The Relationship Between Well-Being and Health

Health is a condition of physical, mental and emotional well being in which infirmity and illness are absent. The four facets of health include physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects. A number of different definitions have been employed over the years for purposes of specifying the quality of health. Some psychologists would define health as a state of optimum functioning in which there are no physical or mental barriers to flourishing.

According to these psychologists, good health conditions result from a combination of healthy practices such as proper diet and regular exercise, as well as social supports such as positive relationships with others and a caring attitude towards one’s own health. In addition, according to some medical scientists, psychological well-being is also related to physiological well-being, where stress management techniques, relaxation techniques, and coping mechanisms may help to reduce the impact of common illness and disease on the psychosocial well-being. Psychologists who are examining the relationship between health and mental well-being have found that patients who suffer from common illnesses such as heart disease, asthma, and hypertension show less psychological well-being than those who do not. Similarly, patients who suffer from stroke or brain tumor have shown poor psychological well-being, compared to those who are in good health.

A better understanding of the relationship between wellness and personal health has lead to the development of several important concepts such as healthy eating and exercise, healthy relationships, and emotional health. Healthy eating refers to consuming food in moderation, the primary source of nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, that sustains and promotes health. In contrast, an unhealthy diet consists of eating too much food that is not necessary and that leads to an imbalance of nutrients and calories leading to obesity, which in turn can lead to various health problems. Exercise is the routine activity of going through physical motions in order to achieve normal body movements. Most experts agree that a daily exercise program is most beneficial for maintaining fitness and strength, as well as reducing the risk of developing health conditions like diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Creating a good environment for physical wellness is also important in creating a good health status. Creating a healthy lifestyle choices can be achieved by making changes in one’s diet and physical environment and also making some lifestyle choices that promote health such as getting sufficient sleep and limiting alcohol consumption. In most cases, changes in diet and physical environment may not be enough to create a healthier lifestyle. It is necessary to incorporate changes in one’s lifestyle choices to obtain good health. These lifestyle choices include reducing the amount of stress in one’s life, adopting a balanced diet, and participating in regular exercise.

Developing mental health refers to managing one’s emotions, including depression, anxiety, stress, and anger. The relationship between mental health and physical health is very strong and each influences the other. Stress and depression can affect the body’s ability to function properly and reduce the quality of life. Other health issues such as anxiety and insomnia can also reduce the quality of life. Mental well-being is influenced by a person’s beliefs and attitudes towards health, their social support network, physical health, and well-being.

Physical well-being refers to the capacity to endure pain, disease, and injury and to cope with day-to-day tasks. People who are physically healthy have higher levels of energy, better immune system, and a higher level of mental well-being. Depression is the most common mental health disorder. A person may have a physical illness that affects their mental health; however, this does not always mean that their mental health will deteriorate. In some cases, people develop mental illnesses such as depression because of the stress associated with their physical health issues.