deal effectively with both positive and negative stress. As such, it includes aspects like self-confidence, coping skills, assertiveness, motivation, assertive communication, stress management, sleep and eating habits, and positive mental states.
There are many ways to measure and gauge the well being of a person. These range from the traditional measurement of height, weight, and the like, to newer methods such as the quiz, numerical reasoning test, and the battery of psychological tests. In addition, there are new insights into how the mind functions that provide new approaches to mental health treatment and research.
The most popular question that arises in the minds of many people is that of whether mental health and physical health are mutually exclusive or dependent. While it is true that one cannot be without the other, it would be a mistake to say that there is no link between the two. Both are intertwined. When a person is healthy physically, then they are mentally healthy as well. This is because they are free from ill health, stress, and the like, and are able to enjoy a good balance of the mind, body, and spirit.
Health and illness are closely linked because both are related to the quality of life. When a person’s overall health is poor, then their physical illness is likely to be accompanied by mental illness. A depressed person may find themselves taking their medication more often because they are feeling so bad. This means that, when they do not take their medication, their depression will get worse and may even come out of control. Therefore, it is important to consider making healthier lifestyle choices when looking at getting better overall health.
Overall well-being has a lot to do with the quality of relationships that we have with others. Healthy relationships allow us to be happy and successful. People who have good relationships tend to be happier with their lifestyle choices and are less stressed. People with good mental health conditions tend to have higher self-esteem and be happier with their lifestyles, which can lead them to better relationships.