The Impact of Well-Being on Well-Being

According to the World Health Organization, “health is a condition of full physical, emotional and social well being and not just the absence of illness and infirmity.” A number of definitions have been applied to health throughout the history of mankind. We are all familiar with the dictionary definition which states, “health is wealth”. We often equate having health with wealth, but what if we took that further and added the word “quality”. Quality health includes having a good body system, strong joints, healthy skin, hair, and teeth. A good and healthy body will lead to a person to be active and live happily.

Mental health is a lesser known yet very important aspect of the well-being. People with mental health issues often have problems with their relationships, career, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and moodiness. Mental disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders can cause major health complications and sometimes irreversible damage to the person’s health and well being. Mental health includes effective coping skills, positive self image, successful career, and positive outlook in life.

Physical health refers to your general health. Having proper nutrition and exercise forms the basis of good physical health. A person with an optimal and healthy physical health has high levels of energy, does not feel drained, and is able to live a long, happy and productive life. This type of well-being also contributes to a person’s mental well being and therefore plays a significant role in preventing mental illness.

Social interactions include the family, workplace, and community. A healthy relationship is crucial to every individual’s physical, emotional, and mental health. A healthy and functional family and workplace fosters interpersonal relationships which create positive mental health and promote personal growth. A healthy social environment is necessary for maintaining productivity and eliminating workplace violence.

Every individual is an endocrine system that is directly affected by environmental factors such as stress, sunlight, salt, chemicals, and food. The presence of such factors alters the body’s normal chemical balance resulting in adverse effects on the body. Individuals are exposed to a wide range of diseases and conditions every day and it becomes difficult to maintain a healthy level of hygiene. These factors also hinder individuals from living a healthy lifestyle leading to complications such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Some of the environmental factors that affect the human health are tobacco smoke, ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, household chemicals, and radiation from technology.

There are a number of governmental organizations dedicated to improving the quality of the public health system in the United States. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease (NIAMS), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) are some of the government agencies that provide support for research into public health. These organizations have made major contributions towards achieving the well-being of the nation’s population. In addition to basic health research, these organizations also conduct clinical trials to test new treatments for various diseases and improve the overall health of the nation. The mission of these organizations is to promote better living conditions for all living things and ensure the quality of life is maintained at all times.