Health is a condition where disease and infirmity are absence. Over the years, various definitions have been applied for different purposes. Some of the meanings for “health” include the absence of sickness, the absence of disease, sound health, the absence of infirmity and indigence.
A lot of research has been done to define what constitutes good health. Experts came up with a list of ten universal values that could be considered to represent general health conditions. These are physiological health, mental health, social support, emotional health, cognitive function, physical functioning, generalized health, essential joint protection and self care.
Health and well-being are necessary for people to live a healthy lifestyle. The lack of it may lead to sickness, disability, mortality, and disability income. Some of the illnesses or the physical disorders that can negatively affect an individual include depression, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, migraine, asthma, cardiovascular problems, sleep disorders and auto-immune disorders. Mental wellbeing is the ability to cope and deal with changes and difficulties and the ability to make choices well. The mental aspects of one’s life include one’s attitudes, values and personality, which are influenced by personal experiences and environment.
It is important to note that there is overlap between the concept of mental health and physical health. A person with both physical and mental illness is said to have poorer coping and inhibit their capacity to function well in everyday situations. Likewise, the presence of a co-morbid illness can cause the onset of a physical illness. In addition, a person who has a history of alcohol or drug abuse may develop a mental illness. There are several interrelated illnesses that are associated with each other and can be a source of stress and frustration for the person who is afflicted by it.
Financial health refers to a person’s ability to meet his/her basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing and education. When someone has a healthy, functional and financially sound physical health, he/she is also able to meet his basic needs with ease. However, when a person does not have a sound financial health, then it can be very difficult for that person to meet his basic needs. As a result, one’s health and functionality are affected as well as his/her financial health. Therefore, maintaining a sound and healthy financial health is very important for an individual to lead a productive life.
Both of these concepts can be applied together to achieve the ultimate goal of achieving health and wellness in a person. A healthy diet and a sound mental health can go hand in hand to achieve better overall health. To maintain a healthy diet, one should pay close attention to his/her daily food intake. In addition, a healthy diet should include a good amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish and poultry products, low-fat dairy products and low-fat meats. A healthy lifestyle would generally mean a person is able to get all of the nutrients he/she needs from the food he/she eats.