Health is a condition of mental, physical and social well being in which infirmity and illness are absent. A healthy person is capable of exercising control over his or her mind, body and spirit, in harmony with the surroundings. Health requires you to be socially, physically and mentally wholesome. It is an integrated concept that comprises of a person’s life history, personality, physical constitution, psychology and habits.
There is no space for error in the physical environment; everyone is responsible for his or her health through their lifestyle choices. There are some types of illnesses that are life threatening requiring immediate medical attention. Therefore, it becomes essential to practice good health practices to avoid getting involved in such life threatening illnesses. Some people are more prone to sickness and ailments that could lead to their death if proper care and precautions are not taken.
An individual’s general health is affected by the total quality of his life and is not just limited to his physical well being. The definition of good health includes a balanced combination of knowledge, ideas and values, social relationships, work and leisure. An individual’s behavior is also reflected in his mind, spirit and body. Therefore, one’s behavior should be such that it contributes to his overall health. One must learn to adopt new ways of living healthy and productive lives by avoiding vices, alcohol, tobacco and drugs and adopting a healthier lifestyle. These new ways of living can contribute to a higher level of wellness through a healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management, yoga and meditation.
A mental and physical imbalance is prevalent among the masses and is a leading cause for many health problems. Stress is one of the major causes of poor health and poor physical well-being, and the main culprit in causing mental disorders. Stress has a profound effect on the entire physical, emotional and mental well being of an individual. It leads to high blood pressure, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of sleep and concentration and can even lead to serious diseases like heart attacks, strokes and mental disorders.
Mental health is largely affected by both external and internal factors. An individual’s ability to react and handle stressors is largely determined by his emotional and mental state. On the other hand, physical illness mostly affects the body and is caused by malfunctioning of the physical system. When a person is unable to perform basic functions like breathing or moving his limbs, his state of health is affected. Hence, it is important to manage stress, control high levels of temperature, immune function and maintain a good health status.
The most critical aspect in maintaining good health and a sound physical condition is an individual’s lifestyle. A person can live a long life if he is able to manage his physical and mental illness, but he can also suffer fatal consequences if he does not take adequate care of his health. Regular visit to a physician and regular use of medical care can reduce the severity and frequency of illness. In addition, lifestyle modifications can help you cope with any type of illness and prevent it from coming back again.