In the past, health was defined as the absence of disease or impairment. But this definition can be misleading.
Many factors increase a person’s chance of developing a disease, including genetic makeup and environment. Some of these factors are within a person’s control, such as not smoking or avoiding radon exposure.
Physical
Physical health represents one dimension of total well-being and involves the body’s ability to function. A person’s physical health is influenced by many factors, including genetics and the environment. People can take steps to protect their physical health through a balanced diet, regular exercise and sufficient sleep.
Achieving and maintaining good physical health requires a team effort. It involves sleeping 7-9 hours each night, eating balanced meals and snacks and staying physically active. It also means managing any chronic health conditions and seeking medical care when needed.
Achieving and maintaining good physical health can be challenging for some individuals due to environmental obstacles like a lack of time or money. Fortunately, technology and educational methodologies are evolving to make it easier for students to stay healthy and active.
Mental
Mental health includes emotional well-being and influences how you think, feel and behave. It affects how you cope with life’s challenges and how you interact with others.
Having a mental illness can be challenging, but many people recover and live productive lives. There are many different types of treatment, including talk therapy and medications. It’s important to stick with your treatment plan, even if you’re feeling better.
Risk and protective factors at the individual, family, community and societal levels influence mental health. These include things like having a job, education, safe housing, healthy relationships, meaningful paid and volunteer activities and self-care. Global threats such as disease outbreaks, climate change and conflict can also impact mental health by heightening stress and vulnerability. These factors can be at local or global scales and affect people of all ages, income levels and cultures. They can also increase the impact of trauma and violence on mental health.
Social
Social health is the aspect of well-being that comes from connection. It is the under-appreciated complement to physical and mental health. Decades of research prove that a priority on connection can help you live longer and better.
Social relationships–both quantity and quality–affect mental health, health behaviors, and physical health and mortality risk. A growing body of theoretical and empirical research demonstrates that these effects emerge in childhood and cascade throughout the life course, fostering cumulative advantage or disadvantage for health across the population.
A range of psychosocial mechanisms explain how a high quality and quantity of social connections promotes health. For example, supportive ties may reduce stress and improve self-efficacy (Cohen 2004). Other ties may reduce health risks through a sense of personal control or symbolic meanings and norms (Uchino 2006). Social structures such as age, class, race, and gender also influence the way in which ties impact health. Research is needed to better understand how these factors interact to shape the relationship between social ties and health, especially at the population level.
Spiritual
Spiritual health is a sense of meaning and purpose in life that helps people cope with stress and maintain balance. It is a combination of personal religious beliefs and practices with the belief in a higher power.
Spirituality is a deep well that many people draw upon during times of crisis and unrest. It is often a source of comfort and a sense of connection with others and a greater reality. When it is directed with intentional practice, it can reduce negative emotions and increase acceptance of a situation.
Research shows that a healthy spirit leads to better mental and physical health. This is why many patients are encouraged to explore their spirituality as part of their treatment plan. Spiritual assessments can help providers learn more about a patient’s worldview and personal history. Meditation, imagery, and group support can also address some components of spiritual health.