There are constant stream of advice today and millions of dollars of government money spent on telling you how to improve your health. But, the reality is we know very little about what being ‘healthy’ actually means. The truth is, whilst our physical fitness and is usually what we associate with being healthy, there are actually several other factors that add to our well being, so you might be healthier than you might think.
Intellectual Health
The key to intellectual health according to many people is simply the capacity to be constantly learning, whether it be at work or in your free time.
The ability to function cognitively and to develop yourself mentally is an essential part of the general well-being. In the modern world, with so many jobs focused around offices, computers and red tape the ability to constantly grow intellectuality can be a hard thing to find. Being mentally stimulated through constant improvement will fuel a person and often contribute to far more success in personal relationships as a result.
Emotional Health
Being able to deal with emotionally strenuous situations is another pillar of strong health. The ability to remain balanced and calm in the face of adversity is an extremely valuable asset and one that will bolster both your personal and professional lives.
By contrast, a lack of emotional health can lead to some very debilitating disorders such as depression and extreme anxiety. The key to maintaining emotional health has a great deal to do with developing a strong communication network that a you feel comfortable with, whether this be friends, family or a partner. A lack of emotional health can be treated professionally, but to varying degrees.
Social Health
Linked to emotional health, social health is the ability to build and maintain satisfying relationships in both your professional and personal life. This is essential as being socially accepted has a tremendous effect on both your professional and your romantic relationships. Fortunately, the ability to function healthily within society is something that can be developed and learned over time.
Physical Health
There is no denying the many benefits that come with being very physically fit, which as everyone know is achieved through a healthy diet and a strong exercise regime. Someone who is very athletically fit is likely to have higher self-esteem as a result, not to mention a lower propensity to depression. Energy levels are also much higher in those with strong levels of fitness. Physical health also extends to your oral health which if neglected can have a dramatic effect on your esteem, physical and even social health; which makes a visit to Kool Smiles even more important. You can keep an eye on your physical health through regular doctor and dental check ups.
Spiritual Health
Spiritual health doesn’t necessarily mean possessing a personal faith (although that certainly is how many people see it). However, spiritualism is certainly linked to the personal fulfilment we feel through standing by our own individual ethics and the way in which we relate to the world. Thompson Rivers University defines spiritual health as “discovering a sense of meaningfulness in your life, and knowing that you have a purpose to fulfil, whether it be growing in your personal relationships with others, or finding peace with nature”. This is without doubt the most underestimated pillar of health.