Healthy habits, such as eating well and exercising regularly, can improve your health. But there are other factors that also play a role, like your work environment, social support networks and personal behaviors.
The definition of health is a crucial point of departure for addressing issues of disparity in health. Several different definitions exist, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Physical Health
Physical health refers to the condition of a person’s body and the efficiency of its organs and systems. It can be measured on a spectrum from optimal to poor health2.
Optimal physical health is defined as having high energy levels, few chronic health conditions, and an ability to perform daily activities without limitation. Those with poor physical health experience frequent illness and struggle to engage in daily life activities.
Good physical health is influenced by several factors, including movement, nutrition, sleep, and mental wellbeing. Maintaining a healthy balance of each can decrease your risk of disease, improve your mood and mental clarity, and increase your overall quality of life.
Mental Health
Mental health is the foundation for emotions, thinking, communication and relationships. It also helps people to learn, adapt and cope with adversity.
While many people experience ups and downs, it’s important to know the difference between normal mood fluctuations and a disorder that requires treatment. Behavioral health disorders can affect how you feel and think, and may cause distress or make it hard to function at home, school or work.
People can have a variety of risks and protective factors that influence emotional well-being, including lifestyle, genetics, environment and traumatic life events. Some individuals are at higher risk for developing a mental illness than others, but everyone has the ability to be healthy. Addressing and eliminating stigma is a key step toward improving mental health and reducing discrimination. The goal is to help individuals reach their full potential, live with hope and contribute to their families, communities and society. This requires a holistic approach that includes prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Social Health
While physical health focuses on the body, social health relates to our connections and relationships. Social health includes things like how often you spend time with friends, family and other people in your community. It also relates to the quality of those connections, such as whether you feel happy and supported by the people around you.
Anthropology, sociology, political science and other social sciences have contributed to the understanding of how broad social processes affect population-level health trends. Historical studies of societal responses to various health threats offer insights as well, such as the way competing social constructions of tuberculosis shaped societal response at different times in history.
Social determinants of health are non-medical, societal factors that influence well-being, such as income, education and neighborhood quality. Addressing differences in these determinants accelerates progress toward health equity, in which everyone has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential for healthy and productive lives.
Emotional Health
Emotional health includes a sense of personal well-being, regulating emotions and having healthy relationships. It also helps you bounce back from disappointments and challenges in life.
Having good emotional health doesn’t mean you never feel sad, anxious or stressed, but that you learn to manage those feelings and find ways to communicate them with others. People who prioritize their emotional wellness may engage in self-care activities like meditation, expressing their feelings and practicing mindfulness. They may also develop and maintain supportive relationships by connecting with a trusted friend or mental health professional.
Taking care of your emotional health can be just as important as your physical or mental health, but often is overlooked. When you make it a priority, you’re better equipped to handle stress and anxiety, cultivate positive relationships and achieve your goals. Learn six more tips for prioritizing your emotional health here. And for a deeper dive, explore the science-backed strategies in MartyAI’s free digital health platform.