by CNSCSNS | Mar 14, 2021 | What defines 'good health'?
“It is hard to over-emphasize the importance of one’s health in this precious, fragile, and short existence that we all take a swing at. The cliche phrase, ‘Health is Wealth’ is truly the case. More than money, material things, exciting plans, or anything else really, our health is the most valuable currency. That goes for physical, mental, and emotional health. But what exactly do we mean by ‘health’?
As I see it, health is multi-faceted. As human beings, besides certain anomalies such as wisdom teeth, appendicitis’, etc, we have evolved to survive and thrive in our Earthly environment. It is largely human-induced blockages that impede this connection and balance. Blockages such as mental illness, poor diet, lathargic lifestyles, and societies designed in disconnection from Earth and each other (to name a few). In other words, we pulled ourselves out of the universal flow of alignment and created an alternative model hung together by sticks and glue.
This being said, we have the capacity to make the necessary adjustments to re-align in good all-around health. We can treat our bodies better – with more exercise, play, a better diet, more physical intimacy, etc. We can treat our mind better with practices of mindfulness, gratitude, compassion, etc. We can restore emotional stability with these practices as well. All of these facets of ‘wellbeing’ are profoundly interconnected. They affect each other. So it really takes all of the parts moving in harmony to emerge a fully-healthy being.
We all have the capability to imagine, practice, and restore ‘good health’. From here, we can not just survive but thrive. The human capability is boundless. I hope there comes a day where our species aligns in this state of wellbeing.”
by Greg A | Mar 14, 2021 | What defines 'good health'?
“Wellbeing [ noun ] – the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy. This is what the Oxford English Dictionary defines as wellbeing, but what does that actually mean? The short answer is… well, there is no short answer! What one person feels is their perfect state of wellbeing may be completely different from another person. This stands to reason as we all have different goals, ambitions and personalities.
Each aspect of being comfortable, healthy and happy also has many different facets that can be taken subjectively. For example, the English Oxford Dictionary’s definition mentions happiness. However, wellbeing as a concept is much broader than this and has been debated since the Third Century BC. The Philosopher Aristotle came up with the concept of Eudaimonia – the contented state of feeling healthy, happy and prosperous. Even though happiness is an integral part of your personal wellness, it includes other things such as the fulfillment of long-term goals, your sense of purpose and how in control you feel in life.
The meaning of wellbeing is multidimensional
An overall sense of wellness will not be achieved without having a balance in these key elements:
- Physical. This includes lifestyle choices that affect the functioning of our bodies. What we eat and how active we are will affect our physical wellbeing.
- Emotional or psychological. This is our ability to cope with everyday life and reflects how we think and feel about ourselves.
- Social. This is the extent that we feel a sense of belonging and social inclusion. The way we communicate with others, our relationships, values, beliefs, lifestyles and traditions are all important factors of social wellbeing.
- Spiritual. This is the ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life. Achieved through being connected to our inner self, to nature or even a greater power.
- Intellectual. It is important to gain and maintain intellectual wellness as it helps us to expand our knowledge and skills in order to live an enjoyable and successful life.
- Economic. Economic wellness, in short, is our ability to meet our basic needs and feel a sense of security.
The world we live in is complex. Understanding the requirement of wellness and the factors that influence this state, whether as an individual, community or nation, helps us to work together to improve the quality of our lifestyles. Five simple ways to improve our overall wellness are:
Connect – talk and listen to others and always live in the moment.
Be active – do what you can and enjoy what you do.
Take notice – remember the simple things that give you joy.
Keep learning – embrace new experiences and seek new opportunities.
Give – give people your time, your words and your presence.
“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind and spirit. The realisation that everything we do, think, feel and believe has an effect on our wellbeing”
by Lauren H | Mar 14, 2021 | What defines 'good health'?
“What does being healthy mean to you? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “complete physical, mental, and social well-being – and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” But research suggests that, despite this, Americans may still define health in a narrow way.
In new research presented during the Diet and Exercise in a Social World session at the SPSP Annual Convention today, Danielle Boles and her colleagues asked Americans what being healthy means. People overwhelmingly mentioned “the absence of illness,” neglecting other factors. In some cases, Americans defined health as what they did not have. For instance, people who defined health as “mental balance” were those who worried the most and got the least sleep. Could defining health by what we’re struggling to get lead to stress, ultimately undermining health?
We may also have narrow ideas about where we can be healthy. The WHO stresses that physical activity is crucial for health – but exercising seems unusual in many everyday settings. Research by Andrew Ward found that people view exercise as something that you can’t do everywhere. For instance, people reported that it would be almost as unusual to see someone doing jumping jacks in an airport as someone setting a car on fire! This might stop people from thinking about everyday opportunities for exercise.
Many health messages target obesity. For instance, the WHO calls it a global epidemic. Obesity is indeed one of America’s biggest health problems. But focusing on weight might have unintended consequences. Overweight people face social disapproval, such as being seen as lazy, weak-willed, or worthless. Research by Angelina Incollingo Rodriguez and others suggests that dealing with social disapproval could make overweight people unhealthier. The researchers gave people with normal body weight the experience of being overweight by having them wear fat suits. When wearing a fat suit, people ate more unhealthy food: 191 more calories of M&Ms, potato chips, and soda. Focusing too much on weight in definitions of health might lead to a vicious cycle.
So what can we do? Broadening definitions of healthiness to might have benefits. A growing body of researchshows that social ties are as important for our health as diet and exercise. Boles and her colleagues explored whether people see what you have to do to be healthy as “social” or “isolating.” When people believed health is social, rather than isolating, they had healthier behaviors. The importance of social connection has become a focus of some recent healthcare campaigns. Kaiser Permanente’s “Thrive” campaign features ads that say “Make time for we time” and “Hugs are healthy.”
Acknowledging the role that our social lives play in healthcare settings could be one important step forward for healthcare in the United States.”
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