Health is a condition of overall physical, mental and emotional well-being where infirmity and illness are absent. Different definitions have also been used over the years for various purposes. The dictionary definition of health is: being fit, healthful, and of good psychological disposition. According to the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator definition, the most crucial components for a person to have optimal health is emotional balance, adequate resources (housing, food, health, and friends), and a positive mental attitude.
The goal of mental health and wellness is to foster well-being, or the ability to be satisfied with one’s life and interactions with others. Mental wellness extends well beyond the absence of mental health problems or disability. The concept of mental wellness is an interdependence between personal values, coping mechanisms, interpersonal relationships, and the availability of resources (emotional, environmental, physical, and support network). It also involves emotional intelligence, which refers to the capacity to regulate emotional stress.
The goal of physical health is to maintain proper functioning of the organs, systems, and tissues. These organs, systems, and tissues are vital in the control of body processes, and their disorders can result in severe disabilities and sometimes in death. A well-balanced system is the foundation for achieving good health status, as it consists of the total combination of the total conditions of health including the availability of nutrients, immune support, and supportive conditions, all of which are necessary in order to maintain the well-being and health of the entire body.
A well-balanced physical and mental health promotes good health status by reducing the risks of getting diseases and preventing the development of new diseases. It also prevents emotional disorders, which can result in poor mental health. To attain good health status, the society has to provide support systems, such as schools, community organizations, and family members and friends. In addition, individuals have to work on their self-promotion to improve their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Mental wellness, on the other hand, refers to the state of an individual’s mind, which is equivalent to physical wellness, because a person with a healthy mind can also have healthy physical health. Mental illnesses are associated with faulty understanding of reality and personal values, as well as emotional immaturity and vulnerability. Spiritual wellness aims at promoting mental health through appropriate use of religious activities, practices, and beliefs and the promotion of social connections with like-minded people.
Both physical and mental wellness depend on adequate levels of nutrition, cleanliness, basic sanitation, cleanliness, and freedom from physical pain, injury, and disease. Health promotion is part of the public health system that aims to improve health through prevention and elimination of diseases and preventable conditions. It includes services such as promoting awareness of the hazards of obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases; promoting healthy diet, limiting or preventing access to tobacco and alcohol; encouraging exercise and fitness; and providing public education about the proper use and benefits of many preventive and curative services.