Maintaining a Healthy Definition of Well Being

Health, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a state of full physical, mental and emotional well-being and not just the absence of illness and disease. Over time, various definitions have also been used for the same purpose. Some people would consider health to be the absence of all illness and disease, while others would look at it as the absence of death. Still others would look at it as a state that can be achieved by making healthy choices and lifestyle choices. If you would like to live a healthy life, here are some things that you should know about health.

Mental health refers to your ability to live your life well. It therefore encompasses your ability to think, reason, analyze, evaluate, and communicate, and has everything to do with your ability to learn, share and take control of your life. Mental health is important because it affects your ability to do everyday activities such as getting up in the morning, functioning within a team, working in an organized environment and leading a life that is productive and meaningful. According to some studies, people who are mentally healthy are happier, healthier and more productive than those who are unhealthy. Being physically healthy refers to having the ability to move around and walk, breathe, hear, see and touch your own body and to do the things that you need to do on a daily basis.

The definition of healthful lifestyle refers to having a balanced diet, moderate in alcohol consumption and smoking, exercising regularly and consuming prescribed medications properly. Having a well-balanced diet includes eating foods from each group of the food pyramid, carbohydrates, protein, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fats and other dairy-related products. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle means that you should eat less fat, more fiber, fewer sugar and fewer calories, and should avoid or limit the intake of saturated fat, salt and processed foods. Alcohol consumption should be limited to less than one alcoholic drink per day and smoking should be avoided. A well-balanced diet will improve your self-esteem, make you feel lighthearted, boost your immune system, aid weight loss, prevent cancer, promote longevity, reduce blood pressure and diabetes, as well as lowering cholesterol.

The definition of mental health may include the ability to learn, concentrate, focus, solve problems, make decisions, learn from failures, learn from your successes, and have good relationships with others. It also includes having emotional intelligence, ability to problem solve, learn from personal experience, ability to create and pursue happiness, compassion, sense of humor, ability to make decisions in safe and sound environments, creativity, persistence, positive attitudes and resilience. Having emotional intelligence can be defined as the ability to understand how and why we feel angry, sad, happy, scared, or tired, among other things. Emotional health may also include having strong relationships with friends, family, co-workers and colleagues. Having strong relationships with your caregivers helps you take good care of yourself.

The definition of physical health is well being with no restrictions on your eating, drinking, or physical activity. This definition excludes self-limiting factors such as weight gain, pregnancy, and limits regarding exercise. As long as you meet the guidelines for a healthy definition of physical health, you are well on your way to a good mental, physical, and emotional well being.

Maintaining a good health may not be easy and it may not be achieved in a short time span. However, if you stick to the guidelines of a definition of health and work on the components listed above, you will soon find yourself living a mentally and physically fit life. When you do, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you have made some progress in your efforts to live a better life.