The word health comes from the Old English word “hale”
meaning “wholeness, a being whole, sound or well.” Health is defined as the general condition of
the body (Merriam-Webster) and a state of complete physical, mental or social
well-being (Wikipedia). This shows that
the body is intended to be examined as a whole and not in bits and pieces.
The only
way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t
like, and do what you’d rather not. – Mark Twain
Your physical health is the body’s ability to
function without restrictions on a daily basis.
Your eyes can see, your ears can hear and your legs can walk, jump,
run. Physical health is the most vital
element of your overall health.
Some ways to maintain your physical health are
by:
- Keep fit by regular exercise – Your will have more energy, maintain your weight or lose weight, increase your confidence and battle chronic diseases. The general goal is to try to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
- Avoid tobacco, alcohol and drugs – They interfere with messages to the brain and alter perception.
- Maintain your ideal body weight – this is measured by height and female/male
- Eat a balanced meal – Oil, margarine, reduced fat spread, butter, sugar should all be eaten in small amounts; lean meat, eggs, fish, chicken, yogurt, milk, cheese should be eaten moderately; vegetables, beans, cereals, fruit, rice, lentils, bread should be eat most.
- Practice good grooming habits – be neat & properly dressed, bathe daily, care for teeth and gums, good posture
- Get plenty of rest – your body likes routines, so try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day; amount of sleep depends on age, health, genetics but typically 7-8 hours.
Take care
of your body with steadfast fidelity. The soul must see through these eyes
alone, and if they are dim, the whole world is clouded. – Johann Wolfgang Von
Goethe
Your mental health is how you think, feel &
cope with daily life, being able to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s the way you express your emotions and
adapt to a range of demands.
Some ways to maintain your mental health are by:
- Develop thinking and decision making skills and strive to learn new information
- Take responsibility for decisions, feelings and actions
- Control and fulfill desires and impulses in an appropriate manner
- Function and interact effectively with others
- Adapt to change
- Care for yourself and others and give and accept love
- Deal with situations that cause anxiety, disappointment and frustration
- Learn how to deal with life’s problems and ways to deal with stress
Some ways to maintain your social health are by:
- Getting along with family and friends
- Make and keep friends
- Work well in groups
- Disagree without fighting
- Give and get support when needed
Your health triangle is made of 3 equal sides:
physical, mental and social health. This
helps you keep all aspects of your life and health in balance with each
other. They are all equally important to
maintain the best health. If one side is
neglected or overly emphasized, the other sides will suffer. For example, a person who is strict about
their diet and exercise often neglects socializing with friends because s/he doesn't want to miss a workout. This
person may also avoid having dinner with friend because of this strict
diet. This may lead to loneliness.
Although you are taught to think in terms of
pieces and parts when it comes to your body, our body, mind and emotions
together form the whole person. Physical
health is connected to mental and social health.
The secret
of health for both mind and body is not to mourn the past, not to worry about
the future, or not to anticipate troubles, but to live the present moment
wisely and earnestly. – Siddartha Guatama Buddha
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