In modern times, we have witnessed a significant shift in the view of health and wellness. This has mainly been as a result of the awareness that has been created by various organizations championing for healthy living as well as our experiences. In this assignment, we shall discuss the aspect of human health and wellness, the various dimensions of health and wellness, factors that affect this issue, importance of being healthy as well as ways of maintaining health and wellness.
The world health organization defines health as a state of complete mental, social and physical wellbeing and is not merely the absence of infirmity or disease (WHO, 1946). The Alliance institute of integrative medicine defines wellness as a much more than just a state of physical health. It’s a whole issue that encompasses clear thinking, emotional stability, ability to love, spirituality among others.
There are several dimensions of health and wellness and these include social, physical, spiritual, intellectual as well as emotional wellness/health. On the social front, we should be able to relate well with others in all situations and should not exhibit any antisocial behaviors’. Physically, we should not present evidence of any defections, sickness, infirmity and related issues. On the dimension of spirituality, it’s common knowledge that human beings are spiritual in one way or another. This therefore means that we should not present evidence of peculiar spiritual characteristics. Emotionally, a healthy person should be able to exhibit stability in their emotional wellbeing, not being too emotionally dependent on friends or relatives. Intellectually, a healthy person should be able to exhibit intellectual capacity characteristic of a healthy person in a similar capacity. Therefore, people those exhibit behaviours that are contrary to the above characteristics show signs of ill health in these aspects.
There are several factors that influence our health and wellness. Key among these is genetics. Studies show that biological and genetic makeup affects our susceptibility to illnesses and chronic conditions.
Demographic factors also affect our health. Its common knowledge that some diseases affect the older people more than the young, while others may affect the males more than the females and vice versa. Geographical location is also another key factor. For instance, in sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is prevalent as compared to other parts of the world.
Lifestyles as well as environmental factors are other key determinants of our health and wellness. For instance, our diet, level of physical activity etc has significant impacts on ones health and wellness and needs close monitoring.
Income levels are also found to affect our health and wellness. People with the ability to afford medical care or afford fitness centre charges are likely to be healthier and well as compared to poor and malnourished lot who live at the poor neighborhoods.
The benefits that I gain by being healthy cannot be ignored. By being healthy, I am likely to live for a longer period than one that is not healthy. When I am healthy, I am able to do my duties without interruption, I am able to go to school, to do my assignments, to score good grades than one who is not healthy, and this, therefore underscores my need to be healthy.
If I am healthy and well, I am able to relate well with my friends and colleagues and fellow students, I am able to be emotionally stable, to be able to be emotionally independent, I will not get overly hurt by what my friends think about me and my esteem will be good, as opposed to someone who is not healthy and well.
If we are healthy and well as a nation or country, we are more productive in the contribution towards national economic growth by not only contributing to productivity but also reducing the amount of money that the government spends on the healthcare of her citizenry.
For us to stay healthy, we need to eat healthy foods, considering the nutritional content as well as balance. This means that we need to avoid MacDonald’s, fast foods like fries, burgers etc or at least take these in moderation. Secondly, frequent physical exercises are advised so as to keep the body healthy and flexible. Most importantly, for us to stay healthy and well, I have to live in an environment that ensures that social, spiritual and emotional health thrives.
Another aspect that can assist us to stay healthy is ensuring that we have adequate sleep. Its recommended that we sleep for at least 8 hours in a day as this ensures that the body relaxes and also energy is replenished after a heavy days work. This goes a long way in ensuring that we stay healthy and well. Lastly, regular check up to ascertain ones health is important in ensuring that one’s health is not compromised.
In concluding this essay, we note that our health and wellness is of utmost importance and needs to be consciously considered in all decisions that we make. In deciding what to eat, what to wear, where to go and what to do, we must consider the health implication of any of these activities. This is because; we must exercise responsibility for all aspects of our health and wellness.
References
WHO (1946) Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health
Organization as adopted by the International Health
Conference, New York.
Fitness facts, Adapted from: http://www.acefitness.org/fitfacts/fitfacts_list.aspx
Towards a uniform definition of health and wellness. Adapted from: http://www.fitness.gov/pcpfs_research_digs.htm
